When I finally have had enough of New England weather, (snow, rain, more snow, more rain, etc) I'll be residing about a thousand miles further south and west. On five acres, about 2300 feet above sea level, in the midst of the mountains. Doesn't get any better than this. No Black Flies, few skeeters, but there are chiggers, and Timber Rattlers (Crotalus Horridus for those budding herpetologists out there), and Copperheads (Agkistron Contortrix). But if you don't bother them, they won't bother you.. They help keep the small rodent population under control.