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Thread: Florida folks

  1. #1
    Senior Member BullFrog's Avatar
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    Florida folks

    A question or two from a Midwesterner to Floridians:

    I've been to FL a couple of times in July (hot, buggy, and rainy), and I'm planning a trip for early March to the Everglades. How bad are the bugs in March, and how much does it rain? I know it's the dry season, but will I definitely need a tarp for a several night trip? Also, what temps should I expect for night?

    Any advice on finding Brahminy blind snakes is appreciated as well; I'm a herpetologist and I need some for research purposes.

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    New Member Capt-Kevlar's Avatar
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    The everglades? Buggy? Pretty much year round. I would think there is a good chance the skeeters and the no see-ums are gonna be there. As for the temps and rain, heres a few years of March history for the Everglades. I would think you should definitely have a tarp just in case. Not sure what you're hanging in but yer gonna have to have a bug net and a hammock that will keep your bottom side from getting chewed up.

    http://weather-warehouse.com/Weather..._FL_March.html

    Cant help ya much with the snake except to say good luck. That is one small snake. Like finding a needle in a haystack. Good luck with the trip.

  3. #3
    Senior Member perdidochas's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BullDawg89 View Post
    A question or two from a Midwesterner to Floridians:

    I've been to FL a couple of times in July (hot, buggy, and rainy), and I'm planning a trip for early March to the Everglades. How bad are the bugs in March, and how much does it rain? I know it's the dry season, but will I definitely need a tarp for a several night trip? Also, what temps should I expect for night?

    Any advice on finding Brahminy blind snakes is appreciated as well; I'm a herpetologist and I need some for research purposes.

    Thanks!
    Haven't lived in South Florida in about 20 yrs, but as I recall, March wasn't too bad in terms of mosquitos (yes, you will still need bug spray and a bug net to sleep under, but it's not like June when any portion of unprotected body gets instantly swarmed). March is towards the end of the dry season, but there's always the possibility of rain, so take a tarp.

  4. #4
    Senior Member JaxHiker's Avatar
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    One word: permethrin.

    My friend is a marine biologist and while I don't know if he's still down there he spent years working in the Everglades. I'll see if I can find out about the snakes for you.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Fronkey's Avatar
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    I lived in Florida for 26 years and summer is going to be tough. With all the wetlands they have there the bugs are going to be a awful. Permethrin is a must. I don't have to warn you about things like water moccasins, but, be careful.

    As for the snakes you're looking for. I always found them by picking up heavy objects like rocks or pieces of wood. There would always be 1 or 2 lying underneath something I moved around my yard. Good luck and take some pictures. It sounds like a really cool adventure.

    Fronkey

  6. #6
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    It can be buggy.
    In the glades I would expect mosquitoes any time of the year depending on the weather

    March not as bad as mid summer though.
    Very heavy in the summer around mangroves, less in the winter depending on the temps.

    As far as rain, mostly just when cold fronts come through and usually not that much.
    That said the weather has been changing lately and its different so you could see some odd weather pattern.

    Take a tarp, bug netting and spray your hammock and cloths with permithrin.
    Maybe take a headnet and some deet just in case.

    As far as temps a 50dF bag or quilt should be fine.
    40dF would be better or take a good insulated jacket..

    Average temps are 75-80dF H, 60dF +- low with record lows in the 30's with a few in the low 30's. 7 or so of those lows in the last 10 years.

    http://test.crh.noaa.gov/mfl/?n=fort..._march_climate

    You are not allowed to hang anything from trees in the everglades national park which is idiotic.
    Trees grow like weeds down here.
    I know they are working on hammock laws for the state of Florida.
    Wish they would hurry up.
    Even a 4" tree strap would be fine with me.


    Maybe check in with DNR on the snakes.

    What part of the glades are you going to ??

    Quote Originally Posted by BullDawg89 View Post
    A question or two from a Midwesterner to Floridians:

    I've been to FL a couple of times in July (hot, buggy, and rainy), and I'm planning a trip for early March to the Everglades. How bad are the bugs in March, and how much does it rain? I know it's the dry season, but will I definitely need a tarp for a several night trip? Also, what temps should I expect for night?

    Any advice on finding Brahminy blind snakes is appreciated as well; I'm a herpetologist and I need some for research purposes.

    Thanks!
    Last edited by tammons; 01-20-2011 at 12:39.

  7. #7
    Senior Member olddog's Avatar
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    Precipation can vary quite a lot in the spring depending on El Nino/La Nina. Haven't paid much attention to what this year holds in store.Last spring was wetter if memory serves so it may be dried this year. Bring the tarp though, in a weeks time it will probably rain. Bugs are a given, a few warm days and they will be out. As to the Brahminy Blind Snake, I have ran across a few. Was curious but never followed up on finding out more. Grew up with snakes as pets and assumed the Ringneck was the smallest in Florida until I found the first Brahminy. Now I have a name. The ones I found was while raking leaves. Enjoy Florida and good hunting.

  8. #8
    Senior Member olddog's Avatar
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    bulldawg89, just a follow up on the Brahminy. i've been doing a lot of yard work at my son's where i had found them before. haven't seen any but we've had a couple of cool winters the last 2 years. farther south you may still find some.

  9. #9
    Senior Member BullFrog's Avatar
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    Thanks for the input. Does anybody know if the hammock restriction is Florida-wide or just in Everglades NP? I'll be spending some time in the panhandle as well.

  10. #10
    Senior Member TFC Rick's Avatar
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    Only in State Parks not in National Parks as I understand it.
    Look up before you hook up!!
    Originally Posted by body942
    Me big. Me like hammockgear burrow. Long. Problems no. People good.

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