Mothballs and Snakes?

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by nitram

The bug and snake paranoia in AZ is blown way outta proportion.
Quote; Bummer is right, as for snakes . . . I'd much rather take my chances stepping on a big snake than an alligator any day.

The paranoia seems to be fueled mostly by people from out of state. I started thinking that Steve-o may have a vested interest in driving people out of here... He spends an odd amount of time on another state's forum discussing one particular topic. I'm with Bummer and you on this one.

[BillyBaroo]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

I started thinking that Steve-o may have a vested interest in driving people out of here...

His Mother In-Law lives here, maybe that has something to do with it.

[BillyBaroo]

We used to use moth balls to keep javelina off the golf course when they were digging for grubs. They would come in at night and tear up huge amounts of turf if they found a spot with a lot of grubs. We just threw down the moth balls where they were digging and they would stay away. But a lot of times they would just go find another place to dig. They're going to do whatever they want to do.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

The paranoia seems to be fueled mostly by people from out of state. I started thinking that Steve-o may have a vested interest in driving people out of here... He spends an odd amount of time on another state's forum discussing one particular topic. I'm with Bummer and you on this one.

Im on here to actually dispel the myths surrounding scorpions, tarantulas, etc. I cant help the fact that AZ is swarming with them. If people dont like that nor can live with that fact, Ill be the first to tell them not to come to AZ. But then again, Id be the first person to tell them not to live in fear of them and to actually LEARN something about venomous critters.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by BillyBaroo

His Mother In-Law lives here, maybe that has something to do with it.

Dont forget my FIL, 2 BIL's, 2 friends (who are coming back to IL next month if all goes well).

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Im on here to actually dispel the myths surrounding scorpions, tarantulas, etc. I cant help the fact that AZ is swarming with them. If people dont like that nor can live with that fact, Ill be the first to tell them not to come to AZ. But then again, Id be the first person to tell them not to live in fear of them and to actually LEARN something about venomous critters.

Well, Steve-o, you may know a lot more than us about the critters, but the fact remains that we live here and a lot of us haven't even ever seen them and they really don't occupy our thoughts whatsoever.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Well, Steve-o, you may know a lot more than us about the critters, but the fact remains that we live here and a lot of us haven't even ever seen them and they really don't occupy our thoughts whatsoever.

More power to ya! Next time Im out there Ill "show you around", so-to-speak. Given enough time I could probably discover several scorpions on your property. Reminds me of a funny story. My FIL assured me I was wasting my time by hunting for scorpions/critters on his property, telling me that they havent seen a single one in the year theyd been there and that they spray for them too. I should have put some money on it. I came back inside several times that night with some "prized possessions". Included were a adult male bark scorpion, 3 ultra tiny 2nd instar baby bark scorpions, one 4' snake shed, 2 Vaejovis spinigeris scorpions and a black widow. The next night was the real show stopper when I almost stepped on a juvenile western diamondback rattlesnake while blacklighting for scorpions. My friend and I quickly cordoned it from escaping and then hooked it and put it in a bucket for all to see. This June we also found another huge black widow, another bark scorpion, one desert hairy scorpion, a praying mantis (man I love those things!!!), a Huntsman spider and a tarantula! ALL IN HIS FRONT YARD ALONE! hahaha My MIL is cool about it, telling me that she just doesnt want to know whats in her yard. The only thing that sucks about herping in his yard is the nasty javelinas. Those things suck and scare the crap outta me, especially when theyre huge.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

My MIL is cool about it, telling me that she just doesnt want to know whats in her yard. The only thing that sucks about herping in his yard is the nasty javelinas. Those things suck and scare the crap outta me, especially when theyre huge.

I'm with your MIL (even though I'm a bit suspicious of her, LOL; see word in red above)! You know, I started thinking that people really attract what they're afraid of in their lives...

Javelinas are cute. Whatchya got against them?! They stink all right. Once I did have a visit from them (but we're talking about a house on 5 acres, so it's not likely to happen again). It was around Thanksgiving and I had some decorations involving corncobs. Apparently the javelinas liked them, too.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

The paranoia seems to be fueled mostly by people from out of state. I started thinking that Steve-o may have a vested interest in driving people out of here... He spends an odd amount of time on another state's forum discussing one particular topic. I'm with Bummer and you on this one.

Thank you, SierraAZ!

To read some of the posts on here, one would begin to believe we are forced to step over "gaggles" of snakes and scorpions merely to walk to the kitchen sink or to the mailbox.

My question is simple . . . "How could anyone NOT living in Arizona be so knowledgeable?"

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Thank you, SierraAZ!

To read some of the posts on here, one would begin to believe we are forced to step over "gaggles" of snakes and scorpions merely to walk to the kitchen sink or to the mailbox.

My question is simple . . . "How could anyone NOT living in Arizona be so knowledgeable?"

If anyone seriously thinks you have to step over them to take a leak in the wee hours of the morning, than they need a serious reality check. The point is that AZ is swarming with scorpions, spiders, snakes, etc, thats a well known fact that you cant argue. Whether you have a problem with them or not, you have to educate people about them. I think its ridiculous that people are scared out of their minds about such things, its sad really.

As for your last statement? Ive spent countless hours out in the Sonoran Desert searching for venomous creatures, its a hobby of mine. Not only that but I keep and study them as well as research them. Im well versed in that field and Im proud of the fact that I can answer questions people have. I dont need to live in AZ to be knowledgeable about the situation. What a silly thing to say.