How bad are the insects in Phoenix? (for sale, rent)

[Sunshinne]

People, bark scorpions may make you really sick or even hospitalize you if you have a bad reaction to a sting, especially children. Do some research, google-bark scorpions. Some neighborhoods never see scorpions and some have them. It just depends on what neighborhood you move to. Even some houses in some neighborhoods have them while others may not. You just don't know unless you buy a house from an honest person that discloses that information. But if you have scorpions then you need to spray regularly to kill their food source.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by jlzpo1

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

I've never sprayed my homes - ever! I think I'm just lucky. Either that or I don't dwell on it like lots of people. If you're looking for bugs and scorpions then you'll probably find them.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Sunshinne

People, bark scorpions may make you really sick or even hospitalize you if you have a bad reaction to a sting, especially children. Do some research, google-bark scorpions. Some neighborhoods never see scorpions and some have them. It just depends on what neighborhood you move to. Even some houses in some neighborhoods have them while others may not. You just don't know unless you buy a house from an honest person that discloses that information. But if you have scorpions then you need to spray regularly to kill their food source.

I have been stung on more than one occasion. Bark scorpion bites don't make otherwise healthy people "sick". In the vast, vast majority of cases it stings, goes numb and goes away without incident. No one has died of a sting in AZ in over 40 years. Many more die of bee stings here. If you call poison control after being stung, they yawn and tell you to take aspirin - even kids. Everyone in AZ has scorpions. They just think they don't because scorpions hide and remain unseen in the cracks and crevices. Don't kid yourself. These bugs are as much a part of life here as the never-ending sunshine. For those considering a move, if you can't deal with that reality then don't come here.

[Sharkey514]

You are correct, Ponderosa. These bugs ARE a part of life here. Bugs, animals, and all sorts of critters are part of the life here. Here is the reality for us...
Scorpions: Depends where you live and when the house was built. You just may have bad luck - some houses sit on "nests". We had several when we moved into the house (previous owners lied to us). We got the house professionally sealed. I think if you live in Fountain Hills or around any mountain/preserve areas, you will find more. Someone living on Camelback Mountain told me that she had a lot of them. We spray every month. They tend to show-up certain times of the year with more frequency at our house. With the exception of the honesty of this forum, I have not found anyone to admit publicly about having scorpions. We use brake cleaning spray to kill them.

Gila Monsters: I saw one about 25 years ago on the Mountain Preserve trail. Someone I know in Fountain Hills saw one last year in their yard.
Javelina: Saw 6 of them on my driveway last night -- they are in North Scottsdale and the Preserve.
Bobcat: Reports from friends in Fountain Hills, East Shea (past 100th) and McDowell Mountain area. We saw a small one last month near Jomax and Scottsdale Rd.
Mountain Lion: Saw one last year in the Desert Highlands - Pinnacle Peak area --
Coyote: Early morning - see them in packs sometimes.
Roof Rats and Pack Rats - Yep -- and even if you go to those fancy Scottsdale resorts, you will find their little rat poops on the patio furniture of your over-priced $600 per night "deluxe" room.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Sharkey514

You are correct, Ponderosa. These bugs ARE a part of life here. Bugs, animals, and all sorts of critters are part of the life here. Here is the reality for us...
Scorpions: Depends where you live and when the house was built. You just may have bad luck - some houses sit on "nests". We had several when we moved into the house (previous owners lied to us). We got the house professionally sealed. I think if you live in Fountain Hills or around any mountain/preserve areas, you will find more. Someone living on Camelback Mountain told me that she had a lot of them. We spray every month. They tend to show-up certain times of the year with more frequency at our house. With the exception of the honesty of this forum, I have not found anyone to admit publicly about having scorpions. We use brake cleaning spray to kill them.

Gila Monsters: I saw one about 25 years ago on the Mountain Preserve trail. Someone I know in Fountain Hills saw one last year in their yard.
Javelina: Saw 6 of them on my driveway last night -- they are in North Scottsdale and the Preserve.
Bobcat: Reports from friends in Fountain Hills, East Shea (past 100th) and McDowell Mountain area. We saw a small one last month near Jomax and Scottsdale Rd.
Mountain Lion: Saw one last year in the Desert Highlands - Pinnacle Peak area --
Coyote: Early morning - see them in packs sometimes.
Roof Rats and Pack Rats - Yep -- and even if you go to those fancy Scottsdale resorts, you will find their little rat poops on the patio furniture of your over-priced $600 per night "deluxe" room.

What's with the Javelina? I've been seeing them too around Estrella. I've never seen one here before. I do like seeing them. It makes me forget for a second that I live in a crowded city.

[amatrine]

Last time I seen javelina was years ago in the bloody basin near black canyon city. Never seen them in town. Wow. They must be hungry or something.

Ama

[trefive]

I had a scorpion in my garage that I noticed yesterday afternoon. Judging from the fact that it was flattened and in my driving path, he met his fate with my car tire. First one I've seen in a while...as it gets warmer they start to come back. Brace yourselves :-)

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

What's with the Javelina? I've been seeing them too around Estrella. I've never seen one here before. I do like seeing them. It makes me forget for a second that I live in a crowded city.

Out here in the Superstition Mountain area, we see them all the time.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Out here in the Superstition Mountain area, we see them all the time.

Im probably the only one who thinks thats cool. I frickin love scorpions, Id consider having them around as being "lucky". LMBO

[amatrine]

Wow, Id hate to see what happens to you when you are " UNlucky" Lol

Ama