Afraid of Tuscan Mosquitoes
 

Have you ever been bitten at any time of the year in these higher elevations:
Cortona, Montepulciano, Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Pienza?

We are planning a trip to mostly S Tuscany at the end of Sept but will change to Oct if necessary to avoid mosquitoes.

I am now rethinking the first night at a villa hotel outside of Florence without a/c or screens. Florence el=50m. According to tripadvisor hotel reports, they are sometimes biting in Florence into Nov!

Any comments appreciated. Mosquitoes love me!

Never had a problem with mosquitoes in Tuscany at any time of year......but watch out for the snakes!

I have never had any problem with mosquitos in my trips to Tuscany.This doesn't mnean that they aren't there. You can buy Autan ,a good repellent, in Italy to be safe.

Mosquitoes in Tuscany ? sounds strange...they like more humid climates..like the one here where I live in summer LOL.

Are you allergic? If not, even if there are some around, I wouldn't worry too much. Just get yourself a good repellant, and use it!

Hi Calville,

I can understand your anxiety, as I am very allergic to the little devils. My last visit to Tuscany was in Sept and I didn't have any problems. Believe me, if there had been just one mosquito within a 100 mi., it would have found me! (did you know that they can smell you that far away?!)

Now, the Amalif Coast was another story! Everyone I saw had huge red welts on their legs, including me.

The buzz on the street is that a squeeter was sighted in Tuscany a few years back - they are now protected as an Endangered Species!

You may be thinking of Venice area where there could be a problem.

Dayle- within 15 mins I can have 10 bites and my husband not a one.
I'm surprised about the Amalfi coast though- hadn't heard about that.
There are numerous comments about mosquitoes throughout tripadvisor reports on Tuscany (and a few on fodors).
St Cirq- are the snakes venomous? I think I'm more scared of mosquitoes.
One of my worst travel experiences was a night in Oaxaca, Mexico- no screens, no a/c, no fans, we felt like we would suffocate without the windows open, millions of mosquitoes and the repellant didn't seem to contain any DEET.

Hi, calville:

I really don't think you need to be worried about snakes...that was a reference to a recent thread by a woman who was terrified about encountering snakes at her rented Italian villa..

Did not mean to alarm you :)

We stayed in Radda a few years ago. I don't remember mosquitoes being a huge problem, and I am typically very appealing mosquito bait!

Don't laugh, but I've found that if I put a lot of Noxema on and rub it in pretty well, it seems to keep the mosquitoes off me. I have no idea why that works, but it does!

Mosquitoes, snakes, how about scorpions? Trying to get the little buggers out of the shower (and sink hole - brushing teeth was a challenge) of our cottage in Cortona is not an experience I care to repeat. Of course not enough of a fright to keep us out of Italy.

Job816-I got used to lots of scorpions while living in Costa Rica but was fortunate to never get stung.
Were there really mosquitoes in Cortona? Now you've got me alarmed!
What month were you there?
Is the Fodorite who lives in Pienza reading this? How's the mosquito situation there?

Hi C,

Mosquitoes love me too.

Bring a good repellent and a bottle of Caladryl Clear from home.

I have found that the Caladryl prevents itching and keeps the bite from swelling.

((I))

Some years ago my spouse and I spent four days in Radda and escaped without a mosquito bite. (No actual sightings either.)

We then proceeded to the Ligurian coast, precisely Tellaro. where we were attacked by mosquitoes the size of Mothra.

I am a Mosquito magnet as well. I learned. Big, burly, flannel-shirted hunters before dawn breakfasting at a diner (Practice Husband liked to begin journeys early). They were rubbing all exposed parts with Skin So Soft by Avon. They swore by it before they went a-huntin

Ugh, Skin so Soft - can't stand the smell myself!

Hi, calville-

we had a stay in Amdsterdam completely ruined by mossies in our room - and that was in April!

so i would suggest taking repellent with you anyway - we always do now, whereever we're going, and we've not had any trouble since.

regards, ann

We were in Tuscany in Sept/Oct in 2005 and I don't remember seeing a mosquito. We weren't running through the grapes though!

Snakes in Tuscany??!!! Yikes, I HATE snakes... really hate them. Am I likely to run into them?

