Fear of snakes, spiders, scorpions, etc... (Austin: how much, limousine, tornadoes)

[mamacatnv]

Originally Posted by love roses

Keep the soil around your homes foundation damp.

Why? what is the purpose of this?

[kbchitown]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

Scorpion stings are like wasp stings. I know.

Wrong...certain species of scorpion (which are not in this area) the sting can be fatal.

[hamjeepr]

Originally Posted by mamacatnv

Why? what is the purpose of this?

Most homes have slab foundations. With a slab foundation, the clay underneath will dry out during summer months, creating cracks both in the foundation and damage to the home. If you keep a soaker hose along the base of your home, this will reduce the chances of serious damage. I used the recycled tire soaker hoses under simple mulch along the edge of the foundation and would allow them to run on low for about an hour a day - just enough to keep it damp.

Here is another post where this is discussed:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/austi...ms-repair.html

[Danimarie]

I'm kinda freaking out with all this new info. I'm so scared of these things! The spiders are freaking me out majorly. How do you kill a scorpion? With the spiders, do you go after them and kill them or what? Ack!

Bugs have always freaked me out, but poisonous ones bring a whole other level of freak out. I guess I will get used to it, but for now, I'm kind of panicking!

[texastrigirl]

A scorpion can kind of be thought of like a bee. Sometimes they can be rather large but mostly they are small like a bee. The wolf spiders are intimidating but harmless and honestly, you won't see tarantulas regularly. That's like a newsworthy occurence in most neighborhoods other than new construction areas.

Don't panic. Think of it as a way to help you get over your fears and to move on expending that energy elsewhere!

[skelaki]

Having grown up and living with all the mentioned critters plus coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats. etc. I can honestly say that it's really no big deal. You learn to live with them and how to. Can they be dangerous? In some cases, yes. But most of the time they want to stay away from you just as much if not more than you want to keep from them. Because I was taught respect and how to avoid being bit by snakes for example, I have never been bitten even though I spent a lot of my childhood with a snakebite kit in my back pocket (and knew how to use it).

I'm not saying you have to love 'em (I'm not fond of scorpions myself) but you also don't have to fear them as long as you respect them. As far as coral snakes go, Romeandjill is correct. If you see what you believe to be a coral snake, just remember, "red touch black poison lack. red touch yellow, kill a fellow." Not sure if the last part is literal or a bit poetic but the color combo is true.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by kbchitown

Wrong...certain species of scorpion (which are not in this area) the sting can be fatal.

In the United States, the only lethal scorpion is the Arizona bark scorpion. Since this is the Austin forum I replied about the only kinds of scorpions found here. They are the striped bark scorpion (most common) and the Texas cave scorpion.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by Danimarie

I'm kinda freaking out with all this new info. I'm so scared of these things! The spiders are freaking me out majorly. How do you kill a scorpion? With the spiders, do you go after them and kill them or what? Ack!

Bugs have always freaked me out, but poisonous ones bring a whole other level of freak out. I guess I will get used to it, but for now, I'm kind of panicking!

I am always amused by people who freak out about bugs. I am much more afraid of politicians than any bug.

The best way to kill a scorpion is to physically kill it. I mean smash it. Most pesticides ("Raid") are ineffective. Scorpions will laugh at you if you use chemicals against them.

Tarantulas are cool. There is no reason to kill one. If you find one, capture it in a container and relocate it. They are more like animals than bugs.

Giant centipedes are the most impressive bugs around here. Spectacular and creepy as can be. Smash these unless they are outside.

Never kill a lizard. We have several kinds around here. The Mediterranean house Gecko is common and they are cute and just eat bugs. We have green Anoles (beautiful), whiptails (they move fast), spiny lizards (our cats seem to like capturing these), and probably a few others.

[kittenlittle]

My biggest bug fear are those giant centipedes. I haven't seen one in person yet and hopefully ever, and I'm thankful for that. I'm also not too fond of brown recluse spiders. I grew up in a place with black widows every where and was only bitten once with no real damage.

The scorpions inside, that the cat didn't kill, I trapped them in a jar and threw them outside. They don't move too fast.

You really have to watch out for wasp and hornets though. Definitely get some spray just in case.

The vet told us that fleas are a big problem here for pets, inside and outside. I don't know if they inside thing is that true because my cats are flea-free, and occasionally go outside.

I haven't lived in the Austin area for too long so I wouldn't know about here, but when I lived in San Antonio, I noticed mosquitoes weren't a problem. Never saw a single one(and I'm a popular bug restaurant!). I'm guessing the bats ate them.

Overall, I wouldn't worry about the bugs and snakes unless you live near big natural open areas.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by hamjeepr

I used the recycled tire soaker hoses under simple mulch along the edge of the foundation and would allow them to run on low for about an hour a day - just enough to keep it damp.

Just a reminder - if you are in Austin, during the current Stage 2 water restrictions, this is a violation.

It does not matter what your reasoning, you are only allowed to water one day a week under current conditions.