[cake.or.death11]

I'm not a typically squeamish person, but the bug stories from Vegas do have me getting a bit nervous. I've never had to deal with cockroaches before, and don't relish the idea of ever having to do so. At first, I didn't think it would bother me, but the more I think about it, the less comfortable I get with the idea of having a buggy apartment. *twitch*

[5kingsinvegas]

Originally Posted by kimba01

Ugh!! Who found them and where? What did you do? My husband is there now. I told him I want a report on this apt. He better do any caulking and exterminating before I get there and I know it still will be challenging.

First let me say that in the 2 years we have been here (WOW 2 years already!!) this is the first time I have even laid eyes on a live scorpion. The first one was in my daughters' bathroom and my oldest found it while picking up the rugs to mop the floor. The second one was AFTER the bug guy sprayed and was crawling up our livingroom wall during the day, which is unusual. My husband caught both of them and kept them in a jar. (he thought he had a new pet, NOT)

Our bug guy came the next day and re sprayed and now our fingers are crossed. They were, thankfully, not the Bark Scorpion but the Desert Scorpion which is supposedly similar to a bee sting if they get you. Still, not interested in finding out the truth in that statement, so hopefully they are gone.

[BUGBULLY]

Originally Posted by cake.or.death11

I'm not a typically squeamish person, but the bug stories from Vegas do have me getting a bit nervous. I've never had to deal with cockroaches before, and don't relish the idea of ever having to do so. At first, I didn't think it would bother me, but the more I think about it, the less comfortable I get with the idea of having a buggy apartment. *twitch*

Just call them Water Bugs, then they do not sound as bad.

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by cake.or.death11

I'm not a typically squeamish person, but the bug stories from Vegas do have me getting a bit nervous. I've never had to deal with cockroaches before, and don't relish the idea of ever having to do so. At first, I didn't think it would bother me, but the more I think about it, the less comfortable I get with the idea of having a buggy apartment. *twitch*

I know of no place in the US/Canada/Europe without cockroaches. They live absolutely anywhere that man does. Las Vegas has a relatively minor problem with them. Wet climates are far worse.

Virtually all apartments everywhere has problems with cockroaches. Wherever you are there is always one slob who keeps them going.

Good hygiene and bug control are the secret.

[olecapt]

Originally Posted by 5kingsinvegas

First let me say that in the 2 years we have been here (WOW 2 years already!!) this is the first time I have even laid eyes on a live scorpion. The first one was in my daughters' bathroom and my oldest found it while picking up the rugs to mop the floor. The second one was AFTER the bug guy sprayed and was crawling up our livingroom wall during the day, which is unusual. My husband caught both of them and kept them in a jar. (he thought he had a new pet, NOT)

Our bug guy came the next day and re sprayed and now our fingers are crossed. They were, thankfully, not the Bark Scorpion but the Desert Scorpion which is supposedly similar to a bee sting if they get you. Still, not interested in finding out the truth in that statement, so hopefully they are gone.

Post a picture. I am skeptical. Every scorpion I have seen was a bark.

Buy a black light and go hunting. If you cut the population back it cuts down intrusions.

[jpk]

The mosquitos in MI are bad and you won't get that in the arid NV desert. You can sit outside at night and not get attacked by the blood suckers.

But, the Black Widow spiders are all over the place and give me the serious heeby-jeebies. That is one scary, nasty looking spider. I have found two in my garage and my skin still crawls when thinking about those things.

[5kingsinvegas]

Originally Posted by olecapt

Post a picture. I am skeptical. Every scorpion I have seen was a bark.

Buy a black light and go hunting. If you cut the population back it cuts down intrusions.

Not the best at the picture thing but here is the best I could get.

[guinnessjim]

Originally Posted by 5kingsinvegas

Not the best at the picture thing but here is the best I could get.

hard to really see the pics...but they look like desert hairys (do they have 'hair'?) the native scorp does (it isn't really hair).

other diagnostic traits = overall size, size of pedipalps (claws) and tail. the bark is significantly smaller species and, as is most often the case w/ more venomous scorps, has very slender claws.

on another note...twice this weekend i saw this beetle around my yard that was HUGE...biggest one i have ever seen in the USA. all black and pbby >3" long and at least an inch wide (longer than a credit card and about 1/2 the width of one). neone know what kind this is? i did a quick search and couldn't find anything like it. i'll try to get a pic if it shows back up again.


**edit** i just did some more looking around and think this might be the beast: Species Derobrachus hovorei - Palo Verde Root Borer - BugGuide.Net neone else seen these around LV?

[BUGBULLY]

Probably a long horn beetle. Do you have wood or wood pallets around you home?

[kimba01]

Originally Posted by jpk

The mosquitos in MI are bad and you won't get that in the arid NV desert. You can sit outside at night and not get attacked by the blood suckers.

But, the Black Widow spiders are all over the place and give me the serious heeby-jeebies. That is one scary, nasty looking spider. I have found two in my garage and my skin still crawls when thinking about those things.

Ok, seriously rethinking my MI bug phobia. I told my husband to sit in the dark for a little bit then turn on the lights and check for critters. I don't think he will tell me if there are!! It just may be all I need to can the whole move!