View Full Version : Villas near lakes, or not?
Hi: Does anyone know if there is any insect problem with villas near lakes. Would I be better off to find one away from lakes? Looking to rent in June 08. Thanks.
caroline
19-05-2008, 02:06
All the pools have insect screens around them which keep out any 'critters' and although we're not on a lake we have stayed in homes backing onto lakes and have never noticed anymore insects there than anywhere else. If I were you I'd choose a villa based on the facilities and location and wouldn't give the insects another thought[msnsmile2]
florida4sun
19-05-2008, 02:07
A lake makes no difference to the amount of insects. All pool homes have a pool screen to keep them out anyway:)
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by JMor99
Hi: Does anyone know if there is any insect problem with villas near lakes. Would I be better off to find one away from lakes? Looking to rent in June 08. Thanks.
[/quote]
My home backs onto a lake and we never see any more insects than anywhere else. There's a lot of wildlife on a lake that's anxious to eat insects! If you rent a lake home then you're likely to see turtles, bass, egrets, heron, wild turkeys, numerous types of small birds, water snakes, alligators, raccoons and armadillo - all of whom use the lake for one reason or another.[msnsmile2][msnsmile2]
KarenScott
19-05-2008, 02:57
I too have a home on a lake and can only confirm what Carla has said. I notice no more insects around our home than other non lake homes that I have visited and stayed in however you will see more wildlife on and around the lake area making it a relaxing base for your Florida holiday.
mfairhurst
19-05-2008, 03:02
Most of homes in FLORIDA with pools have screens round them so you can sit out at night and not be bothered with insects of any kind .
It does not make any difference if you are near a lake or not so do not worry .
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx
I too have a home on two lakes (front and rear) and there are no bugs inside our pool net screen - I don't do bugs myself and I wouldn't have bought the house otherwise. [msnwink]
There's great fishing though and lots of other wildlife to spot including, in our case, ducks with ducklings as well as the usual lake life - we even have our own herd of deer! Our neighbor was telling me just yesterday that there's a a particularly huge turtle that's about four feet in length also that he's spotted. :)
sheenallan
19-05-2008, 08:02
Not that I am pregudiced (Spelling)? as we have a villa overlooking a small lake but i would go for one everytime,like blott we have a duck with ducklings and i have spent many a hour looking at them and all the other wildlife such as the ananga bird (spelling)? commanly known as the snake bird it dives down for fish and is under for ages when it comes to the surface it looks just like a snake that is about to strike,we have friends with a villa on Southern Dunes who have a privacy wall!! which they paid extra for and when they come to visit they spend most of the time just gazing at the lake.
Sheena.
SteveandJan
19-05-2008, 14:43
We too have a small lake and don't have problems with insects. We saw lots of turtles this Easter in the small lake to the rear of our villa. We love the view and wildlife. Hope this helps.
neild292
19-05-2008, 17:24
I agree with eveything the others have said; the pool screens mean the insects are not a problem and you get to see a lot more wildlife if you have a lake or conservation view
Neil and Sharon
Pegasus928
19-05-2008, 17:40
We always try to get a villa with a lake or conservation view (much nicer than watching other holiday makers swimming in their own pool only a few feet away) and have never had any problems with insects, bugs or otherwise.
We always tend to book a good couple of years out as these are the types of villas that go early - so I'm not sure how successful you will be getting one for June this year [msnoo]
Kenny
E. Cosgrove
20-05-2008, 11:41
I can only second what everyone else has said.
I do not have a lake close to my own home, but have visited many who have and have never noticed any difference. The pool screen does a wonderful job[msnsmile]
Choose the home that best suits your family's needs, and if that has a wnderful lake view, then enjoy it!:D
We have a lake at the rear and have no problem with flies, etc. As stated the pool screens keep all the insects out and the views and privacy make it one of our wants when we bought.
