Scorpions? Rattlers? Coyotes? in Temecula/Murrieta? (San Diego, Escondido: house, scorpion, earthquakes)

[Goin' Coastal]

Posted earlier in San Diego Forum:

My husband and I live up in the Bay Area and are heading down
to check out your area as we consider relocation in our retirement.

Early in our marriage, we lived in North SD County, and I don't
recall snakes, scorpions, coyotes, or anything of that nature in the little
tract we lived in way back 30 years ago.

However, I thought I'd just check your area and see if these critters may
be of concern. We have 3 dogs, and while we don't leave them outdoors,
I do want to be aware of anything i have to keep an eye out for.

I understand coyotes get pretty aggressive, so that is worrisome, but rattlers scare me,
too. And as a native Texan, I just hate scorpions, period.

Specifically we are looking at Vintage Hills and at west Murrieta.

Am I being overly concerned? Y'know, like people in other parts of the
country often are about our earthquakes?

[Gurbie]

Originally Posted by Goin' Coastal

Posted earlier in San Diego Forum:

My husband and I live up in the Bay Area and are heading down
to check out your area as we consider relocation in our retirement.

Early in our marriage, we lived in North SD County, and I don't
recall snakes, scorpions, coyotes, or anything of that nature in the little
tract we lived in way back 30 years ago.

However, I thought I'd just check your area and see if these critters may
be of concern. We have 3 dogs, and while we don't leave them outdoors,
I do want to be aware of anything i have to keep an eye out for.

I understand coyotes get pretty aggressive, so that is worrisome, but rattlers scare me,
too. And as a native Texan, I just hate scorpions, period.

Specifically we are looking at Vintage Hills and at west Murrieta.

Am I being overly concerned? Y'know, like people in other parts of the
country often are about our earthquakes?

Yes, the Temecula/Murrieta area has ALL those critters, and many more!

But you don't have to be afraid of them. Part of the charm of living in "edge" cities is being close to nature.

Do a little research on how to protect you and your pets at home and on the trail, and you'll do fine.

[Danalysd]

I have never seen a scorpion, doesn't mean they are not here but I haven't seen them. Most yards are fenced around here so I don't worry about the coyotes. I have seen a coyote on the golf course a few times midday and also running down a street but usually you dont see them in the day time. We do hear them every night in Southern Temecula during the summer when we have the windows open. I have never seen a rattler in the housing tracts either. Yes I do go outside a lot, take my daughter to the park etc. I am currently sitting on my back patio as I type this. I see rattlers when we go hiking but have never seen them in my yard or anyone else's. Black widows I see every summer.

[wrcousert]

A local Murrieta park put up signs warning people about rattle snakes. I don't recall ever seeing these in Orange or LA county.

[Duez]

What have a skunk that lives behind our house in Temecula and a racoon the size of a small dog that hangs out in our backyard. They spotted a mountain lion in San Marcos, but that's a good distance from Temecula.

[98PanAm]

Originally Posted by wrcousert

A local Murrieta park put up signs warning people about rattle snakes. I don't recall ever seeing these in Orange or LA county.

I don't know if you mean you don't recall seeing snakes or just the warning signs for them around the LA area, but there are "watch for rattlesnakes" signs at a couple of parks I've been to recently, one off Mulholland and one in Simi Valley. I don't think they're uncommon, and even if the signs aren't there, the snakes are.

[LuvSouthOC]

As I said in the SD thread:


I encounter rattle snakes on occasion here in Laguna Niguel/Aliso Viejo and into Laguna Beach. We also have coyotes and recently, a 90 lb. mountain lion, thought to have been gone from more coastal OC, turned up in Laguna Niguel. Story here.

Coyotes are all over the place on the OC side of the Cleveland Forest on the San Juan side, so I am guessing there have to be coyotes in Murrieta/Temecula.

Scorpions I have not seen but used to encounter in Escondido (15 miles from Temecula?) when I used to hike there.

[dober1]

If you want to see scorpians during the day turn over some flat rocks or other ground cover. They are nocturnal. Go out with a black light at night, they glow.

[Goin' Coastal]

Originally Posted by dober1

If you want to see scorpians during the day turn over some flat rocks or other ground cover. They are nocturnal. Go out with a black light at night, they glow.

GAH! I hope never to see another scorpion as long as I live. I can see a pest control contract in my future, down there.

[Gurbie]

Originally Posted by Goin' Coastal

GAH! I hope never to see another scorpion as long as I live. I can see a pest control contract in my future, down there.

LOL... I think you're a little arachnophobic!

If you move to Temecula, you won't be shaking scorpions out of your boots every morning- you're not on safari!!!

It is a beautiful area, with California flora and fauna in abundance. Be respectful of the critters and their habitats, and you'll get along fine.