Common House/yard Pests - Curious (Tucson, Oro Valley: neighborhood, scorpion, high school)

[sunshinecities]

I love Tucson but am wondering what types of yard/house pests - typically - might I find there and what maintenance costs/fees to get rid of them.. ..
I'm now in New England and it's mostly squirrels here where I live - nothing that's a big deal. But I've heard mice, scorpions, and roaches can be problems. Any info. is appreciated.

[runmitchell]

the roaches in summer are nasty... ive seen them up to about an inch and a 1/2. they like to sneak up through open drains. close the drains whenever you are done using them. ive seen 1 in the shower so far this year.. its nasty going to take a shower, look down.. and there is a 1 1/2 inch roach staring you in the face.

ive seen a coyote in my neighborhood (oro valley almost to catalina) on more than one occasion. some big spiders, id rather not know what they are than find out they are poisonous or something. i see mice running on the street, no where near the house here. scorpions are hit an miss... ive seen them in vegas.. so i know they are around. only at night though.

mainly roaches though.. and once you have them.. good luck getting rid of them.

[annaaz]

Overnight my front yard is full of what looks like small ant beds...but, I see no ants. What is causing this?

[.45acp]

Originally Posted by annaaz

Overnight my front yard is full of what looks like small ant beds...but, I see no ants. What is causing this?

Voles.

[.45acp]

Depending on locale... coyotes, javelina, mountain lion, wolves, weasels (various) rats/mice (various) ground squirrels (two flavors) Coati's... chipmunks... lizards (all kinds)... snakes (All kinds... rattlers the worst). From the sky... eagles hawks, falcons & owls. Most of which are large enuff to carry off little Foo-Foo for a snack (and do).

Bugs? You name it... we got 'em. We got bugs you never heard of. Tarantula Hawks forinstance. I call 'em BoB's (Big Ol' Bugs) They're all mostly big... they all bite. It's the Sonora Desert... I use Bill's Home Service. No bugs in the house. You have to remember to close the doors. Check your clothes. Wear boots. Encourage lizards and King snakes.

This is Arizona... even the plants bite. : )

[Marcy1210]

I live in Oro Valley, and I haven't had roaches, yet. (She says). I did have one scorpion last fall, and I think it squeezed in through the screen in the sliding door. Most insects that crawl can crawl through holes less than 1/16th of an inch, including cable holes if you have a satellite dish, torn screens if you have your windows open (or closed if they don't close tightly), drains in sinks and tubs, and through dryer vents, bathroom vents and under doors that don't have a weather stripping phlange. Scorpions are nocturnal and can climb trees and walls, and as the air cools in the fall and early winter, they come looking for warmth and water.

My son found several tarantulas in the field by the house, but none in or near the house. We also have bats at dusk in the summer, and snakes in the fields, but again not up near the house. We have coyotes, mountain lions, squirrels, rabbits, mice, and birds of prey.

I've been told you're more likely to get indoor visitors if you have an evaporative cooler and leave the windows open as the bugs easily come in through the windows. With central AC, you keep the windows closed. I use Raid Bug Barrier and spray around the foundation, windows (inside and out and in the tracks), sliding door, and front door. I also spray around the satellite cables coming in the house and the dryer and bath vents. I'll spray the patio, and respray after every rain. Also spray around the drip pans on planters to keep critters from wanting a "drink".

Tarantula hawks aren't interested in stinging people, but it's known to happen, and if you're the unlucky recipient, you'll be praying for death for about 5 minutes, it's so painful. If you wear boots while hiking or walking out in the desert or fields, you'll protect yourself from snake bites. Contrary to popular belief, not all rattlers rattle before striking. Evolution is breeding that trait out of them in favor of no rattle. No rattle, no warning, you're bitten.

I'm going back to Connecticut this month for my high school reunion. Haven't been there in 30 years, but I lived there from 6th grade to sophomore year in college. Should be interesting.