I think water attracts insects but to be fair if you stay in any home with gaps in their pool screens there is a chance some flies may get in.
sundowner
21-05-2008, 18:18
I have a terrible allergy to mosi and insect bites so have to be very careful.
The screen around the pools does do a very good job and should be ok. However, if I am near water go out of the screen I get bitten to death (I exagerate there, I have never died yet [msnsmile2]). Have found a repellent now that seems to keep them at bay unless I am walking by a lake etc and they always find the bit I have not sprayed.
The wildlife around the lakes are fascinating to watch too, so unless you have a bad allergy for when you go outdoors, I would say it would be a nice place to stay.
Robert5988
21-05-2008, 20:52
A question like the OP's on a Forum full of Villa Owners will get the 'Mandy Rice Davies' response!!
Anywhere near lakes in Florida(indeed most tropical/sub-tropical countries) and you get loads of insects - many that bite!!! In fact you have an insect problem everywhere in Florida - particularly at night - it is just that there are more near open water. So getting a Villa away from a lake will not solve your problem.
You simply have to take precautions, you don't leave windows open, sweep up any crumbs of food or the ants will find it, use insect repellent etc etc. The pool screens as stated above work well.
Katys Grandad
21-05-2008, 21:56
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by sundowner
The wildlife around the lakes are fascinating to watch too, so unless you have a bad allergy for when you go outdoors, I would say it would be a nice place to stay.
[/quote]
Of course, 1 of the reasons why there is so much wildlife near water is...lots of insects!!
I do find the screens to be a great help but if you're out of doors in the evening in any tropical climate, you're fair game.
steph_goodrum
21-05-2008, 21:59
Mary
Wold you believe one of the things recommended to keep the mossies at bay is Marmite (you eat it not put it on your skin) or Vitamin B6 tablets. If you Google it you'll find lots of research that supports it so if you like Marmite it's worth a try.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by sundowner
I have a terrible allergy to mosi and insect bites so have to be very careful.
The screen around the pools does do a very good job and should be ok. However, if I am near water go out of the screen I get bitten to death (I exagerate there, I have never died yet [msnsmile2]). Have found a repellent now that seems to keep them at bay unless I am walking by a lake etc and they always find the bit I have not sprayed.
The wildlife around the lakes are fascinating to watch too, so unless you have a bad allergy for when you go outdoors, I would say it would be a nice place to stay.
[/quote]
The best thing for keeping mossies away is Avon Skin so soft oil -yep really -and it smells okay too!
As for home near a lake -well my home backs onto one, so I may be prejudiced, but it is so beautiful -the early morning mist as the sun rises, the gentle breeze in the evening -and the open aspect-as well as the ducks and birds. I have stayed in both kinds of homes, and prefer the lake outlook -as for the mossies -well they'll find you in Disney more than by a netted pool cage!
Yuck. I'd rather have a close encounter with a mossie than eat marmite!
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by steph_goodrum
....one of the things recommended to keep the mossies at bay is Marmite (you eat it not put it on your skin) [/quote]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by sundowner
The wildlife around the lakes are fascinating to watch too, so unless you have a bad allergy for when you go outdoors, I would say it would be a nice place to stay.
[/quote]Of course, 1 of the reasons why there is so much wildlife near water is...lots of insects!!
I do find the screens to be a great help but if you're out of doors in the evening in any tropical climate, you're fair game.[/quote]That's not strictly so... herons, eagles, etc are there for the great fishing and aren't in the least bit interested in insects!
I've just returned from our home in Florida and we have an airboat pest service which goes onto our lakes regularly and sprays against mozzies in the breeding season.
Hence we've never been bitten in Florida. :) But we always are when visiting anywhere else, such as Europe. [msnsad]
Katys Grandad
22-05-2008, 09:21
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by sundowner
The wildlife around the lakes are fascinating to watch too, so unless you have a bad allergy for when you go outdoors, I would say it would be a nice place to stay.
