Scorpions/Tarantulas

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by barretts08

Black widows? Maybe we should stick with a 15x15 bachyard enclosed with cinderblocks...

They love cinder blocks.

[bouncethelight]

Originally Posted by barretts08

Tons of rattlesnakes?

I've seen less than half-a-dozen rattlesnakes in my entire life, and as a kid we lived right on the edge of nature - and as an adult I've chosen several times to live in similar places - so I've seen a few rattlesnakes. But most residents of Southern California have never seen one, outside of the zoo. They don't live in heavily populated areas, and they're shy animals - so it's unlikely you'll ever see one.

Bottom line, if your lot is less than an acre, and you're surrounded by other houses, you probably won't have to deal with any of these creatures - other than black widows. And if you do run into a snake or tarantula, just steer clear, and let it get away. They don't want to tangle with you any more than you want to tangle with them. A healthy respect for the local wildlife is a good thing to teach your kids.

As for black widows, you'll encounter them - but if you keep your back yard free of wood piles and such, your kids should be safe. You're more likely to find a black widow in your garage, than in your front lawn or a flower bed.

[Fontucky]

I see a lot of rattlers, but both of my homes (Fontana & Murietta) are at the edge of the wildland interface boundary.

[bouncethelight]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

I see a lot of rattlers, but both of my homes (Fontana & Murietta) are at the edge of the wildland interface boundary.

Same kind of areas that I grew up in - edge of civilization - but I grew up in Northern San Diego County, and then as an adult I lived in a similar area in Temecula - so my experience is with areas a little south of yours - and that can make a big difference!

In Temecula I saw a fox, a jackrabbit, and mountain lions - all in the same year, and all in my own yard - and my neighbors saw rattlesnakes, but I never did.