Hello St Cirq ... we met years ago in a little cafe in Normandy. It was too late to buy a phone card and you gave us one of yours! I also used your directions to Mont St Michele that you posted on this board. Just goes to show, you never know where you will see another Fodorite!

Thanks everyone for your entertaining replies. I can understand air conditioning not being the norm in Europe but think the lack of window screens in mosquito prone areas to be totally bizarre!

I'm a slave to tripadvisor and read hotel reviews obsessively while trying to decide where to stay. I just came across a review for a B and B in Castellina in Chianti, someone reported being cooked by the heat in June and then eaten alive at night!
I hope they have died off by Sept. in S Tuscany.
Our experience last summer in Switzerland taught me that air conditioning in Europe is meaningless- may or may not work.

We were between Florence and Sienna first week of June 2006... it was very hot and tons of mosquitoes. I am allergic and was severely bit. However we have been in Oct and Nov and not had any problems

BCCSC- thanks for the additional info.
I'm wondering if we should go in Oct instead to be on the safe side :)

Of course might be rainier...

Yes, there are mosquitoes and other biters that induce allergic reactions. There's sound advice on all of this here: http://www.bella-toscana.com/agriturismo.htm

Great website Toscoman- thanks for posting. I'm not sure about screens impeding airflow though- wonder if that's really true. Then I say add ceiling fans to circulate air :)


I've been a little confused about the agriturismo- I thought they were B and Bs on working farms that provided breakfast and occasionally dinner but have been surprised to read varying accounts- some sound more like apts without maid service, fresh towels and you need to supply and make your own morning coffee. That does not appeal to us.

Every agriturismo I've stayed in was very much like a B&B.However, there are some (mostly with apartment type units) that operate differently.

I live in Pienza and I can tell you that there are of course mosquitoes in the summer. I just launched a new small hotel and fought like mad with my town council for the permission to have 1) air conditioning and 2) optional pull down mosquitoes screens in all the rooms. It's funny that the Tuscans don't seem to notice them but they eat me alive. But with a quick spray of some repellent, screens and a few citronella candles, they won't bother you. If your Agriturismo doesnt have screens, then be sure you spray yourself again before bed. I don't think they will be an issue in October...but then again, September is far nicer (in my opinion, but I love the sun).

In general there is a huge range when it comes to Agriturismos. Some are literally an old granny serving you breakfast while you sleep with the dog in the back room on a huge farm, while others are beautifully appointed and furnished rooms run by a professional staff. They vary greatly.
www.la-bandita.com

WOW! jvoitm- I'm so excited for you. Congratulations- La Bandita looks like it will be fabulous. I love your website too- very special- must've had a great graphic artist help you.

I've never been to Tuscany but I'm
struck by your photos- the spectacular scenery reminds me of the sandhills of Nebraska in the NW part of the state. Don't laugh folks- this is some of the most unique, ravishingly beautiful country in the US. Ted Turner owns thousands of acres of it. Is there a western theme- Bandita?
You mentioned the "clay hills"- now I understand why there's a pottery tradition.
I'm curious- on what grounds did the locals object to the a/c and screens?

When will the rooms be completed? How many in total?
Are there bldg inspectors who have to sign off on things like in the US? I'm sure you have many fascinating tales to tell!
Congratulations again and best wishes on your new endeavor. And thank you for answering my mosquito question :)

Dear Calville
thanks for your kind words and your support! This part of the Val D'orcia is a rather unique geological environment, with large tracts of the "crete" which are the clay hills that I refer to on the website. Around my property is a nature reserve designed to protect them. We've been doing a lot of landscaping in my garden, and planting trees, flowers, etc, and I can tell you the soil is such thick clay, now I know why it's been such a poor area for centuries! It's really good for nothing but grazing sheep!

Being in a historic area, renovating an old building, inside a nature reserve and a UNESCO heritage site, you can imagine the crazy amounts of approvals, inspections and regulations that would boggle your mind. It took 3 years just to be able to touch a brick.

We have 8 rooms, and we're nearly finished, we'll be ready for June. As for air conditioning, the locals just have always been used to living without it, and so they see it as something strange (and--they believe--unhealthy). But more and more it's becoming common, especially considering how it is only getting hotter each year in Tuscany as elsewhere.

