snakes in metro dallas (Plano, Frisco: Home Depot, buy, scorpion)

[buckeye15]

hi all
been reading some stuff related to snakes around the dallas area
is it pretty common for snakes in backyards etc? is there any danger? Are they poisonous etc?

What about other "yucky" things like scorpions/fireants?

Never had any experiece with such in the midwest. I am trying to put my mind to ease in terms of moving to Dallas.

Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks

[bencronin04]

Scorpions won't really be an issue unless you live way out. I've never seen one in the city in my 20+ years here. Fire ants however are abundant. Just get a pest control service or pick up some fire ant control at Home Depot/Lowes. The only snakes I've seen in the city are Garter snakes. Useful to you garden and not poisonous. I've also never had one bite me and I used to catch them when I was a kid.

[bencronin04]

No if you move out of the city to more rural area, especially around water, all bets are off.

[buckeye15]

what cities would be more "rural"?
We're thinking Frisco/Plano area for now.

btw, are fire ants dangerous, or just an annoyance?
Thanks

[bencronin04]

Originally Posted by buckeye15

what cities would be more "rural"?
We're thinking Frisco/Plano area for now.

btw, are fire ants dangerous, or just an annoyance?
Thanks

You should be completely fine in those areas in regards to snakes or scorpions.

Fire ants can sting/bite like the dickens, but you'll know pretty quick when you've stepped on their home. I've probably have fire ant bites a total of 10 times in my whole life. It's a little less painful then say a bee sting. Nothing to really worry about, unless you have small children. And by small, I mean you'd be watching them in the back yard anyways, so nothing to really worry about.

[stephwin]

I'm in a Frisco FB group and there have been several snakes that have been found in people's garages or backyards the last month or so because of all the rain we've had. I haven't personally seen once in Frisco, but we had at least one a year in our backyard in Prosper growing up.

I haven't seen any scorpions in Frisco. Fire ants aren't really dangerous unless a small child, pet, or someone who is allergic gets bit. The ants can be all over you before you realize it.

The biggest "pests" you will probably come across will be rabbits. Seriously, they are everywhere.

[bencronin04]

Originally Posted by stephwin

I'm in a Frisco FB group and there have been several snakes that have been found in people's garages or backyards the last month or so because of all the rain we've had. I haven't personally seen once in Frisco, but we had at least one a year in our backyard in Prosper growing up.

I haven't seen any scorpions in Frisco. Fire ants aren't really dangerous unless a small child, pet, or someone who is allergic gets bit. The ants can be all over you before you realize it.

The biggest "pests" you will probably come across will be rabbits. Seriously, they are everywhere.

Don't forget the mosquito. Those are my biggest annoyance.

[buckeye15]

thanks stephwin.. are those snakes dangerous though?

[KnLBurks]

we can have copperheads and water moccasins in the country. I've only seen non-poisonous garden snakes in the city. I consider Frisco city these days. Regarding fire ants, they feel like you've been burned with an iron. Buy some Amdro to clear it up. Our dogs have had their faces swell pretty bad from them, but nothing a few benedryl won't cure. I will say I walk around less barefoot after encountering those pesky things -- it's like they wait until they all climb on board and then yell attack! Never seen a scorpion here. My husband grew up 2 hours west and still checks his shoes and gets on to me if I pick up a rock without gloves on.

[LFC74]

I had a water moccasin in my garage last week. Fortunately it was a juvenile but very unnerving all the same. We live on a tributary of white rock creek in west plano.