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We just checked out a house in Acton, and everything looks amazing, almost perfect for our home, except...there's a patch of small wet land right next to it. A seller's realtor made sure that there has been no drop of water got into the home this summer, but I'm still concerned about the potential flooding that will happen as a climate change gets worse. Also the stench is a common issue with wetlands apparently but I couldn't smell anything today when I was there. Plus I read it could be a breeding ground for mosquitos, which I'm concerned about too.
Are these a common problem with a house next to a wetland?
I'm kind of sad that we will probably have to give up on it since I fell in love with this house when I was visiting it...
Wetlands will indeed bring more mosquitoes. Stench, I dunno, some swampy areas do have an earthy smell from rotting organic matter, but not all.
If the house is at least 10 feet higher than the wetland, you don't necessarily have significant flooding risk there - I'd be more worried about being next to a creek subject to heavy spring flooding. I think you should be able to check FEMA flood maps? And I wouldn't worry about climate change - sea level may be slowly rising but that doesn't affect inland properties. Now, some areas may get more rain due to climate change, but I haven't yet heard that will be the case in Massachusetts. Wetlands often bring wildlife like wading birds, and can provide a nightly symphony of frog and bird calls - so there are benefits.
Wetlands will indeed bring more mosquitoes. Stench, I dunno, some swampy areas do have an earthy smell from rotting organic matter, but not all.
If the house is at least 10 feet higher than the wetland, you don't necessarily have significant flooding risk there - I'd be more worried about being next to a creek subject to heavy spring flooding. I think you should be able to check FEMA flood maps? And I wouldn't worry about climate change - sea level may be slowly rising but that doesn't affect inland properties. Now, some areas may get more rain due to climate change, but I haven't yet heard that will be the case in Massachusetts. Wetlands often bring wildlife like wading birds, and can provide a nightly symphony of frog and bird calls - so there are benefits.
Thank you so much for the reply! I feel a bit optimistic about it now. Are the snakes one of the potential wildlife components too as well in Massachusetts?
Thank you so much for the reply! I feel a bit optimistic about it now. Are the snakes one of the potential wildlife components too as well in Massachusetts?
You can have snakes in most any rural area, you don't need a wetland. There are two venomous snakes in Mass - rattlesnakes and copperheads. They aren't thick here though, and the rest can't hurt you. I like being outside, and I don't worry much about snakes. Snake bites are defensive, not offensive. Don't touch them, don't step on or next to them, and you're fine.
P.S. I found a Tufts page on Mass venomous snakes, and they have some info on our copperheads and rattlers. Both are endangered - reinforcing the idea they are uncommon, and they make the point that they are easily recognized by their large triangular heads. https://wildlife.tufts.edu/found-wil...enomous-snake/
Last edited by OutdoorLover; 09-11-2021 at 06:03 PM..
You can have snakes in most any rural area, you don't need a wetland. There are two venomous snakes in Mass - rattlesnakes and copperheads. They aren't thick here though, and the rest can't hurt you. I like being outside, and I don't worry much about snakes. Snake bites are defensive, not offensive. Don't touch them, don't step on or next to them, and you're fine.
Talk to the neighbors. If their is a flooding problem they will most likely tell you. Any house can get flooding if there is a ton of rain in a short period of time. Put in a sump pump with a battery back-up. Check the grading around the house and gutters.
Your chances of running into a venomous snake in metro Boston are slim. Snakes in general are useful as they keep the rodent populous in control.
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There are no venomous snake populations close to acton. Closest one is over 30 miles away. They are damn hard to find. I probably spent 50 hrs searching, and I knew the habitat requirements, to find my first in Mass.
One of my sons is a realtor in the Acton market. Most houses in Acton are going for 10-20% over asking price so I don't think proximity to a "small wetland" is going to discourage too many buyers. If you are truly interested you should move swiftly with a strong offer.
Sump Pump with battery back up is a good idea. If you want to be safe get a back up sump pump. One concern for house near wetland is if the town identify it as wetland/conservation land, it will limit your rebuild/expansion/renovation potential. Also, find a rainy day and drive to the house and see how wet is the land near the wetland (i.e. whether the gradient allows proper runoff)...
I'd personally avoid buying property which abuts wetlands, even if that property falls outside FEMA flood zones.
I've lived near, but not abutting wetlands including my current home and the mosquito and fly populations render my neighbor's outdoor spaces effectively unusable from mid-April through October. This includes mid-day if the lot is heavily wooded/shaded. They leverage spraying and propane or similar traps, but these are only so effective without Disney-level resources.
My property is manageable as I'm on an exposed south facing hill meaning it sees little standing water, ample sun/heat, and a near constant breeze. Even then, the dusk to 12am hours requires DEET sprays and other deterrents if you wish to enjoy the outdoor space ... a smokey fire won't cut it.
This said, it's very lifestyle dependent. Given my work schedule and young child, I prefer to maximize those 5:30pm-8pm hours outside. The SAHMs in my neighborhood simply prioritize midday outdoor play as their schedule allows for it.
Last edited by Shrewsburried; 09-13-2021 at 08:45 AM..
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