How bad are the insects in Phoenix? (Scottsdale, Fountain Hills: hospital, houses)

[Sunshinne]

Originally Posted by jlzpo1

I'm not happy by this message Is this the first time such an incident has happened to you, or is it more common than what Phoenicians are willing to admit to??????

BTW, what kind of pattern do squished African bees make on the windshield?

The bee migration pattern now includes moving through the state of AZ in the spring. I am not sure if it was always like this, and I don't think you really see the huge swarms in the summer. My son and his buddy were playing in the backyard a few years ago and my husband heard a buzzing sort of like an electrical tower would sound. Then he saw a huge dark looking cloud like mass in the sky and realized it was a swarm of bees. He grabbed both boys and ran inside. Sure enough they flew right through our yard, tons of them. This happened in March.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Sunshinne

You really can't kill scorpions by spraying pesticide unless you spray them directly, and they hide during the day and hunt for bugs at night. I have been told that all you can do is kill their food source...crickets, etc. If they eat a poisoned big then they will get sick and die. You can use those sticky boxes too that they can't get out of once they are stuck. As far as a safe effective spray that won't hurt pets and humans? Who knows. The exterminating companies all claim that once the spray is dried it won't harm you but years down the road phx may have the greatest cases of leukemia from having to spray for bugs every month. Sorry to sound so negative.

I never spray - that stuff is worse than the bugs in my opinion. People around here are so into "services" - bug man, pool man, landscape man, bottled water man. I have never seen anything like it. Maybe it's the cheap labor from all the illegals that makes these unnecessary services seem so essential.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I never spray - that stuff is worse than the bugs in my opinion. People around here are so into "services" - bug man, pool man, landscape man, bottled water man. I have never seen anything like it. Maybe it's the cheap labor from all the illegals that makes these unnecessary services seem so essential.

I have regular pest control services where I live - and I would not be without it. We have scorpions in our area - and the regular spraying keeps them at bay.

As for a pool service - yes - we have that too. Same with landscaping - I would rather pay someone and free up my own personal time -

OBTW - all those that service my home are legally in country. And, they are not "cheap"

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Greatday

I have regular pest control services where I live - and I would not be without it. We have scorpions in our area - and the regular spraying keeps them at bay.

As for a pool service - yes - we have that too. Same with landscaping - I would rather pay someone and free up my own personal time -

OBTW - all those that service my home are legally in country. And, they are not "cheap"

What, no bottled water/cooler water delivery?

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

What, no bottled water/cooler water delivery?

No - a) We are too far out. B) We have a whole house water treatment system including double R/O

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I never spray - that stuff is worse than the bugs in my opinion. People around here are so into "services" - bug man, pool man, landscape man, bottled water man. I have never seen anything like it. Maybe it's the cheap labor from all the illegals that makes these unnecessary services seem so essential.

I forgot maid service and nannies. Phoenix has a lot in common with a third world country with the "haves" and the "have-nots". Anyhow, think of all the gas one could put in the Hummer with the savings from stepping on the occasional scorpion instead of spraying toxic chemicals around the house, trimming the bushes, dropping one's own tablets in the pool once in while, cleaning the house for themselves, and raising their own kids.

It's a good life if you got the money for it - and you can stand the heat, the killer bees, tarantulas and the wasps that hunt them, the West Nile virus, and cockroaches big as your hand (to put it back OT). That, and of course, there is no downtown. LOL.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I forgot maid service and nannies.
It's a good life if you got the money for it - and you can stand the heat,

Yes - we have a full time housekeeper. So? No kids at home so, we do not need any nannies.

We do not have any "Hummers" - we have Volvo XC90's - his and hers. They get great gas mileage.

And, we live in the desert - at the base of the Superstition Moutain - Northwest of Florence Junction - Scorpions and snakes are part of the territory - I do a 40 mile each way drive into my office but, coming home is wonderful - no noise - no cars - just wonderful clear nights and stars - lots of stars.

[jlzpo1]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Yes - we have a full time housekeeper. So? No kids at home so, we do not need any nannies.

We do not have any "Hummers" - we have Volvo XC90's - his and hers. They get great gas mileage.

And, we live in the desert - at the base of the Superstition Moutain - Northwest of Florence Junction - Scorpions and snakes are part of the territory - I do a 40 mile each way drive into my office but, coming home is wonderful - no noise - no cars - just wonderful clear nights and stars - lots of stars.

What has been people's experience if they actually don't spray? Is it that bad?

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by jlzpo1

What has been people's experience if they actually don't spray? Is it that bad?

Where I reside - yes. We have a lot of scorpions and "critters". But - regular pest control takes care of the problems

[amatrine]

I did not spray in the 4 years I lived in my Mesa home. Had some ant issues, a few spiders. Nothing too bad.

Ama