Centipedes, scorpions, tarantulas

[DCtoTejas]

Originally Posted by Nor Cal Wahine

We have all three in great supply here in far west Oak Hill. Tarantulas don't bother us a bit; they're the sign of a healthy ecosystem and they aren't the slightest bit aggressive. We often step out on our back porch to find one clinging onto our limestone brick wall. We just say hello and carry on. Now, watching one being dragged away by a tarantula hawk is an entirely different story that I'll save for another thread, however. Suffice to say, the tarantula hawks scare me the most.

We also have centipedes and scorpions but - as of today - this is the first year we've got all the way to mid-July without seeing one in the house. Miracle! We get every other month pest control through Bulwark and they've told us that our home is a scorpion target due to our creek and active spring on our property. They're usually slow-moving and half-dead by the time they get inside, but we still use an abundance of caution and deploy the "don't put your hands or feet where you can't see them" strategy. Follow that advice and you will be ok.

I got stung by a scorpion in my bed while I slept about 2 weeks ago, it was an alarming way to wake up, to say the least. I blame myself in a joking way as I had been blabbing to my gf about how we hadn't seen any in the house this year and how we were out of the woods with them so to speak. Once the surprise wore off it wasn't that bad, pretty much like a bee sting, and will serve to make me less spooked by them in general going forward. I took it as my "I live in Texas officially now" moment.

We have large unimproved pasture / woods behind the house which is where they come from. I fear for how many will show up if / when it gets developed. Far south Austin, Slaughter lane.

[eirenecat]

Depends on what part of town you live in. When I was in HS, living in Lakeway, I woke up one day and found a tarantula in my bathtub. (My mom did not believe me until I made her come see it. Surprise!) When I lived in rural Oak Hill near the Austin Zoo AND when I lived out in Manor, I had scorpions inside galore (pregnant mama scorpion dripping babies coming out of my bathroom fan, OMFG) and centipedes too, rattlesnakes outside, etc.

In Central Austin and North Austin I have never had anything more disturbing inside than a wolf spider.

[ATX Wahine]

Originally Posted by eirenecat

When I lived in rural Oak Hill near the Austin Zoo AND when I lived out in Manor, I had scorpions inside galore (pregnant mama scorpion dripping babies coming out of my bathroom fan, OMFG) and centipedes

That's exactly where we live. lol. It's just 20 minutes to downtown but feels such a long distance from the hustle & bustle of the city. The wildlife here is just amazing. I could definitely do without the scorpions out here, though.

Oh - and DCtoTejas - we check the bed every single night before we climb in. Religiously. Pillows, between sheets, etc. Can't stop a freak attack like yours, but we do all that we can to. Sorry that happened to you!

[CT_ATX]

Originally Posted by Westerner92

In the five years I've lived here, I haven't seen any centipedes, scorpions, or tarantulas, inside or out.

Yeah, I've lived here 10 years and haven't seen any either. I'm sure they are out there though.

[DCtoTejas]

Originally Posted by Nor Cal Wahine

That's exactly where we live. lol. It's just 20 minutes to downtown but feels such a long distance from the hustle & bustle of the city. The wildlife here is just amazing. I could definitely do without the scorpions out here, though.

Oh - and DCtoTejas - we check the bed every single night before we climb in. Religiously. Pillows, between sheets, etc. Can't stop a freak attack like yours, but we do all that we can to. Sorry that happened to you!

Thanks! I'm doing it pretty religiously now too! We have a little 7lb dog who was also in the bed, I'm just glad it was me that got stung instead of him or my gf.

[janejanejanejanejane]

Guys, she said central austin. It's going to be different than hill country.

[A-Tex]

Scorpions are fairly common and get inside easily. I've seen them a lot more frequently in the last couple of years. Same with centipedes and millipedes.

Tarantulas can also get inside. In my experience they tend to be more common west of Mopac and close to the lake.

Central Austin is full of tree roaches. When it gets dry and hot, they will come inside looking for water and also like to dive bomb humans outside, just like you experienced in Florida.

There are many many many bugs and spiders here. Many you've probably never seen before or heard of. This is not a place to live and expect to be bug free.