O.K., deadly stuff creeps me out. (Tucson, Flagstaff: houses, adult)

[banger]

The more I read about Scorpions and Black Widow spiders, the more creepy I feel.

Snakes, not so much.

Now the question, I am considering a move to either the Flagstaff or Prescott areas, Does the higher elevations and cooler temperatures reduce the occurrence of encountering these insects?

No one seems to directly answer the question if poisons will keep Scorpions away.

I am not afraid of toxic chemicals, having been born and raised in New Jersey, So if I can find a vile enough chemical , Is it possible to keep them away.

You see, I am less concerned about my own safety, as I am about my little (sissy) dog. He has NO survival experience with such matters and therefor knows no fear.

[esselcue]

I think the critter-fear that has been stated on this forum is over-done. Yes, there are some nasty critters in Arizona but really, if they were all that horrible, would there be so many people living happily here? I've been almost 23 years in the Prescott area and yes, I've seen every bug and reptile and creepy crawlie you can imagine, but not all in my house and certainly not with regularity. The irrational fear of scorpions needs to be squelched. I have never used any chemicals to keep anything away...except an occasional spritz of Raid on a centipede if it strays indoors, which happens to be my least favorite bug. They give me the creeps. But as far as scorpions and spiders (Black widows live everywhere, not just Arizona) and other "dangerous" insects...geeeesh! Just use common sense, as you should no matter where you live!

Winters in the high country (Prescott, Flagstaff) most bugs & creepers and slitherers seem to vanish. I don't know if it's the same in the Valley areas. I have three dogs, all on the small side, and the Jack Russell Terrier attacks everything! He has be stung my wasps, bees, hornets, scorpions and who-knows-what and he survives unscathed. He seems to love to eat Tarantulas, which disgusts me but seems to cause no harm. My only concern is that he might one day encounter a rattle snake when we are out hiking, because he seems to think that all living creatures are there for him to harrass...but to date we've been lucky that way. You little dog should be fine if kept indoors at night, when most evil critters are out & about.

Please don't stress over this. Arizona has bugs, yes, but so does every other state in the union. As I said earlier, if it was such a dangerous place to live, why do so many people happily live here?

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by banger

The more I read about Scorpions and Black Widow spiders, the more creepy I feel.

Snakes, not so much.

Now the question, I am considering a move to either the Flagstaff or Prescott areas, Does the higher elevations and cooler temperatures reduce the occurrence of encountering these insects?

No one seems to directly answer the question if poisons will keep Scorpions away.

I am not afraid of toxic chemicals, having been born and raised in New Jersey, So if I can find a vile enough chemical , Is it possible to keep them away.

You see, I am less concerned about my own safety, as I am about my little (sissy) dog. He has NO survival experience with such matters and therefor knows no fear.

Scorpions? Only one to fear, the AZ bark scorpion, which can put you in a world of hurt. Google "Centruroides exilicauda".

Black widows? Just watch where you put your hands and feet, simple as that. Google "Latrodectus hesperus".

You should definitely be more weary of the venomous snakes. They can do far more damage to you than most scorpions/black widows. Google "list of crotalids in Arizona". There are also classes your dog can take to teach them to avoid the snakes. You must remember to leave the snakes alone, too. They wont bother you unless you bother them, and play a BIG role in controlling rodent populations. If you have one in your yard, simply call animal control or the fire department.

[michael krotchie]

Bark Scorpion (Centruroides exilicauda)


DESCRIPTION: body (not "tail") up to 2.75" long. Distinguished from other local scorpions by its long, thin pincers (when you're this toxic you don't need strong pincers).

NATURAL HISTORY: Most venomous local scorpion (potentially fatal -- when stung, call the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center at 626-6016 in Tucson and 1-800-362-0101 elsewhere in Arizona.). Often the most common scorpion found in and around houses in Tucson. Prefers resting/ambushing from head-down position and is often seen climbing or sitting high above the ground (unlike stripe-tailed and giant desert hairy scorpions).

To anyone who experience mild to moderate tremors from the above picture, I apologize. Also extends to those who shrieked or struck their monitor.

[crazyme4878]

I have been here five months (SE AZ), from the northern midwest and I must say, I was freaked out about the creepies, too. But so far it has been okay. We have had three scorpions in the house (one was totally my fault). I feel bad about it, but I vacuumed them up. I felt especially bad because I think one was responsible for destroying the cockroach problem I was having.

