[angelo129]

Thanks very much to all who replied. We'll definitely be keeping this in mind when we decide whether to accept the offer or not. We have the additional problem of having to rent a property because my husband's work makes us move fairly frequently and it wouldn't be practical for us to buy a house. Most of the rentals we've seen look pretty nasty, even though we can pay well if not absolutely top dollar. When you combine this with the likelihood of these over-priced and shabby looking rentals being infested with flies and other nasties, we're seriously questioning whether we want to live in Vermont (gorgeous scenery notwithstanding). Again, thanks so much for all your thoughtful and detailed responses.

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by angelo129

Thanks very much to all who replied. We'll definitely be keeping this in mind when we decide whether to accept the offer or not. We have the additional problem of having to rent a property because my husband's work makes us move fairly frequently and it wouldn't be practical for us to buy a house. Most of the rentals we've seen look pretty nasty, even though we can pay well if not absolutely top dollar. When you combine this with the likelihood of these over-priced and shabby looking rentals being infested with flies and other nasties, we're seriously questioning whether we want to live in Vermont (gorgeous scenery notwithstanding). Again, thanks so much for all your thoughtful and detailed responses.

Where in Vermont might you live, this will make a big difference. If you will be living in or near Burlington you can easily put yourself in an area without flies, you can't avoid mosquitoes though. If you live in a town setting you can probably do the same.

I've never seen the dead fly situation you speak of.

Unfortunately, the bug situation does put a crimp on hiking in the summer for me. Some people don't seem to care.

[angelo129]

We'd be living in the general area of Montpelier/Barre.

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by angelo129

We'd be living in the general area of Montpelier/Barre.

I think if you lived in Montpelier you could be ok.

I wouldn't live in Barre even if it was completely flyless.

[Bang!]

Try treating your hat with Permethrin based repellent, deer flies won't go anywhere near you.

Cabela's -- Sawyer Duranon Permethrin Insect Repellent

And, to steer this back on topic, if your going to rent I suggest staying in 'The Park'. That is, stay in communities that are built and maintained for the tourists. You'll find homes in 'The Park' built to first world standards. When most people think of Vermont they're really imagining a post-card image not the real thing. Here are a few examples:

Stowe = The Park
Barre = Real Vermont
Woodstock = The Park
Rutland = Real Vermont

You can usually find 'The Park' near ski areas (although not all of them) and some of the lake communities (again, not all of them). If your unsure if your in 'The Park' you can ask anyone you see with out of state plates on their car. They'll know although may act coy about answering out loud because its taboo to mention 'The Park' to the locals. If you do ask any locals they'll likely give you directions to Six Flags Great Adventure.

[RunawayJim]

Originally Posted by quickdraw

Unfortunately, the bug situation does put a crimp on hiking in the summer for me. Some people don't seem to care.

It probably depends on where you hike. I hiked up to Sterling Pond in Smugglers' Notch last week and while there were spots of flies, it wasn't horrible and the trail was moist. It was one of the hotter days, but I think the elevation of the notch (~2000 ft) and the 1000 ft ascent kept most of the bugs away. It was much cooler at the top. The only bugs we noticed en route were in spots where the sun was really shining through the trees and it was really warm. Other than that, they didn't really follow us.

The funny thing about the deer flies while I was up there is they would just circle and circle my head, never landing on me. I didn't understand that at all. Where I grew up in southern CT the deer flies would circle once or twice, find a nice spot to land and go in for the kill... and boy did it hurt (though not as bad as the monster horse flies at the beach down there).

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by RunawayJim

The funny thing about the deer flies while I was up there is they would just circle and circle my head, never landing on me. I didn't understand that at all. Where I grew up in southern CT the deer flies would circle once or twice, find a nice spot to land and go in for the kill... and boy did it hurt (though not as bad as the monster horse flies at the beach down there).

My first five summers here, they circled my head and I got maybe two bites. This year they are attacking me and biting me. Not just on my head but my legs and elbows. The past week has been by far the worst I've experienced here.

Still, I've never got a terrible bite. I feel them start and I just smash them.

But man they're annoying.

[lisa1517]

My father rented a house a few years ago on a lake. The mosquitoes were right out of a horror movie. They swarmed anyone who went outside. You were only safe IN the lake. It truly was something unreal. The kids still talk about killing mosquitoes on the car windows all the way home. My husband and I have biked all over VT for the past few years. We have not experienced any unusual bug issues. However, that one trip to that lake has become LEGENDARY in our family. : )

[BickleTravis]

Originally Posted by lisa1517

My father rented a house a few years ago on a lake. The mosquitoes were right out of a horror movie. They swarmed anyone who went outside. You were only safe IN the lake. It truly was something unreal. The kids still talk about killing mosquitoes on the car windows all the way home. My husband and I have biked all over VT for the past few years. We have not experienced any unusual bug issues. However, that one trip to that lake has become LEGENDARY in our family. : )

Mosquitoes are bad here. Only place I've seen worse was in Minnesota.

[PAblackbear]

I'm used to deer flies but one time black flies had me running out of the Vermont woods in a mad dash to get to my truck.