We have never rented in the OUter Banks before. Corolla was recommended to us and we were all set to rent a house in Corolla Light on the Soundfront until we talked to a friend who said the bugs are really a problem on the Sound side - particularly mosquitos. Does anyone have any experience with this? We would hate to rent one of these beautiful homes and be unable to sit outside on the deck and watch the sunset.

At certain times of day the bugs can be bad - usually dusk or later in the day. Try to get a rental that has a screened in porch or balcony, many of the rentals do have screened in porches just because of this. Also OFF is now made in a more pleasant scent, with West Nile virus around it is a good idea to routinely spray yourself.

Last year (2002) was one of the very worst for mosquitoes all over the Outer Banks...we were almost overwhelmed at our cottage which is oceanfront in Hatteras...and local folks said it was because of the "wet year" they had had. We'll be going again in September and can just imagine what it might be like...we've been going for years and never had a problem like last year.
I would efinitely keep the bug spray handy, especially in the early mornings and at dusk when mosquitoes like to feed. Otherwise I wouldn't let this stop you from enjoying the beach.

I would imagine this year will be pretty bad, too, as it has been very wet in the Northeast. I know they can be bad at sunset, it's just that that's probably when we'd like to be on the deck enjoying the sunset! Someone had suggested tiki torches in addition to bug spray. I have a two year old and I am little hesitant about putting bug spray on him every time we go outside. I am also wondering if we'd be able to enjoy the pool or hot tub if the bugs are that bad. Not trying to sound whiny, but these are all things I think we need to consider.

Has anyone been on the sounside this season and could comment???