[/quote]Of course, 1 of the reasons why there is so much wildlife near water is...lots of insects!!
I do find the screens to be a great help but if you're out of doors in the evening in any tropical climate, you're fair game.[/quote]That's not strictly so... herons, eagles, etc are there for the great fishing and aren't in the least bit interested in bsects!
I've just returned from our home in Florida and we have an airboat pest service which goes onto our lakes regularly and sprays against mozzies in the breeding season.
[/quote]
It's about the food chain. Of course those birds aren't there for the insects but it's 1 of the main reasons the fishing is so great! Just ask any fisherman what the most effective lure is and they'll tell you something that looks most like a flying insect. No doubt you've heard of Fly Fishing?
Interesting that they spray against insects when it isn't a problem.[msnwink]
steph_goodrum
22-05-2008, 11:36
Carla
You sound just like my brother!! I like it but I don't make a point of eating it before we go as there has never been a problem.
Btw we don't back onto a lake and have plenty of repeat guests so I woulnd't just go on the outlook but on the villa itself. Most people find they are so busy that nine times out of 10 you are looking out into darkness anyway so it's a bit academice if there is a lake there or not. Having said that I wouldnt worry about insects as Blott says because they spray they preempt any possible problems.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
Interesting that they spray against insects when it isn't a problem.[msnwink][/quote]This is done by the county on all lakes in the area, normally twice a year. I think it's called PREVENTION.
Dave
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
Interesting that they spray against insects when it isn't a problem.[msnwink][/quote]And perhaps that's the very reason why there isn't a problem? [msnwink]
Robert5988
22-05-2008, 12:25
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Perhaps that's the very reason why there isn't a problem?[/quote] Ah! so the fine mesh cages around swimming pools are not to counter the insect problem then!
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Robert5988
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Perhaps that's the very reason why there isn't a problem?[/quote]Ah! so the fine mesh cages around swimming pools are not to counter the insect problem then![/quote]Not specifically for lake homes Robert (which is what the question was about and what we're discussing here) - all pool homes have net screens as you already know, not just lake ones.
Actually, net screens are also part of the Residential Swimming Pool Regulations which insist that all pools are surrounded by at least a four feet high barrier. So, if you want lovebugs (non stinging) and a pool, then we'll probably all change to a four foot high fence, which will be much cheaper to erect and maintain! [msnwink]
sundowner
22-05-2008, 13:34
Thanks for the tip about the marmite. Actually perhaps that is what is working and not the spray I bought. I have marmite on my bagels at the villa almost every day.
I also started taking the vit B6 before we went to China as I had a pretty bad experience when we went last year. I had heard about the B6 and still take them now.
Sorry to veer off the lake thread a little.
orlandodaze
23-05-2008, 05:39
I love a villa with a lake view . my favourite was when I came down at 6.30 in the morning to see the wonderful sunrise and surperb colours on the lake . My family thought I was mad but who cares.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Carla
Yuck. I'd rather have a close encounter with a mossie than eat marmite!
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by steph_goodrum
....one of the things recommended to keep the mossies at bay is Marmite (you eat it not put it on your skin) [/quote][/quote]If you don't like eating it Carla, what about spreading it all over your body in the evenings to stop the critters biting you.[msnwink]
Julie Sayer
07-06-2008, 17:27
We own a property that has a lake at the back of it we have no problems with insects. We find the advantage of the lake is the wonderful wildlife which gives us hours of entertainment just watching there antics. It also gives such a lovely out look when your chilling out by the pool far better than being over looked by other houses and pools.
florida4sun
07-06-2008, 17:37
Steady.......[msnwink][msnwink]<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by domsterIf you don't like eating it Carla, what about spreading it all over your body in the evenings to stop the critters biting you.[msnwink][/quote]
I agree you can't beat a Lake View and the insects stay close to the Lake so it's not a problem - it's the 6 foot mice with the big ears you have to worry about [msnwink]