Rattlesnakes and other venomous species (Phoenix, Prescott: appointed, crime, high school)

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Greatday

OK - as a resident of Pinal County, at the base of the Superstition Mountain, I can assure you I see these "critters" fairly regularly. Although we do have good pest control, there is rarely a month that goes by that we do not see scorpions in, or near our home.

And, during the summer, seeing a rattlesnake is not that uncommon either. Same with the mountain lions, javelina and coyotes.

How's that?

He is stating that seeing such critters in the NW corner of the state is more rare than the S or SE portions. I can agree with this, but only slightly. There are still tons of rattlers in Kingman, but your chances of seeing them are probably a bit less. However, if he were to spend some time in Kingman with a experienced herper, he might be in for a real eye-opener! Ive herped areas of IL that I thought were completely devoid of snake life, until I went with a friend who uncovered about a dozen snakes within an hour! lol My point is, if youre looking for something that you truly understand in an area that is known to harbor such creatures, youll uncover tons, much to the dismay of naysayers. Just because you dont see them doesnt mean theyre not there.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

He is stating that seeing such critters in the NW corner of the state is more rare than the S or SE portions.

Right. My whole point is that when somebody asks if rattlers and scorpions are a problem in AZ, the correct response is "it depends where", rather than a simple yes or no.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by kdog

Right. My whole point is that when somebody asks if rattlers and scorpions are a problem in AZ, the correct response is "it depends where", rather than a simple yes or no.

I have to jump in here: The OP asked a question about the area Steve-O and I were talking about.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by kdog

Right. My whole point is that when somebody asks if rattlers and scorpions are a problem in AZ, the correct response is "it depends where", rather than a simple yes or no.

Some people in PHX have scorpion problems, some dont (sometimes in the same neighborhood!). Some people might not have a problem in Kingman, some might. Ill say it again, all areas of AZ have scorpions and rattlesnakes. NO city in AZ is immune to venomous critters, so the whole argument is silly to begin with. I dont care if you live in Flagstaff or Nogales, rattlesnakes are in both. I dont care if you live in Show Low or Yuma, scorpions are there too.

[nitram]

You know this subject gets so overblown. Steve-o you are to be admired for your knowledge and tenacity towards your loving bugs and critters. And these should be adressed in a separate post topic for those who are actually interested in the workings of life of these critters.
With that being said...and read this carefully...most out of state posters inquiring about bugs and critters here are responding to eeerie stories that they hear about from where they live. They are very likely have a bug or critter fear and are looking for someone to ease their fears when they come to the southwest to visit, not to hear all the things you say about them that can be interpreted as being really scary. Stop and think about the out of staters reading your posts, they'll think this is a wild untamed area and that as soon as they arrive in AZ they'll need to go to the stores and buy a flashlight and bug tweezers to get bugs outta their shoes, then don a pair of rattlesnake proof boots before they exit their doors, and buy a UV light to check their house for scorpions before they go to bed.
Do you get the picture.. so maybe you should respond by saying welcome to the area, you're chances of encountering any of these bugs/creatures is slim to none. This way they'll have an enjoyable experience and look forward to visiting us without worrying about killer bugs, snakes etal.
It reminds me of the person who asked about visiting New York City and the Empire State building, asking if it's safe to visit because of King Kong. And I tell them that the city is full of monkeys, don't worry about it, they only like airplanes and pretty girls on the top tower.

[Steve-o]

LOL

I dont know what to say, other than I think thats ridiculous. If anyone really thinks what you have stated, then theyre incredibly gullible and have uncontrollable aracno/ophidiophobia. I would love to say "youre probably never going to see one", but there are TONS of people in the area who do have bigtime problems with scorpions, etc. Its a fact of life. It happens. Most people in the Valley have no problems whatsoever, they need to understand that too. They also need to understand that scorpions/tarantulas/snakes/etc are part of life down there, whether they physically see them or not. Lucky for us, such creatures want nothing to do with humans and thus avoid them at all costs, hence the reason you dont see them often. But I can assure you, if you go looking for them with a fine toothed comb, you WILL find them everywhere from the finest north Scottsdale mansions to the poorest Phoenix areas. THATS the point Im making. Theyre there, and if someone cannot nor will not want to ever see said creatures, than PHX is one of the last places Id recommend living in. Make-uh sense-uh?

[nitram]

Steve-o you're either naive or very young and don't understand the phsycological effect of your answers.
If you read many of the past posts over the years, you'll see where people have posted their fear of bugs/crititters. They admit it in their posts. They are looking for re-assurance, not a history on entomology. I believe most people are smart enough to know there are bugs/critters everywhere in the country. And when they inquire about a specific concern it usually means they heard somewhere about a specific problem, which we don't have here in the southwest.
Let's keep it simple unless asked for more detailed info.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by nitram

Steve-o you're either naive or very young and don't understand the phsycological effect of your answers.
If you read many of the past posts over the years, you'll see where people have posted their fear of bugs/crititters. They admit it in their posts. They are looking for re-assurance, not a history on entomology. I believe most people are smart enough to know there are bugs/critters everywhere in the country. And when they inquire about a specific concern it usually means they heard somewhere about a specific problem, which we don't have here in the southwest.
Let's keep it simple unless asked for more detailed info.

Im 31 yrs old, hardly "young". If people are scared by my posts and facts about venomous critters, then Id hate to see how theyd react when actually confronted with such critters. I offer the truth and facts about venomous critters. Nothing more, nothing less. And if people are looking for re-assurance, Im not gonna candy-coat the subject and tell them some BS lies because who knows, they might be one of the 3,000 victims of reported (how many go unreported???) scorpion sting victims. And anyone who tells the inquirers that everything is perfectly safe and hunky-dory usually fails to leave out the fact that many people are stung and bitten by venomous critters every day in Arizona. Thats where I step in. People need to know whats out there, and I inform them of that. I also tell many a folk that theres no reason to be afraid, and that theyre best off researching and understanding the venomous critters they will share the state with. Did you know that every year anti-venin is administered to over a dozen people in AZ that are experiencing life-threatening symptoms from bark scorpion stings? Did you know that over 8,000 venomous snake bites are reported (and an estimated 2K are unreported) in the USA each year, mainly occuring in AZ and CA? Thats ALOT of bites. I wonder if those bite victims were also told that everything is perfectly safe and they let their guards down. In fact, sit down some time and count to 8,000 and let that sink in for awhile. Did you know that 12 fatalities on average every year due to said snakebites! In fact, a lady died from a snakebite a few months ago in AZ, remember that? She was just casually hiking a popular trail, the same place that many people on here believe are perfectly safe.

The message I offer to all those who have questions is: learn about the critters, learn what they look like and how to identify harmful vs safe species, what to do in case of a bite/sting, and most importantly DO NOT LIVE IN FEAR OF SUCH CREATURES.

[azgirl85220]

My husband runs his own Pest Control Company and there are areas of the Valley where you're most likely to see scorpions. Mostly in the wide open outlining areas. As far as snakes, my husband has seen only ONE in a house and that was in a newly developed area. You can have your house sealed so that they can't invade.

[azgirl85220]

Nitram..

It reminds me of the person who asked about visiting New York City and the Empire State building, asking if it's safe to visit because of King Kong. And I tell them that the city is full of monkeys, don't worry about it, they only like airplanes and pretty girls on the top tower.

OMG, I'm laughing sooo hard!!! LOLOL! LOLOL!