HOLY HEAT IS THERE A MOSQUITO PROBLEM?
MORE IMPORTANTLY WILL I SURVIVE SUMMER??
No matter what state you live in, there is a general idea that SOUTHERN SUMMERS ARE HOT!! I tend to associate Southern Heat with Lousiana swamps, alligators, and sweet ice tea on tap.
As someone who lived in a cold PNW climate her whole life, I was kinda afraid of this idea… ‘will I even be able to step outside during the summer??’😫😫
Well let me tell you SPRING and SUMMER are both hot. The average temperature in Upstate SC for May is 81, June is 88, and July is 91. To compare, the average temp in July for Seattle WA is 72 degrees. That’s a 19 degree difference.
HOWEVER – FALL and WINTER are magical seasons with wonderful temperatures!! This to me makes up for the melting heat.
In the summer I plan our outings to happen in the morning (in the car by 9am). We go to parks with alot of shade, and splashpads are a big bonus. Around noon we go home and keep busy with indoor activites (in the comfort of AC). Then around 7-8pm we go outside again.
NOTE ABOUT MOSQUITOS: I HATE THEM.
They are everywhere, in swarms they attack.. especially as the sun begins to go down. Mosquitos don’t really like direct sun but they love shady cool areas. My advice is keep moving! Run, jog with the stroller, go for bike rides. It is harder for them to hit a moving target.
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Before we moved I imagined Southern summer nights with a backdrop of mosquito swarms following me until they formed a thick buzzing cloud that devoured me alive.
In Reality: One summer night around 7pm I was walking outside our house with my son. As we were taking a stroll I could see 4-5 mosquitoes slowly hovering around me and and following our every step. If we moved left- they moved, if we moved right- they followed. I think as long as we kept moving it was OK (Lord help you if you stop for a second to tie your shoe).
When we were searching for a rental property I specifically made sure it wasnt near a lake because I know any body of water breeds mosquitoes. So I’m sure its worse for those people who live near lakes or large ponds. I still enjoy summer nights, and I don’t wear mosquito spray. I read online somewhere that they hate lavender oil. My next house I really want a screened back porch.
I struggle with AC and grocery stores. The stores are so cold but the walk through the parking lot is so so hot. I end up having to grab a sweater for me and my kid on a 90 degree day to put on while in the store.
You must accept the fact that you will sweat more in the South 😜 But sweating is healthy for your body so just put on a good deodorant and brave the day!