How bad are the insects in Phoenix? (gated, landscaping)

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by jlzpo1

Is there a seasonal variation regarding the presence of certain insects? i.e. Is there a scorpion season or a black widow season???

Black widows you can see year round, scorpions are active mostly in spring, summer and early fall. During winter when the temps drop, scorpions are hardly active at all.

[shilo0854]

This has probably been mentioned but at night in the summer you probably will see sewer roaches. I hate them! They are about the length of your thumb finger and they do fly. Also if you try to kill them don't just step on one. It will just look at you and laugh. Very hard body.

[Greatday]

Like many areas of the country, Bees continue to cause major problems for some. Here is a story from yesterday:

Dog dies after bee attack; 3 residents recovering

A dog has died and three people are recovering Wednesday after a bee attack Tuesday in south Phoenix.

Fire officials rescued the Phoenix residents from the swarm of bees but were unable to save a dog that was chained up in the back yard, said Capt. Victor Rangel. Two women, a man and the dog received numerous stings. One of the women was allergic to bees and sent to a hospital.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/p...-Bees0402.html

[shilo0854]

I have had tick problems because they travel. So if you have animals and neighbors do you may have a problem in summer.

[jlzpo1]

Originally Posted by shilo0854

I have had tick problems because they travel. So if you have animals and neighbors do you may have a problem in summer.

The tick problem I can understand- it's common here in New England. I am bothered however, by the killer bee thing.

Has anyone experienced a killer bee attack like the event that happened that killed the dog?

[amatrine]

No. I have lived here a very long time, and am allergic to bees. That is rare and why it made the news. In fact we have less bees with the mysterious shrinking bee population.

I used to get them around my flower beds in Mesa and the last two years have not seen them, and my sunflowers did not come back last year as a result.

[Sunshinne]

There are scorpions, but they seem to only be in certain areas, or certain neighborhoods. I moved here in 1995 and had never seen one until 3 years ago. Even if you have your house sprayed every month professionally....if you have scorpions you have scorpions. period.

[jlzpo1]

Originally Posted by Sunshinne

There are scorpions, but they seem to only be in certain areas, or certain neighborhoods. I moved here in 1995 and had never seen one until 3 years ago. Even if you have your house sprayed every month professionally....if you have scorpions you have scorpions. period.

What kind of spray do you use to kill these things? Wouldn't be poisonous for pets or humans as well?

[MotleyCrew]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Like many areas of the country, Bees continue to cause major problems for some. Here is a story from yesterday:

Dog dies after bee attack; 3 residents recovering

A dog has died and three people are recovering Wednesday after a bee attack Tuesday in south Phoenix.

Fire officials rescued the Phoenix residents from the swarm of bees but were unable to save a dog that was chained up in the back yard, said Capt. Victor Rangel. Two women, a man and the dog received numerous stings. One of the women was allergic to bees and sent to a hospital.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/p...-Bees0402.html

My daughter and I were coming back up Vistancia Blvd yesterday and we got hit with a swarm of bees. They just about blackened the windshield. Very scary.

[eastcoast]

How big are these scorpions you are talking about? I am only used to seeing the large ones they show on tv, but I just looked at a picture of a bark scorpion and they had it next to a quarter!!!?!!!???!!!!

How do you kill them? I may be moving to north scottsdale in 3 months and being from the NE the biggest bug I have ever seen was a mosquito measuring 5" in length (but they are harmless and you can squish them). And the spiders dont have big bellys.

I dont want to step on one to kill it or grab paper towels to squish it and have the things be gross or sting me through my shoe.

I wont go outside during the summer here because of the mosquitos and gnats (youd get your protein for a week if you open your mouth long enough) and bugs scare the ____ out of me!!

Help calm my nerves!!!!!!

Thanks!