I don't like spiders and snakes (Fort Mill: transplants, house, buy)

[justgayle]

Hello all, Can anyone give me the skinny on the bug situation there? I hear there's black widows and other big spiders and snakes. Is this a really a big problem, or just if you live in heavy woods and/or on the water? My sister said we'll just get a bug man every two weeks - would that do it? Thanks

[groove1]

Bugs are mainly roaches. You wont see too many snakes and if you do, majority will be rat or black snakes. Occasionally you will see a copperhead, a less venomous and less lethal version of a rattlesnake.

[Girl]

I should think if you live in the suburbs or a new subdivision you most likely won't see anything truly harmful.

In the year we've been in Fort Mill (specifically in Knightsbridge), we've only had garden spiders (non-venomous but larger than most spiders (about the size of a quarter)), skinks (a small lizard that used to live in the ivy before we ripped it out), and an assortment of harmless bugs (notoriously - the millipede, which drove me to distraction last fall before we had a quarterly bug spray plan in place - I don't know HOW ON EARTH the former owners tolerated those things).

We had ants the first week in the house but we think they came in with our stuff that had been in storage for a few months upon arrival to SC. Cleaned 'em up and we haven't had them since despite having dry cat food out in a bowl 24 hrs/7 days a week. We also haven't seen any roaches in or around our house, but did have a baby slug sneak in by the back door before we laid down a new rainseal along the bottom of the doorframe.

Speaking a bug/spider HATER, I've been reasonably impressed thus far. I just HOPE and PRAY that the millipedes don't invade our house again this year. I'm hoping that by getting rid of all the ivy along my house as well as getting rid of all the mulch and pine needles will alleviate their need to be in my house. We're laying down rubber mulch mixed with generous scoops of diatomaceous earth in a few weeks and I'm hoping that'll be the end of them!

[BKQC]

Originally Posted by justgayle

Hello all, Can anyone give me the skinny on the bug situation there? I hear there's black widows and other big spiders and snakes. Is this a really a big problem, or just if you live in heavy woods and/or on the water? My sister said we'll just get a bug man every two weeks - would that do it? Thanks

I"ve come across 4 smaller sized, non-poisonous snakes in our yard and some fairly large spiders. I believe it's because we have a wooded area to one side of our home and the back. From others I've talked to, who do not have wooded areas bordering their homes, snakes are not a problem. You'll probably see spiders no matter where you are.

[tlccherry]

In the fall the orb weavers come out (Charlotte's Web). Also brown recluses are around. But it really depends on where you are living. I recently stayed in the country and had a couple of large snakes 6 ft + in my backyard. I have pictures of them and my cat chasing them away. My brother in law runs a "critter gitter" business, and he is doing very well from urbanized transplants adjusting to the country.

[justgayle]

Hi, Thanks to everyone for their replies, I appreicate it. Brown recluses aren't they the ones that are huge and can kill you or something (this from my 14 yr old)? Guess I won't buy a house in the woods, but some trees on the lot would be great. Thanks again!

[groove1]

Originally Posted by justgayle

Hi, Thanks to everyone for their replies, I appreicate it. Brown recluses aren't they the ones that are huge and can kill you or something (this from my 14 yr old)? Guess I won't buy a house in the woods, but some trees on the lot would be great. Thanks again!

Brown recluses are very small. You may not realize they have bitten you for several years. They are usually not fatal.