Rattlesnakes, spiders, other creepy crawlys & wild life in Sedona (houses, scorpions)

[Catcelchu]

Hi I am thinking of relocating to Sedona and would like to know about the wild life in the area, as I have a cat and dog I would be bringing with me. Also not that keen on spiders so would like to know about what type are there and do they get into houses. As where I live rattlesnakes well any snakes etc are no problem I would like to know if they are a problem in Sedona. Getting into houses etc. I am as you can tell by questions I don't know that much about snakes. I hope someone can help me with my questions.

[esselcue]

You won't have snakes IN your house, but it is high desert and there are all sorts of desert critters around the yards and open places: tarantulas, scorpions, lizards, centipedes (the worst!!!), various spiders and insects and ugly bugs...but you don't see all of them all the time. It's just the fauna of the southwest. If you leave the King Snakes and BullSnakes alone you will not have Rattlers, the Kings & Bulls keep rattlers away. In all my years in AZ I have only seen two lives rattlers and that was out hiking...but I have come across many Kings and Bulls, which I invite into my yard as a safety precaution.

I have never lived anywhere or traveled anywhere that there were not various critters lurking about...except for Ireland., There doesn't seem to be many bugs or other creatures there! You just learn about the different insects and reptiles in Arizona and how to avoid them and it's 99.9% fine.

[Catcelchu]

Thanks that helps.
One other thing will having a small fence help keeping snakes out.

[Stumblina]

Hmmmmm...good question. Can snakes climb/crawl up those stucco/cement walls around yards?

[LordBalfor]

Originally Posted by Stumblina

Hmmmmm...good question. Can snakes climb/crawl up those stucco/cement walls around yards?

This is about the Deep South and snakes, but I would think the general rules about walls would still apply:

Keeping Snakes In Their Place

Ken

[esselcue]

No fence, not even a block wall, will keep a snake out if the snake wants in...but usually if you keep their hiding places and food supply at a miniumum they will not venture to your property. Wood piles, rock piles, lots of low shrubbery and barns where mice live will attract snakes. They are shy creatures and rarely choose open areas if they can hide somewhere. The exception to this is early mornings in spring and fall when snakes will sun themselves on warm rocks to bring up their body temps. Snakes hibernate in winter.

Be more concerned about those danged centipedes! I hate those suckers. I had one almost 10" long in my house once!