Mothballs and Snakes? (Tucson, Bullhead City: house, scorpion, live in)

[Arizona Bound]

Hi.. We have heard if you use mothballs or the mothball crystals around your home, it keeps snakes away.. is this true? What about using a pest control company on a regular/monthly basis for spiders and other such creatures? Is having a garden or more vegetation in backyard bring more chances of spiders. snakes, and such? What about grass, or having a pool in backyard? Thanks!

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Arizona Bound

Hi.. We have heard if you use mothballs or the mothball crystals around your home, it keeps snakes away.. is this true? What about using a pest control company on a regular/monthly basis for spiders and other such creatures? Is having a garden or more vegetation in backyard bring more chances of spiders. snakes, and such? What about grass, or having a pool in backyard? Thanks!

Here's a sincere suggestion, Arizona Bound . . .

Before making any major decisions on eradicating Snakes and Bugs from your home, wait until you move to Arizona and see if you actually have a problem.

I relocated to Tucson ten years ago and have yet to see anything larger or more deadly than a common House Fly or two plus a few mosquitoes during the monsoon season. In fact, the "critter" problem is far less severe here than in Northern California, Georgia and Florida combined.

Good Luck!

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Bummer

In fact, the "critter" problem is far less severe here than in Northern California, Georgia and Florida combined.

Good Luck!

What do you mean by "problem"? Are you judging "problem" by how many you (yourself) physically see? There are FAR more snakebites in AZ than NorCal (SoCal I might have agreed with), GA and FL combined. There are FAR more scorpion stings as well. AZ administers more anti-venom for snakebites and scorpion stings than anywhere else in the USA, and by a long shot. SoCal treats more venomous snakebite victims, but thats only because of the vastly higher population.

But if youre referring "problem" as how many bugs you actually see compared to, say, Florida, Id agree. AZ has less bugs in most areas, but AZ's bugs are far more lethal and far more diverse (dozens of species of scorpions, tarantulas, venomous snakes, etc).

For the OP: Im not sure if mothballs would deter snakes or not, its not something Ive ever heard before. If you want, I highly recommend you visit VenomousReptiles.org Home - The SHHS is Venomous Snake Headquarters and ask someone over there for their opinion. That website is home to the Southeastern Hot Herp Society (SHHS) and most are extremely knowledgeable about venomous snakes.

[Arizona Bound]

Hi.. it's not that we have a "problem"... it's just something we are trying to investigate and gather information on. We have read a bunch of different stories with some saying they have never had a problem, and others saying that the snakes, spiders, and bugs are a BIG problem in arizona! We are thinking of relocating to the Bullhead City/Fort Mohave area. How is that area when it comes to snakes, spider and such? Thanks!

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Arizona Bound

Hi.. it's not that we have a "problem"... it's just something we are trying to investigate and gather information on. We have read a bunch of different stories with some saying they have never had a problem, and others saying that the snakes, spiders, and bugs are a BIG problem in arizona! We are thinking of relocating to the Bullhead City/Fort Mohave area. How is that area when it comes to snakes, spider and such? Thanks!

I understood your post, Arizona Bound.

As I tried to post earlier, there are critters everywhere and I used Northern California, Georgia and Florida as examples. Obviously, others may disagree but I'll stick with my statement that Arizona is no worse and after ten years in Tucson, Arizona is much less severe than many other places.

As for snakes . . . I'd much rather take my chances stepping on a big snake than an alligator any day.

In all seriousness . . . wait until you relocate and get settled. The "critter" problem may not be a biggee at all.

[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.

[Steve-o]

No doubt alligators/crocs can kill too, but its simple to avoid them (ie dont swim in infested waters). But seriously though, who is blind enough to step on an alligator? Get real, people.

[ComputerGuy]

I live in Jacksonville, FL and have been for 33 years. I have yet to see an alligator in my backyard, however I'm not close enough to water to really have a problem.

There have been some stories of people finding alligators in their backyard, and I actually saw one when I went to a park. The gator could easily walk right up on land, but he or she stayed in the water (thank goodness).

I know your talking about AZ snakes, but to compare I have seen about 5 snakes within the past 4 years at my house. Now of course these are not rattlesnakes, so I didn't hesitate to kill them, but our local lowes sells a product called snake away, which they say is suppose to work.

I would suggest visiting a Home Depot or Lowes and asking someone there, but opinions will vary of course. Good luck with the snakes, I'm planning on moving to AZ in 1 to 2 years, and the snakes and scorpions concern me, but I think I'll take my chances.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by ComputerGuy

Now of course these are not rattlesnakes, so I didn't hesitate to kill them

Did you word that wrong or are you killing non-venomous snakes and letting rattlers live?

In any case, you shouldnt kill any of them.

[Dutch62]

Snake a way is the answer..Moth balls won't work.