How bad are bugs and critters in the Palm Desert area? (Palm Springs: transplants, house)

[things and stuff]

I'm scoping out the Palm Desert area as a possible location to relocate to since I can now work remotely. I'm from the state of Washington but have lived a good while in Florida, Louisiana, and Washington DC. I've noticed a big difference in the amount of critters between some of these areas.

I'm very curious if any transplants had any observations on how the area compares for roaches, spiders, mosquitos, poisonous snakes, and scorpions? Are there noticeable populations of any of these?

[MamaRed]

I transplanted the opposite direction - Palm Springs to Washington. The mosquitoes this past summer, and spiders this fall were a noticeable difference. There are spiders in the desert, but not nearly the numbers you see up here. As more water (lakes, ponds, golf courses) gets transplanted to the desert, mosquitoes are becoming more of an issue, but I'm talking a random mosquito bite a few times a year. You won't get eaten alive. I lived in PS for almost 40 years saw maybe 3 scorpions, and never saw a poisonous snake out and about. I saw maybe a dozen random snakes over the years. By comparison, I saw at least one snake a day in my garden up here this past spring.

The biggest problem bug-wise in the desert is cockroaches. Many people have monthly exterminator services to keep them out of the house.

[things and stuff]

Originally Posted by MamaRed

The biggest problem bug-wise in the desert is cockroaches. Many people have monthly exterminator services to keep them out of the house.

Cockroaches are my BIGGEST concern. ugh!! I hate them!!

There were less roaches in Seattle than there were in DC, Florida, or Louisiana so I was hoping that there would be even less in a desert. They seem to thrive in moist areas, but I guess the reality is that they thrive everywhere, especially where there's civilization to scavenge.

[katnip kid]

By roaches, do you mean the huge waterbugs or the smaller kind?

[things and stuff]

Originally Posted by katnip kid

By roaches, do you mean the huge waterbugs or the smaller kind?

both are bad, but the big ones freak me out the most. They call them palmetto bugs in Florida. In Louisiana we just call them roaches.

[Tiger108]

Cockroaches are creepy and do spread disease, but you should be able to limit them by keeping food well-contained, and there are worst creatures running around. Ants may be a problem, and not just the big kind as in "Them!"

[murfslaw]

The bigger concern is black widow spiders. They get in and around your pool equipment, up under your outdoor furniture and if have sunken diverter valves for pool/spa heater. I've always had a pest control guy.

[MamaRed]

Originally Posted by things and stuff

both are bad, but the big ones freak me out the most. They call them palmetto bugs in Florida. In Louisiana we just call them roaches.

There are both in the desert. The larger ones are less likely to come inside, but it happens. Black widows are very common and tend to stay in dark, quiet places. Desert kids are raised with the "fact" that black widows will jump on you, bite you, and you will die. No true, but it's very effective in keeping little ones (and others) from getting too close.

We moved into a house with a bug problem. The exterminator sprayed inside and out for a few months. Once they were under control, we only had him do the outside.

[Lola The yorkie]

Originally Posted by things and stuff

I'm scoping out the Palm Desert area as a possible location to relocate to since I can now work remotely. I'm from the state of Washington but have lived a good while in Florida, Louisiana, and Washington DC. I've noticed a big difference in the amount of critters between some of these areas.

I'm very curious if any transplants had any observations on how the area compares for roaches, spiders, mosquitos, poisonous snakes, and scorpions? Are there noticeable populations of any of these?

Sorta depends if you are planning on living here year round..or not in the very hot months ..say June 15 to Sept 15 (which is what we do)...

Returning from 4 months of desert heat and be prepared to find LOTS of dead cockroaches and crickets inside your place...even desert rats inside toilets seeking water..We turn off all the inside water which helped with the rat that nearly scared me to death once..

As for crickets and cockroaches we use those "sticky traps" for both..they seem to ignore the baited ones that they have to crawl into the holes..but seem dumb enuf to get stuck to the stickies..eventually of coure they will die...we put them all over..bathrooms,, closets..kitchens under the cabinets..laundry..even in the garage (just make sure your pets are not able to get to them)

We have never had monthly bug service..once we return in the fall we do not have a problem

Snakes..yes..around pool equip and a/c units..never looked close enuf to see if they might be poisonous..all snakes creep me out

Mosquitos not a problem ..tho in the evenings in fall and spring we can get these pesky tiny flies that buzz your head in the dusk..

hope that helps..

ps if you are living here all year..be prepared for outrageous power bills for a/c

[things and stuff]

How about big centipedes?