Critters

#1 Postby **Cookiely** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 4:32 pm

A side effect of the hurricanes are the critters. Their driving me batty. I got stung this week by wasps and I am very vigilant about constantly checking for nests around the house. I guess they were misplaced. Next I have blisters from raking and the fire ants stung me. I had to take my mother to the physician because she got stung by hornets. My sister in law told me they saw something wierd yesterday. A thousand bees on a small branch of a tree were huddled in a ball. In the Tampa Trib they had an article on the mosquitos. They normally have 5,000 mosquitos in a trap, this week on one trap they counted (weighed) 2 million mosquitos in one trap. :eek:

I wore two of those mosquito repellers and sprayed with off and they still stung me. They are voracious. The neighborhood possum who I usually scare away by hissing at him, hissed back at me this morning. Guess he didn't like the hurricanes much! :lol:

Anyone else having any problems? I'm calling for a major CRITTER WATCH!

#2 Postby **feederband** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 4:38 pm

right now from some reason repellers are more like attracters. the 2 million count was in apoka florida.

Aimless · #3 Postby **Aimless** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 5:00 pm

We've encountered the million-ant march of the relocating fire ant beds, 3 rat snakes, unknown snake ( couldn't identify as I was running away as fast as possible), oppsums, coons, but, at least no bears (and we've been bear watching for weeks).

Bug spray, gloves and a watchful eye is about all I can suggest.

Guest · #4 Postby **Guest** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 5:15 pm

Well lets see:
Nassua County had a snake warning last week. I expect it to be reinstated.
I have seen a number of dead snakes on the road, which is good, they were all rattle snakes, and a dead one is the only good one I know.
The wasps have been everywhere, as well as the love bugs.
As for the ants, yep, I too have been eaten alive by them clearing some downed trees.
The animals, (wolves) have been really in tune lately. It's really strange being they normally sound like a couple of out of tune baritones.
But, otherwise, no lions, tigers or bears. I haven't seen a bear here for a few years, hopefully it stays that way!

#5 Postby **msbee** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 5:16 pm

after our hurricanes, the critter population was very lopsided. we saw more bugs and inscets than ever before. There were no birds left to eat them.
It took over a year before the balance of nature was once again balanced.

yzerfan · #6 Postby **yzerfan** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 5:36 pm

On the bright side, it's looking like the monarch butterfly migration was only moderately affected by Ivan. I've been seeing them in almost the usual late September/earlyOctober numbers.

jdray · #7 Postby **jdray** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 5:36 pm

Lots or snakes here in Clay County.

Had to kill a Juvenile Water Mocassin though (kinda sad). Was on the road near a neighbors driveway and wouldn't move.

I think a lot of the animals are having just as many issues as we are.

Lindaloo · #8 Postby **Lindaloo** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 5:42 pm

Any of you wonder where all the gators went? :eek:

Rainband · #9 Postby **Rainband** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 5:47 pm

jdray wrote:Lots or snakes here in Clay County.

Had to kill a Juvenile Water Mocassin though (kinda sad). Was on the road near a neighbors driveway and wouldn't move.

I think a lot of the animals are having just as many issues as we are.

I agree. They are and they were here first. I won't kill anything unless I have too.

Persepone · #10 Postby **Persepone** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 7:53 pm

Lindaloo, where did the gators go?

#11 Postby **decgirl66** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 8:11 pm

cookiely, that was funny about the possum hissing back at you! :lol:

although i am sure you didn't find it amusing!!

A lot more mosquitos than usual right now, doesn't help that I live right up the road from St Johns River!!

Lindaloo · #12 Postby **Lindaloo** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 8:13 pm

Persepone wrote:Lindaloo, where did the gators go?

Don't know. I was asking. :lol:

Guest · #13 Postby **Guest** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 8:14 pm

West Nile is a problem here in EC Fl. Three cases as of yesterday were reported in Rockledge. This could be a bad yr for these mosquito diseases.

Galvestongirl · #14 Postby **Galvestongirl** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 9:20 pm

Lots or snakes here in Clay County.

Had to kill a Juvenile Water Mocassin though (kinda sad). Was on the road near a neighbors driveway and wouldn't move.

I think a lot of the animals are having just as many issues as we are.
I agree. They are and they were here first. I won't kill anything unless I have too.

Uhh....I dont like snakes...and have no problem getting rid of them...no matter the means.

Agua · #15 Postby **Agua** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 10:11 pm

Galvestongirl wrote:
Lots or snakes here in Clay County.

Had to kill a Juvenile Water Mocassin though (kinda sad). Was on the road near a neighbors driveway and wouldn't move.

I think a lot of the animals are having just as many issues as we are.
I agree. They are and they were here first. I won't kill anything unless I have too.

Uhh....I dont like snakes...and have no problem getting rid of them...no matter the means.

Ahhh... Really, all snakes are beneficial, but I agree with you concerning moccasins and rattlesnakes. If they aren't poisonous though, I leave 'em alone (not that I go looking for poisonous snakes to kill, mind you).

Aimless · #16 Postby **Aimless** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 10:17 pm

Brevard County just reported another case of West Nile virus. ( local 11pm news)

nativeflacracker · #17 Postby **nativeflacracker** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 10:26 pm

I'm having a toad invasion in my yard, drives my dogs crazy and me too trying to keep them from licking them so they don't get sick. Also getting bit by mosquitos no matter how much spray I use, they are vicious! So far been lucky with no gators or snakes and I even have a canal out back! Just got power back this evening, I'm not going back outside for a week!

iluvseashore · #18 Postby **iluvseashore** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 11:10 pm

West Nile reported in Tampa as well. Very buggy here in Pinellas too!!!

#19 Postby **drudd1** » Fri Oct 01, 2004 5:37 am

Lindaloo wrote:Any of you wonder where all the gators went?

They are alive and well here. Most are in their usual haunts. Since the water levels are extremely high here, it is harder to spot them, since they have a lot of new territory around the shores of lakes and rivers that provide a lot of cover.

wolffeeder · #20 Postby **wolffeeder** » Fri Oct 01, 2004 8:56 am

Ants mostly. Those little black "crazy ants" decided the top of my refrigirator was a good nest site, even after I removed all the food and scrubbed it out. The thing was literally black with them.

My big dog who normaly stays outside now thinks he stays inside.

The poor birds had it bad, especialy after Frances. As the wind died down the ring necked turtle doves landed in my yard by the dozen, they were too tired and soaked to try to flee. You could walk right up to them, an the most they would do is slowly waddle off to behind a bush to hide. The local hawks had a feast on them right after both storms. But, quite a lot did manage to survive.

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