Bugs in the Southwest....how bad is it?

[misskitty100]

MIL & FIL just returned from a trip to Phoenix last week. MIL told me a story about some man that had to sell his house because the scorpions were so bad in his garage he couldn't enjoy his hobby of restoring old cars.

Could this really be true in a suburban neighborhood with access to somewhat decent pest control?

[Blissful_in_TX]

We used to have quite a few scorpions (they weren't very big...nothing to get terribly excited about). But we have pest control come every month, and as the area around us has developed where we are no longer right against the desert, there have been fewer and fewer. Gosh, I probably haven't seen one in a year!

[misskitty100]

Hmmm....I was hoping you would say that! I REALLY want to move south (we live in Seattle now). MIL knows that and of course, wouldn't want to see us go. She tends to find super dramatic stories whenever we bring up moving to a warm climate. The last time we went to L.A. she mentioned how when she was growing up in L.A. they had some sort of "killer" spiders in their yard:rolleyes:

[KristiB]

I live right outside Phoenix

My cat hunts and kills scorpions.

I haven't seen very many and I live in the straight up desert. Usually you only see them in the summer and they move so slow you have plenty of time to go to the closet to root for a shoe to squash them with. They glow in the dark under a blaklight too.

A good exterminator can help you prevent them. Basic rules are to not have bedding touch the floor(they'll crawn into bed with you) and not to store your shoes on the floor.

I think your MIL is being dramatic.

[Jazzmatazz49]

At least you can control the bugs, so it should be a pleasant change from the weather in Seattle. I say go for it!

[misskitty100]

At least you can control the bugs, so it should be a pleasant change from the weather in Seattle.

How true!:D

[HealthyinMN]

We lived in Phoenix for two years and I never did end up seeing a Scorpion or any large bugs for that matter. We did have a monthly pest service though!

[misskitty100]

Out of curiosity, what does a monthly pest service cost? Is it about $100 ?

[aggie94]

We have never had a scorpion at our house, although we do have black widows. Our pest service costs us $90/visit, and we normally treat quarterly.

BTW, there are definitely some areas that have serious scorpion infestations. My boss's previous house had a terrible scorpion problem. They did end up selling and moving, not solely for that reason, but it was a factor. They're particularly bad in neighborhoods with lots of established citrus trees.

[HARRYET]

I live in N. Phoenix and can honestly say that in 15 years have only had one scorpion in my house.

I also have my house sprayed every 6 weeks and they charge me $31.00 a visit. I only have them spray the outside but it costs me the same if they do just outside or both in and out.

Ann

[FruitsAlive]

The last time we went to L.A. she mentioned how when she was growing up in L.A. they had some sort of "killer" spiders in their yard

This cracks me up. I grew up in L.A. and the most dangerous creatures I encountered were two legged. :)

[Gecko]

It sounds a little like an exageration to me. Even now when I mention that I used to live in Guam people ask how we managed with all of those snakes. In 8 years I saw a grand total of 3 snakes - and two of those were dead. I am sure there might have been a few more around closer to the "boonies" but the reports are very far from the truth. Maybe this is the case with the scorpions too?

[testkitchen45]

We used to have quite a few scorpions (they weren't very big...nothing to get terribly excited about).

The only scorpion I won't get excited about is an imaginary one. :eek:

I detest anything with more than twice my number of legs. I live in an area reputed to have tons of big bugs, and it's true, but the only ones that really scare me are the wasps. My parents lived in a wooded area with a real scorpion problem in their home; Mom said it got really old not to go barefoot in her own home. But I imagine a regular outdoor pest-control service (I pay about $100/quarter), plus paying attention to hiding spaces in your landscape (such as where black widows might hide, etc.), would do a fine job of keeping the critters at bay.

[Cookin4Love]

I live just a few blocks from KristiB (and WHY haven't we gotten together yet????). We've seen 1 scorpion in 2 years here. We do not have our house sprayed. I suspect that living in the desert actually helps control the scorpions, with all the native wildlife. I've lived in Phoenix my entire life, and this is the first scorpion I've ever seen. As has been noted, however, there are areas that are notorious for scorpions, and most of them are in the city. I'm sure some government agency (Maricopa County Health Dept. probably) has the map; I've seen it published in the paper.

Our DD lives about 45 miles away to the west. One of her good friends has scorpions all over the place. They live in the palm tree next door, then climb her fence to drink from their pool. They purchased a hand-held black light, and the DH goes out at night with kitchen tongs, a big jar, and the light, and goes scorpion-hunting.

There are still way more people that scorpions here. I wouldn't let t be a deterrent.

[KristiB]

I live just a few blocks from KristiB (and WHY haven't we gotten together yet????).

I know!

I think about you when I drive by your development which is at least twice a day...

[VALERIEA234]

Yuk!! I Hate Bugs Of Any Kind, So I Guess That Is Why I Like Living In The Cold Country..where At Times It Gets Below 0 (lately However The Snow And Cold Has Been Else Where..
Val