Snakes (and other creepy things) in NWA (Fayetteville, Fisher: homes, landscaping)

[briggsbee16]

Hey All;

I have been continuing my research of NWA to re-locate. How likely will I come across a snake or poisonous spider in the Fayetteville area? I know to use common sense when in the woods, etc. but what about say in your yard or garage? This could be a deal breaker. I do not want to share my domain with anything creepy or that can harm me. Please tell me I am being a little too paranoid. I need to know the facts.

Thanks, I think!

[Tyryztoll]

NW Arkansas has tarantulas. I'm not kidding.

They're not poisonous, but they are.....TARANTULAS!!

[jim9251]

I've seen water moccasins, and that's about it. In the woods ticks would be your biggest problem.

[Penguin_ie]

You are unlikely to see snakes in your home, or yard in an urban area, but you will see them on the walking trails.
You will see spiders such as brown recluse occasionally, including inside the home.

[OurGreatEscape]

The past year has been a "wild" year where I live near downtown Fayetteville. Perhaps I saw more because I no longer have an outside cat who took care of things for me

Brown recluse spiders are a regular occurrence in NWA. They are named recluse for a reason. Just know that they are there. Don't leave clothes, bedding, etc. on the floor. If you do, shake it out. BR love to hang out where there's not a lot of activity--attics, garages, unused rooms, sink cabinets.

Snakes we've had a few. Typically just the ol' garden snake.

Field mice--had one decide to take up resident in an outside storage shed this past summer. Not cool!

Black widow spiders--Last summer I found several under my outdoor furniture. In 25 years, this was the first time I remember seeing more than one. Again, the lack of an outdoor cat and the fact we had new landscaping put in could have contributed to the BW population.

Other wildlife sightings--numerous deer (and deer ticks!) and a coyote.

All could be blamed on global warming

I certainly wouldn't let any of these be a deal breaker. A good pest control company can handle most any of these.

[briggsbee16]

Thank you OurGreatEscape. I feel somewhat better. Maybe the spider thing could work to my advantage in helping my husband to pick up his clothes! I did some reading on the BR spider, and you are right. They avoid people and tend to hang out where they will be undisturbed. Maybe I can come to an agreement that they leave me alone if I leave them alone. (just kidding cuz I would most certainly step on one if the opportunity presented itself).

I am very afraid of snakes and would freak out in the worst way if I came across one. Even a garden snake. NOT A FAN. But if the rattlers and other not nice guys are not usually in urban areas, then maybe I can still consider the area to re-locate. I know there are snakes everywhere, but I do not want to be on alert every time I step outside.

[itlltickleurinnerds]

Brown Recluse, Black widows are very deadly and are in Arkansas Copper heads are all over. I once walked out side and found 6 baby's in my flower bed. I killed all six and set glue traps for the mother. I would see the skins all over. There are a few things in Arkansas that could kill you.

[nmnita]

People talk about the poisonous spiders in AR, I have seen a lot more in NM and Texas, as welll as VA and black widows in So Ca. You can't get away from them I don't think. Tranulas are here, but we never see them. In Ca thay are so big you can spot them crossing the street. After 5 years of living in NWA I still haven't seen a bad spider and I want to keep it that way. This goes for snakes as well. We live in a pretty rural setting, trees on both sides, no homes acrss the street and we still rarely see snakes. One was in the garden a couple of years ago, it moved so fast I have no idea what kind in was. We have seen a couple baby snakes, and yes, one was a copper head, but they have been about 2 inches long and dead. I do realize, where there is a baby there was a mommy and daddy. We had rattle snakes in the hills where we lived in So Ca and that was not nearly as rural as here.

[launch_code]

We get the same types of bugs and snakes up here in southern IL. ARGH!!! I hate them!!!

[pams73]

Originally Posted by itlltickleurinnerds

Brown Recluse, Black widows are very deadly and are in Arkansas Copper heads are all over. I once walked out side and found 6 baby's in my flower bed. I killed all six and set glue traps for the mother. I would see the skins all over. There are a few things in Arkansas that could kill you.

Actually, in a healthy adult, none of the animals you mentioned are deadly. Brown recluse bites cause necrosis of the skin, which is rarely fatal with prompt medical care (you're only going to die if you just let the skin rot and get an infection). Black widow bites can be slightly more problematic, as the venom attacks the central nervous system, but again are rarely fatal with prompt medical help. Copperheads are venomous, but I can't remember the last time I heard of someone dying from a bite. They don't even inject venom every time they bite. In case anyone wonders if I know what I'm talking about, I'm an RN with a second degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science.

There are "venomous" creatures everywhere in the US. I've lived all over the US, and while I may have seen many of these creatures, I have never been bitten by anything worse than a tick or mosquito (which carry worse diseases than some of the venomous creatures could ever dream of).