10,000 Islands and bugs............

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Sumner

Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
We are hopefully going to be in southern Florida and the Keys next fall between the 1st of October and the end of December. We would like to spend some of that time around the 10,000 Island area/Everglades. We realize that the bugs can be bad in that area and are trying to prepare for them there and elsewhere with a netting that will cover the cockpit either on anchorage or while motoring.

We'd like to go to that area while the water is still warm, so we can enjoy it and some of the beaches you guys have pointed out. I guess that is also the worst time for the bugs also. Bug wise is it going to make much difference if we went there first (first part of October) vs. say the first part of November? We could wait and do that area last in December, but that side is going to cool down faster than say the Biscayne Bay area down to Key West.

I see one option for us is to put in at Flamingo and work the 10,000 Island area and then down towards Marathon and on to Key West and back up to Biscayne Bay and finally back to Flamingo. Flamingo has the advantage of not costing us to leave the vehicle/trailer while we are out. Since this is our first experience in the ocean and that area I don't think we would feel comfortable leaving Flamingo and heading down and around to Marathon. Poking around the 10,000 Island area would maybe "feel" like not quite jumping right in.

The other option would be putting in over by Biscayne Bay and either leaving the vehicle/trailer with a friend or South Dade Marina and sailing around that area for a while. Then work south towards Marathon and then go up to the 10,000 Island area. Then back towards Marathon and down to Key West and finally back up to Biscayne Bay. This would put 10,000 Islands and any bugs there in the middle of the trip (November).

The last option would be from Biscayne Bay down to Key West and then to 10,000 Islands and then back to Biscayne Bay.

So the main question are the bugs that bad the first of October vs. November and December?

Sorry for the long post and feel free to give us you opinions on this.

Thanks

Sum and Ruth

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

Our Mac Pages

Mac Links
 
Bill1565

Bill1565

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Jan 22, 2008
1,483
Hunter 37 C sloop Punta Gorda FL
bugs are BAD in summer which runs till the end of hurricane season, late October here There exists screen for "no see ums" it helps, but you can see thru the screen an you can't see no see ums. Also we have had good results with the new bug lanterns and bug repelent smoky things. December is better time for 10,000 islands. Water is still warmfor people from the left coast It's 65 + now at Ft Myers.
 
Rick Webb

Rick Webb

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Jun 2, 2004
3,554
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
November

Anchored in Little Shark River Thanksgiving week a couple of years ago. As soon as we fired up the grill we were swarmed by gnats. During the day we were OK and dark was tolerable if we kept the lights out. Twilight was a bitch though. Avon's Skin-So-Soft works if you can stand the stuff.
 
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Patrick S/V Shangra-La

Patrick S/V Shangra-La

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Sep 6, 2007
324
Catalina 320 Gulfport, Fl
Love Skin So Soft

It does a great job as a bug repellent, but makes you smell like you have been in a french whore house. Not that I have ever been in a french whore house ;)
 
H

Hawk4661

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Jan 25, 2008
176
Hunter 25 -
Re: November

Hi Rick.....have you ever tried the fabric softeners you throw in the dyer. I have an open box in my cabin that works great for repeling all bugs/nats.I usually wipe my arms and legs in the evening and have no problems.
Amazing how good a job they do...mark<><

BTW...I may be coming down to Ft Walton the first week in march. I would like to meet you and talk to you about the B.E.E.R Ragtta in June if your home.
 
cephius (Dave)

cephius (Dave)

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May 25, 2004
958
Hunter 260 Pepin, WI
10,000 LAKES and bugs . . .

. . .that would be my summer in Minnesota. :evil:

I'm not fond of smearing all that stuff on my skin. I got a full mosquito suit. It looks like something a bee keeper would wear, but is much lighter. It works great for the twilight hours. It also looks mighty odd with just shorts underneath.

I doubt it would stop no-see-ums though.
 
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Chuckbear

Chuckbear

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Jan 3, 2009
821
Marine Trader 34 Where Ever I am
Keep in mind that many of the repellents that work for most insects don't phase the no-see-ums. The ONLY thing that helps will have DEET and dryer sheets and skinsosoft and all the rest will not even slow them down. Chuck
 
Rick Webb

Rick Webb

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Jun 2, 2004
3,554
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Mark in ARK

I think I'll be around. You bringing your boat?

Right now we have no kitchen so I'll not be allowed to go anywhere till that project is done but I think I'll have the cabinets in next week and I'll just be waiting on granite.
 
cephius (Dave)

cephius (Dave)

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May 25, 2004
958
Hunter 260 Pepin, WI
Summer,

It's called Bug Out from Outdoor Wear and lists as the original No-See-Um mesh. I don't recall where I got my set. We have Gander Mountain in town and Cabela's just an hour away.

I did a quick Google and came up with many hits, so its still available.
 
Sumner

Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
cephius (Dave) said:
Summer,

It's called Bug Out from Outdoor Wear and lists as the original No-See-Um mesh. I don't recall where I got my set. We have Gander Mountain in town and Cabela's just an hour away.

I did a quick Google and came up with many hits, so its still available.
Click to expand
Thanks Dave, we had found another one.....

http://www.muckbootsonline.com/BuzzOff_Shirt_p/sh200.htm

.....but not the Bug Out. I guess now we will just have to make a decision which might be best for us.

Sum and Ruth

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

Our Mac Pages

Mac Links
 
Sumner

Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
cephius (Dave) said:
The picture shows it stopping at the neck line. Be sure you get head coverage.
Click to expand
Thanks, yes we will get the head coverage and pants. I was thinking there might be times out here in the west when I'll have long sleeves and long pants on and just the head net might be fine by itself.

It looks like the Bug Out might have the head piece as part of the shirt??

kloudie1 thanks for the link,

Sum
 
Rick Webb

Rick Webb

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Jun 2, 2004
3,554
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Don't Count on a Tshirt as Protection

Those SOBs will bite right through it
 
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