Fire Ants

[ashliejere]

So, I'm really alergic to fire ants. Since I live in Ohio, I've never had an issue with it but I'm worried about going on the CP in Flordia since Fire ants are in FL. I have a lot of family in FL and lived down there when I was a little kid. I had an issue once with fire ants in my diaper when I was a baby and I got really alergic...but I've never had an issue since (and I normally go down during the summer every few years or so). But, for some reason I'm a little nervous about being down in FL. for six months and exposing myself to fire ants now. Like I said I've never had trouble before with it..but normally I'm in Melbourne when I visit. I'm not sure if fire ants are all over fl. or in central places. I'm sure I'm worrying for nothing....but for some reason I'm just a little concerned with being down there for such a long time on my own (first time on my own too). Has anyone had a problem with fire ants in the apartments, at work, any place like that? I think just bc I'll be on my own for such a long time, for the first time I'm overly worried. So...it seems like a dumb question...but it would ease me a little to know that I don't need to worry.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I've done 3 CPs and never had an issue with ants of any kind (roaches yes, ants no). If you are severely allergic, make sure you have an epi pen, but really, they're nothing to worry about.

 

[ashliejere]

ew..roaches?? really?? in the apartments? is that a normal occurance??

 

[csaribay]

ew..roaches?? really?? in the apartments? is that a normal occurance??

In the four apartments I lived in, between Vista and Chatham... we never really had roaches or other type of pests.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

You are lucky then. This is Florida, there will be bugs. You can keep it to a minimum by doing your dishes, covering food, and keeping your apartment clean, but there will probably be bugs eventually. Out of three CPs, only one stands out for bugs, but that was when we had a roommate who would never even put her dishes in the dishwasher, just leave them out. They do spray on a regular basis, but you have to just leran to live with them in Florida. Of course, one time our neighbors had ducks in their apartment. How is that for an infestation?

My first CP I lived across from the pool in Vista. We had two ducks that lived there, one of my roommie's named them Gracie and George. One day our neighbors were hauling in groceries, left their door open, and Gracie and George waddled in and made themselves at home.

 

[csaribay]

My first CP I lived across from the pool in Vista. We had two ducks that lived there, one of my roommie's named them Gracie and George. One day our neighbors were hauling in groceries, left their door open, and Gracie and George waddled in and made themselves at home.

Ducks! Haha, that's fantastic!

 

[ashliejere]

My first CP I lived across from the pool in Vista. We had two ducks that lived there, one of my roommie's named them Gracie and George. One day our neighbors were hauling in groceries, left their door open, and Gracie and George waddled in and made themselves at home.

ha. aw. Ducks I could live with. it's just the roaches, huge spiders and fire ants that bother me.

 

[uptown_girl44]

ew..roaches?? really?? in the apartments? is that a normal occurance??

We had roaches in my chatham apartment when we first moved in. After we vaccuumed 4 of them came out from underneath the carpet. It was disgusting!

 

[ZoZo]

I lived in Florida for about a year. My recommendation about fire ants is to avoid walking on grass barefoot or in sandals - just keep your feet covered. You can't see the ants in the grass, but you can generally see them everywhere else they might be. We never had a problem with them in our apartment, just in the grass (where their anthills are).

Just to be safe, as someone else recommended, have your doctor prescribe you an EpiPen and keep it with you.

 

[Flower4Pwr]

I agree with everyone who is saying get an Epi-Pen. Also make sure you tell health services when you check in and your managers when you get to your work location. If you are going to be somewhere where you are around fire ants telling health services can help you get relocated, or at the very least it lets everyone know to take extra precautions!

And about the pests in the apartment...they spray for pests in the apartments monthly so you should be ok. And if you DO see any bugs if you call the front desk they will schedule an additional spraying. I've run into cockroach or two and they are GROSS! But I've been in 4 vista apartments and only seen a couple so it's not that bad!!