I have seen only one black widow and that was at night while picking up rocks. For some reason, animals don't seem to affected by scorpion bites; cats supposedly like to hunt and eat them. My advice is to not think about it too much, don't leave your doors open, and have light-colored sheets, at least for the first few months. Okay, I know that last one was strange advice, but I would go to bed at night and then freak out thinking "what if there is a scorpion/centipede in my bed." White or cream colored sheets are easier to check (by the way, all my craziness has only brought me five more minutes of being awake, no bugs!). Also, keep your house clean.

DON'T start reading about everyone else's experiences that they post on the web--it will only make you neurotic!

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by crazyme4878

I have been here five months (SE AZ), from the northern midwest and I must say, I was freaked out about the creepies, too. But so far it has been okay. We have had three scorpions in the house (one was totally my fault). I feel bad about it, but I vacuumed them up. I felt especially bad because I think one was responsible for destroying the cockroach problem I was having.

I have seen only one black widow and that was at night while picking up rocks. For some reason, animals don't seem to affected by scorpion bites; cats supposedly like to hunt and eat them. My advice is to not think about it too much, don't leave your doors open, and have light-colored sheets, at least for the first few months. Okay, I know that last one was strange advice, but I would go to bed at night and then freak out thinking "what if there is a scorpion/centipede in my bed." White or cream colored sheets are easier to check (by the way, all my craziness has only brought me five more minutes of being awake, no bugs!). Also, keep your house clean.

DON'T start reading about everyone else's experiences that they post on the web--it will only make you neurotic!

Actually, use dark sheets. Most scorpions in AZ are a xeric morph, meaning tan (to blend in with the brown/tan landscape). Some of these said species have morphs within their own species to make them even lighter or sometimes a bit darker. Anyways, on dark sheets, a bark scorpion will stick out like a sore thumb. On light colored sheets theyll blend in a lot more. And dont worry about centipedes in your bed. If theyre adults, youll KNOW theyre there w/o even having to look. I kept a Scolopendra heros arizonensis as a pet once (giant centipede). Full grown it was a shade over 8" and probably weighed a few ounces. It was the most ornery little bugger you ever did see.... wouldnt want to take a bite from that guy! Nuh-uh, no way!

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by banger

The more I read about Scorpions and Black Widow spiders, the more creepy I feel.

Snakes, not so much.

Now the question, I am considering a move to either the Flagstaff or Prescott areas, Does the higher elevations and cooler temperatures reduce the occurrence of encountering these insects?

No one seems to directly answer the question if poisons will keep Scorpions away.

I am not afraid of toxic chemicals, having been born and raised in New Jersey, So if I can find a vile enough chemical , Is it possible to keep them away.

You see, I am less concerned about my own safety, as I am about my little (sissy) dog. He has NO survival experience with such matters and therefor knows no fear.

You should probably be creeped out more by mosquitoes than scorpions. No one has died from a scorpion sting in AZ in nearly 50 years whereas many die from West Nile. I agree with Steve-O that the rattlers are the most dangerous, but they are pretty rare in your typical residential setting. As for black widows, just presume they are there in the rock pile, the junk, and firewood. Wear gloves and watch where you put your hands. BWs are not aggressive. You have to be careless, dumb or drunk to get bit by one.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I agree with Steve-O that the rattlers are the most dangerous, but they are pretty rare in your typical residential setting. As for black widows, just presume they are there in the rock pile, the junk, and firewood. Wear gloves and watch where you put your hands. BWs are not aggressive. You have to be careless, dumb or drunk to get bit by one.

Did you just actually agree with me????

But yes, widow bites are pretty rare and, although they certainly suck, do not mean youve just received a certified death sentence, like many people think. Females will spin a web and normally spend her entire life in that single web. If you tear down their web, theyll roam and search for a new place to build a little hut, thats about it. And theyre about the clumsiest, slowest things on earth when theyre off their webs.

[undecided1]

i recently moved to mesa area and am seeing a few of the sewer cockroaches, huge in my book. anyone know what i can do to get rid of these scary looking things? i hear they come in from the sinks. any advice thank you.

[Stumblina]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

I kept a Scolopendra heros arizonensis as a pet once (giant centipede). Full grown it was a shade over 8" and probably weighed a few ounces. It was the most ornery little bugger you ever did see.... wouldnt want to take a bite from that guy! Nuh-uh, no way!

Centipedes bite 8" long Great, now yet ANOTHER thing to have to be aware of in AZ!!!