Thanks again...come visit us!
www.la-bandita.com

jvoigtm- your property sounds very intriguing- I will start a thread on it if you don't mind.

I can sympathize with your construction delays. I'm also wondering about your air conditioning. Will you be able to find techs to service it if it breaks down?
Even in the US, the new refrigerants seem to be confusing.

I was wondering if I could pick your brain a little on other properties and plan to post a question to you on the thread "Lodging in Tuscany."

Thank you!

I live just outside Florence and my husband and I battle the mosquitos every night in the summer til about 1st of November. Terrible! Wish we had screens!

The worst I had experienced was a summer in puglia by the sea....huge mosquitos that I just could not manage to get rid of no matter how many mosquito killer gadgets I got!

Lived on the sea in Genoa for 2 years and don't remember having any sort of mosquito problem there.

Amy- I really have been shocked by all the references to mosquitoes in Florence. Some tripadvisor reviewers have reported them as early as April.

I have only seen a few mosquito references for Rome but maybe I was looking at properties with a/c.

Here in the US, it is easy to call a chain like Glass Dr and have them come out, measure and fit your windows with screens if you don't have them.
They are quite inexpensive and there's a broad choice of materials and colors for both screens and frames.

Is there no place like that in Florence? A true European mystery!

ellenbw:

My goodness! I just saw your post (have beene traveling the past week)...Second time this week someone on Fodors has cropped up who has met me/stayed at my house...amazing!

I remember well meeting you, at Le Petit Normand in Bayeux. Didn't remember about the phone card, but glad I could help!

I

My unique Florence mosquito experience.
Checked into a hotel in Florence with room on the ground floor overlooking the inner courtyard. Windows of the room were wide open with a couple dozen mosquitos hanging around the room ceiling. Closed the windows figured I would deal with the problem later.Started to take a quick nap since I had just landed in country. However since I was on the lunch menu the dive bombers from the ceiling put a quick end to that nap. I decided to go eat lunch instead of being eaten.

As I was walking out the door thinking I'll need to buy some bug spray , I noticed what appeared to be a night light plugged into the wall, not on. I stopped and looked at it and it wasn't a light but half a sphere which contained liquid. Some how I deduced that this might be some type of bug repellant or killer. I turned the liitle thing on and left the room. Later that day when I returned to the room , nary a squeeter to be found.
What, was that unit & why have I only seen it once ? Appears to be a great product, unless I come down with some agent orange like symptons. Oh, it was odorless too.

Hi Calville, Rome does have mosquitoes. My daughter gets mosquitoe bites on top of mosquitoe bites when she is in Rome. They are always attracted to her but her husband never is bothered by them. No doubt a good part of the problem is that my SIL's family house does not have screens on the windows and does not have a/c so inspite of very thick exterior walls during the the hot and humid months windows are left open for any touch of breeze.

LoveItaly- it seems like some entrepreneurial type would start a screen business in mosquito prone areas.

I've always been amazed at how bug free N Europe is but I guess Mediterranean climates are another story.

LOL Lorenzi- I'm glad your mosquito experience had a happy ending. I'm impressed that the plug in repellants are odorless- I hate applying DEET because of the smell.

PS- Here in the SE US the mosquitoes are also horrible in the summer months.
If there's a good breeze it seems to drive them off.

Mosquitoes hold a huge convention in
Collioure in September. They congregate on hotel balconies by the
sea.

Heat+ no screens + no breeze = a very,
very unhappy me.

Hi Calville, my late husband always said the same thing. He had a terrible time with mosquito bites also. I guess I am not sweet enough to have them interested in me!

We had a boat for ages which was berthed in the CA Delta..OMG, the mosquitoes..rather like you have in the SE I would imagine.

You haven't seen mosquitoes til you've lived in Alaska.

They don't bother me any more--I don't have any blood left for them to take.

That is interesting Enzian, for some reason (the cold I guess) I always assumed Alaska did not have a problem with mosquitoes.

We are warned of late every year about the West Nile Virus. I wonder if that is true in Italy? I will have to find out, just out of curiosity.