Scorpions, Tarantulas, Snakes, Oh-My (Austin: office, poisonous, area)

[grantpoll]

I moved from Louisiana a few years ago, and I never saw a scorpion. Several months back we found one in the bathroom, and I tried to kill it with paper towels. Not a smart move...Anyway, it stuck me, but evidently, the poison got absorbed through the towels. I'd say to always leave doors closed. Don't leave a bunch of papers lying around. I hear that scorpions LOVE paper. Also, I'd advise the children not to play in any tall grass. There can be snakes, scorpions and anything else imaginable. Anyway, Austin, Texas is a great place to live. Don't let it scare the family!

[mm57553]

Originally Posted by Driftwood1

Found this "little" guy this morning.
I have seen these 12" long.
Gimme a house full of scorpions rather than just one of these nasties inside!
Each leg is a stinger.. ouch..
Cheers

What the hell........?

I live in Steiner Ranch, on a greenbelt. We see scorpions a lot and snakes (mostly rat snakes). And they don't really bother me. We did see a coral snake in our neighbor's front yard, which kind of freaked me out because our kids and the neighbors' kids all play out there. And tarantulas still give me the heeby jeebies as do those big-ass tree roaches. 9No arachnid or insect should be that big). I know there are rattlesnakes around (our neighbor's dog was bitten), but I have yet to see one.

But I have never seen one of these centipedes. If I do, I may just have to pack up and move.

[Driftwood1]

We see two or three/year and have had them IN the house!!
They are Scolopendra (sp)
Scolopendra: Definition from Answers.com

We of course live out in the hills but we have friends who had one, also in the house, in Circle C!!
These make me stepback even faster than snakes. Cant say why, they just do..
They are said to eat Tarantulas..
Cheers

[joedeluca]

If you get a couple chickens and let them free range for part of the day around your yard it's doubtful you'll ever see another scorpion except when the chicken is eating one. Of course keeping your chickens alive can be a chore in parts of SW Austin where we live. The coyotes seem to love them as much as house cats.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by mm57553

What the hell........?

I live in Steiner Ranch, on a greenbelt. We see scorpions a lot and snakes (mostly rat snakes). And they don't really bother me. We did see a coral snake in our neighbor's front yard, which kind of freaked me out because our kids and the neighbors' kids all play out there. And tarantulas still give me the heeby jeebies as do those big-ass tree roaches. 9No arachnid or insect should be that big). I know there are rattlesnakes around (our neighbor's dog was bitten), but I have yet to see one.

But I have never seen one of these centipedes. If I do, I may just have to pack up and move.

So much misinformation on this thread! Giant centipedes have a strong poisonous bite but it is not from each leg. It is also not from the menacing pincers at their rear. They bite from the front. They are spectacular in appearance with a red or yellow head and legs.

I see them several times a year at my Lake Travis area home. I usually seem them in darker places - such as under rotting wood, concrete blocks, etc. They move fairly quickly. The biggest I have seen is 8 inches.

And who said scorpions are not poisonous? They also have a powerful sting - I have been stung on two different occasions. Scorpions are not easily controlled with regular pesticides. I believe the best thing to do is control the things they eat - which is other bugs.

When I see a tarantula - I usually try to scoop it up in a container and relocate it out of harms way.

[Driftwood1]

I kindof beg to differ..
While I have never been bitten or trod across by one of these centipedes, neighbors say this is exactly what happens. See link below

Arthropod Museum, Dept. of Entomology, University of Arkansas

The photo of the centipede is exactly the same as the ones we see. If this is incorrect I surely apologise, but it looks the same to me. More research needed!!
I can of course repost the photos of the ones we've killed, but I think they are in this thread somewhere..

I have however been stung 4 times by scorpions and fins them only mildly annoying, the sting from a red wasp is MUCH more painful to me. Perhaps I'm thick skinned as well as thick headed!
Cheers all

[hoffdano]

That Arkansas article cites some anecdotal language about the legs. But all encyclopedic types of articles are consistent in that the venom is carried only by two "claws" in the front of the centipede.

http://insects.suite101.com/article....ant_centipedes

http://www.scolopendra.be/biology.php

I have never been bitten by a centipede and hope it never happens.

I am somewhat sensitive to stings and scorpions HURT me. Once a scorpion was inside a shirt I put on and it stung me five times in my armpit. But it paid a price for his fun.

[Driftwood1]

Well that's the web for ya, but I have seen many other references to the legs stinging as well ... either way, they are nasty buggers, and we see at least 1/year ..
On the scorpions, indeed they will repeatedly sting until you knock em off, but then the red wasps will actually attack from the air!
Critters n Texas, gotta luv this thread!

Originally Posted by hoffdano

That Arkansas article cites some anecdotal language about the legs. But all encyclopedic types of articles are consistent in that the venom is carried only by two "claws" in the front of the centipede.

Giant Centipedes: The Characteristics of Scolopendra Gigantea

Scolopendra - giant centipedes - biology

I have never been bitten by a centipede and hope it never happens.

I am somewhat sensitive to stings and scorpions HURT me. Once a scorpion was inside a shirt I put on and it stung me five times in my armpit. But it paid a price for his fun.

[mm57553]

I was stung by a scorpion for the first time last night - in my own freakin' bed. And I don't care if their legs sting or not, if I ever see one of those centipede things, I'm moving.

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by mm57553

I was stung by a scorpion for the first time last night - in my own freakin' bed. And I don't care if their legs sting or not, if I ever see one of those centipede things, I'm moving.

What part of town do you live in?