Are spiders and snakes a problem in Arizona? (Phoenix, Sedona: house, scorpion) - City-Data Forum

Bulldog77 · 12-20-2009, 08:13 AM

How common are poisonous spiders and snakes in that area? I've considered moving from Minnesota to a warmer climate but I'm not sure I can live in the same house as these creatures.

adventuregurl · 12-20-2009, 08:40 AM

Arizona is a big place and some areas will have more snakes than others, and yes some are poisonous. They are not likely to get into your house though unless you leave your doors open.

I believe there are poisonous spiders here but I've never seen one as far as I know. I have seen tarantulas (not in my house but it's been known to happen) and huge wolf spiders but both seem friendly enough.

I live in Sedona which is surrounded by forest land, very urban areas probably have less of both. Personally I would never let them stop me from living somewhere, I'm more cautious about the mountain lions and bears etc.

zonababe · 12-20-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adventuregurl

Arizona is a big place and some areas will have more snakes than others, and yes some are poisonous. They are not likely to get into your house though unless you leave your doors open.

I believe there are poisonous spiders here but I've never seen one as far as I know. I have seen tarantulas (not in my house but it's been known to happen) and huge wolf spiders but both seem friendly enough.

I live in Sedona which is surrounded by forest land, very urban areas probably have less of both. Personally I would never let them stop me from living somewhere, I'm more cautious about the mountain lions and bears etc.

The Javelina are also pretty scary looking.

Grannysroost · 12-20-2009, 09:01 AM

I saw more spiders in MN than I have in AZ and you certainly live with them up there

Javelina's...

azdr0710 · 12-20-2009, 09:01 AM

if this is really a worry for you, you may not be comfortable out here....but you shouldn't let these things scare you.....

as others said, the terrain and environment you live in will dictate how common these creatures are around you....black widows are somewhat common in dusty corners of a garage, for example...tarantulas are not dangerous....I do a lot of hiking and have only seen about five rattlers in my life out in the wilds and one at a construction site many years ago....they'll rattle and give you warning....

keep your house, inside and out, clean and watch your pets....

Bummer · 12-20-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulldog77

How common are poisonous spiders and snakes in that area? I've considered moving from Minnesota to a warmer climate but I'm not sure I can live in the same house as these creatures.

No slam against Minnesota intended, Bulldog . . .

However, no extremely rare spider or snake encounter can compare to those Minnesota Mosquitos about the size of SMALL CATS.

mohawkx · 12-20-2009, 10:12 AM

Lots of black widows and brown recluse spiders here. Lots of scorpions too. You don't want to shine a black light in your back yard or your woodpile. Snakes are generally more afraid of you than you of them. Just carry a walking stick, don't run through the desert barefoot and don't let your dog run free through the desert. Most likely, you'll back into a cactus before you ever see any of the above.

AZJoeD · 12-20-2009, 10:33 AM

I moved here from Chicago 8 years ago, and yes I have had several run ins with Rattlers and Scorpians. But it is not like they are crawling all over. I live pretty far out in the North Valley in an area where all the homes have a minimum 1 acre. I encounter 2 or 3 rattlers a year. If you live closer in or in a subdivison you may never see one.

Scorpions are all around, but they seem to be attracted to rocky areas more, so again if you live in a subdivison or in the city you will not see too many.

I highly recommend a pest control service. With just normal care these things should not be a problem.

Steve Pickering · 12-20-2009, 03:35 PM

I bought property over next to the Gila and the Akchin reservations in 82 (Maricopa Area), and as soon as we put in water the snakes started coming in. About 10 to 15 a month. A couple of poisonous Gila monsters, several tarantulas, and dozens of scorpions made an appearance also. Spiders besides tarantulas, yes, mostly black widows, but mostly in the barn and shed. Oh, yes, the pump house also. I crossed paths with a Grand Canyon Pink Rattler in the dark when I hiked the canyon from rim to rim on my fortieth birthday in 1987. I had a brother-in-law stung by a tarantula sitting in a chair in Phoenix (35th Ave. and Thomas). There are many other biting bugs when you get outside of the city, and you will always see Really Big Cockroaches and Boil Weevils by the ton. The big surprise is the huge number of both Egypti and German brown mosquitoes. Clouds of them and they are hungry.

AZDesertBrat · 12-21-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adventuregurl

Arizona is a big place and some areas will have more snakes than others, and yes some are poisonous. They are not likely to get into your house though unless you leave your doors open.

I believe there are poisonous spiders here but I've never seen one as far as I know. I have seen tarantulas (not in my house but it's been known to happen) and huge wolf spiders but both seem friendly enough.

I live in Sedona which is surrounded by forest land, very urban areas probably have less of both. Personally I would never let them stop me from living somewhere, I'm more cautious about the mountain lions and bears etc.

I haven't seen a scorpion since I was a little kid but a couple years ago I saw my share of rattlesnakes! I was taking care of a guy at his home and they lived in the foothills of Mingus Mountain. They had tons of birds and rabbits that hung out in their yard because they kept them well fed and it attracted the snakes. One day I was out filling all the feeders when I heard that tell tale rattle. Looked down and there was one of the biggest snakes I've ever seen! Lucky for me he had a bird in his mouth and I got the heck outta there! From then on I was really careful when I went in the yard. Had the fire dept. come and get a couple of really big ones that summer. Otherwise, I never see any of those critters.

I admit I've been kinda 'mean' in the past and told people thinking about moving here that we have all these horrid poisonous critters! They moved here anyway. lol