Snakes, Scorpions, Lizards...HALP! (Cotulla, Bandera: townhouse, landscaping, living in)

[CreekKnoll]

Originally Posted by lisa360

I have been lurking for several weeks on this site. We are planning a move next year, and it has been really informative really all of the great insights here.

But I was just wondering-- does everyone spray their houses with pesticides to keep these critters at bay?? Are there alternatives that actually work but don't involve chemicals? I am really leary of using pesticides at all- but especially inside the house.


Going back to lurking-- thanks!

We don't spray and haven't had a problem with bugs (except that one scorpion the other day :/ ). Just keep your house clean and all is good. Oh, you may have to throw down something on your yard for ants. But that's about it.

[wCat]

ok.....I met my first snake yesterday in our new garden. I don't like snakes. Even if this was only 5" long and looked like an earthworm! I actually thought it was one....a dead one! Until it quickly slithered off! Earthworms don't have eyes and move this fast! But....I looked it up and it was a baby Texas Rat Snake. It was pink with black bug eyes! Apparently I'm supposed to like them as they are natural pest control for mice and rats. That's not a bad thing I suppose because I hate rodents even more!

I wanted greenery....I forgot what comes with it.

[Minz]

Originally Posted by wCat

ok.....I met my first snake yesterday in our new garden. I don't like snakes. Even if this was only 5" long and looked like an earthworm! I actually thought it was one....a dead one! Until it quickly slithered off! Earthworms don't have eyes and move this fast! But....I looked it up and it was a baby Texas Rat Snake. It was pink with black bug eyes! Apparently I'm supposed to like them as they are natural pest control for mice and rats. That's not a bad thing I suppose because I hate rodents even more!

I wanted greenery....I forgot what comes with it.

Yikes! At first I thought you were going to say it's a harmless garden snake, but a pink snake with black eyes sounds a bit creepy. I suppose as long as it is harmless to humans (is it?) and will eat the mice and rats, then it should be a good thing. I hope you don't have any more encounters like that. I hope this thread is not a jinx...like after you read it you encounter a creepy crawlie!?

[wCat]

Originally Posted by Minz

Yikes! At first I thought you were going to say it's a harmless garden snake, but a pink snake with black eyes sounds a bit creepy. I suppose as long as it is harmless to humans (is it?) and will eat the mice and rats, then it should be a good thing. I hope you don't have any more encounters like that. I hope this thread is not a jinx...like after you read it you encounter a creepy crawlie!?

I know. The pink part did sort of creep me out. It was just so tiny that it surprised me. It was so still when I first saw it. I thought it was a dead vine of Johnson grass. When I looked closer that's when I thought it was an earthworm. Gosh...when it took off, it disappeared right under the grass and some leaves.

I'm almost certain I'll see others. The back of this property is very wooded and sort of winds down to Olmos Creek. I've seen some big bull snakes crossing Jones Maltsberger down under 281. Those really are creepy, but are harmless. They are as afraid of us as we are of them! I just don't want to meet any of them in person...

I think rat snakes can bite if completely on the defense, but they are not poisonous. Anyone know for sure?????

[01Snake]

I've lived in SA for 20 years and have yet to come across a live rattlesnake.

[wCat]

Originally Posted by 01Snake

I've lived in SA for 20 years and have yet to come across a live rattlesnake.

Well....mine was a "rat" snake not a "rattler"! I've only seen one rattler in Texas and that was in the sand dunes in a remote area on Mustang Island.

My poor little mom, however did have one of her kitties bring in an adolescent rattler right in her front hallway. They've been in that neighborhood for almost 40 years and never had seen anything but green gekkos. This incident took place right after the big flood of 02. I'm certain some wildlife was washed out of their natural habitat and this was a rare exception. THANK GOODNESS!

[EdgarAllanPogi]

I was just watching a bug program on the discovery channel and was telling the wife how I found a scorpion last Sunday. Well, I decide to go to the garage and sure enough I find another one.

[Steel Man]

Originally Posted by m95roadster

I was just watching a bug program on the discovery channel and was telling the wife how I found a scorpion last Sunday. Well, I decide to go to the garage and sure enough I find another one.

Yep, that is the same critter that was in our downstairs toilet about 2 years ago. I just gave it the Royal Flush with a salute. We also get those small scorpions in our plant in Westover Hills. There was a dead one under my desk last year. I don't know if I killed it by stepping on it accidentally or it was already dead. Now where is my stir-fry sauce?

[EdgarAllanPogi]

Originally Posted by Steel Man

Yep, that is the same critter that was in our downstairs toilet about 2 years ago. I just gave it the Royal Flush with a salute. We also get those small scorpions in our plant in Westover Hills. There was a dead one under my desk last year. I don't know if I killed it by stepping on it accidentally or it was already dead. Now where is my stir-fry sauce?

Scorpion adobo!

[AnthonySA]

You know coming here from Michigan -- i notice the absolute absence of mosquitos. It's great being able to go outside w/o being eaten alive. Actually -- 5 years here and I have yet to be bitten, but whenever I visit Michigan it looks like I have shingles lol .