If Phoenix is that hot, why do so many move there? (costs, pools)

[Garson]

^ Uh....well I just finished 5 years of living in Florida.....
and the mosquitos are horrific, if not why does everyone enclose their back yards in screens? Why is the state government going to the feds for help with mosquito control to help fight the diseases they bring? Municipalities have used up their budgets for mosquito control as the dangers are ever increasing.

I lived in Phoenix for 15 years and saw a scorpion on only 2 occasions. Florida is famous for bugs for a reason.

But no...the bugs are not the worst part of Florida, neither is the weather, it's more the willfully ignorant southern mentality of mediocrity.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by Bert_from_back_East

I never, ever had pest issues in Florida, as the pest control efforts are quite good there, in particular in the upscale coastal communities. I also lived very close to the ocean, so pests were not much of an issue to begin with due to the trade winds, etc.

I observed more mosquitoes and gnats in the air in Arizona during late monsoon season than I ever did in Florida, TBH.

And as far as I'm concerned, dude, scorpions are about the most deadly indoor pest on this side of the world. There are no scorpions in Florida.

People in the West have the most peculiar perceptions of Florida, which probably stem from very limited experience with the state relative to most people in the Midwest, Northeast and South, who mostly grow up taking annual pilgrimages to Florida.

Trust me when I tell you this - pests are the least of your concerns there, LOL.

You forgot about black widows. They are deadlier


And there are scorpions in parts of Florida.

[Diane de Poitiers]

I think it's funny that there's this stereotype about scorpions being so prevalent in Phoenix. Have lived here since I was a teenager, and never once have come across one.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by Diane de Poitiers

I think it's funny that there's this stereotype about scorpions being so prevalent in Phoenix. Have lived here since I was a teenager, and never once have come across one.

It depends on where you live. In my first place here we had 3 in a span of about 3 months. I haven't seen any since.


Those giant sewer roaches are worse, IMO! YUCK!

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by Bert_from_back_East

I

I observed more mosquitoes and gnats in the air in Arizona during late monsoon season than I ever did in Florida, TBH.

There are no scorpions in Florida.

Amen. Skeeters here are horrible by me. Most areas are fine, but some areas are plagued just as bad as anywhere else in the USA. And speaking of gnats, do NOT hike Twobit Peak! They are in swarms up there!!! Its funny watching all the hikers making their way up and down the mountain, arms flailing about trying to keep them off of you. I ate a few on my hike on Sunday. Its inevitable!

And FYI, there are scorpions in Florida (2 species I believe).

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

You forgot about black widows. They are deadlier


And there are scorpions in parts of Florida.

Funny thing is, neither are really "deadly" unless youre a newborn or an elderly person on your deathbed. A sting to a healthy person results in localized pain from a scorpion, perhaps some aches and pains and muscle twitches, labored breathing, etc, but not death. Black widow bites feel like a mild flu. Nothing deadly to be worried about. Funny how both creatures get such a bad rap.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

Funny thing is, neither are really "deadly" unless youre a newborn or an elderly person on your deathbed. A sting to a healthy person results in localized pain from a scorpion, perhaps some aches and pains and muscle twitches, labored breathing, etc, but not death. Black widow bites feel like a mild flu. Nothing deadly to be worried about. Funny how both creatures get such a bad rap.

No, but the venom of a female black widow is more potent than a scorpion. The word "deadly" isn't always used to indicate "death." They are the most venomous spider in the US and they CAN kill, though generally only those who are very old or already in poor health would die from a bite. If you live the bite can be very painful, and the symptoms can last 12 hours to several days.


A small dog would likely die, however. That is why I don't want those spiders in my house.

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

No, but the venom of a female black widow is more potent than a scorpion. The word "deadly" isn't always used to indicate "death." They are the most venomous spider in the US and they CAN kill, though generally only those who are very old or already in poor health would die from a bite. If you live the bite can be very painful, and the symptoms can last 12 hours to several days.


A small dog would likely die, however. That is why I don't want those spiders in my house.

Thats a bold claim. I mean, ounce-for-ounce a widow's venom might be more toxic, but a bark scorpion's venom isnt anything to mess with either. Bark scorpions in Mexico kill hundreds of people annually, whereas widows dont. Im sure it comes down to numbers, but bark scorpion venom is quite toxic, too. Small dogs wouldnt likely die, as long as theyre healthy. Dogs take bites from super venomous rattlers all the time and survive, including small dogs. I wouldnt fret over it.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

Thats a bold claim. I mean, ounce-for-ounce a widow's venom might be more toxic, but a bark scorpion's venom isnt anything to mess with either. Bark scorpions in Mexico kill hundreds of people annually, whereas widows dont. Im sure it comes down to numbers, but bark scorpion venom is quite toxic, too. Small dogs wouldnt likely die, as long as theyre healthy. Dogs take bites from super venomous rattlers all the time and survive, including small dogs. I wouldnt fret over it.

"Drop for drop, a black widow's venom is said to be 15 times more deadly than rattlesnake venom. Yet far more people have been killed by rattlesnake bites, simply because of the much higher quantity of venom injected by the snakes. Very few people bitten by a widow spider actually die, though the bite is painful."


Black Widow :: Saint Louis Zoo




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[Bungle]

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