how are the snakes and scorpions in phoenix ???

Hi again, Thinking of moving to phoenix, how are the snakes and the scorpions?? i am really worried about them, and also for my 2 great danes. Do you find them in your yard, gargage even the house??? please let me know, thanks for all your help susie

Hi Susie I have lived in Phoenix for 4 years now(via Omaha, Nebraska). I live out in Surprise (NW valley) we have farm land all around us and construction all the time. In my 4 years here I have NEVER seen a scorpion or snake. My husband works construction and he has been in remote areas of the desert and he has only encountered minor vermon. I do have a friend that has land out in the "middle of no where" and he has a few occurances a year with rattlelers and scorpions but nothing bad. From what I understand dogs are imune to scorpions (don't know if that is true). One thing to look out for is black widows. It all depends on where you live in the valley. My advice...get a good BUG GUY. One great thing is that there is NO BUGS!! You can sit out by your pool at night and never get bit or bugged!!! Prepare yourself for a HUGE change in landscaping. My husband is from Tennessee and he HATES the desert! Good Luck Diane

Hi Susie, I have lived in Phoenix are for 10 years and have encountered scorpions on several occasions. The thing is that if where you live is on a scorpion nest then you will have scorpions but if not the chance is slim. I would say that if you are planning on buying a house then I would have one of the many companies that specialize in scorpions come out the the prespective property and do an evaluation. This mush be done at night. That is when the little critters are active. In terms of snakes I have never seen one. Do not let our local celeberties keep you from the area for it is a wonderful place to live. Tanya -110

Hi Susie, I've lived in Lake Havasu City, AZ (along the Colorado River on the Western side of the state) for 17 years and in all that time I have seen a critter here or there but no rattlers. My husband saw a scorpian out in the shed once. We do have a GREAT bug guy and our house is sprayed every month. I agree that its the black widows you would be more likely to encounter - thats why I have the house sprayed. Not only are there no bugs buggin' you THERE ARE MILLIONS OF STARS! More than I've ever seen anywhere else - but you have to get out of Phoenix. Head for one of the nearby small towns - much better. Hope to see you when you get to Arizona. Becky

I have only lived in Arizona for two weeks, but I wouldn't worry about snakes or scorpians in Phoenix. Perhaps if you were out away from the city.

I have lived here since the first part of June and have not seen any of those critters. The only critters I have seen have been crickets. I love it here. SandyD

I live in the desert east of Phoenix in a new house on acreage. Yes, there are scorpions, and yes there are rattlesnakes. But there are great horned owls, coyotes, quail, bunnies, eagles, hawks, pack rats, bobcats, prairie dogs, and a host of other animals. Most of the time, the scorpions won't bother you unless you are walking outside barefoot at night,and happen to step on one. Snakes kind of do their own thing too. We have never had problems with them in the house. But when you think about it, there are predators in every state. Lisa W

I moved back here in 1979 (we lived here 1973-75) and have only seen one scorpion right after our first house was built. That is it. No snakes at all. I have never lived close to the true desert part of the valley though so would imagine that if you locate in an area that is in the more scenic areas you might be more apt to see them. People who live in an area where rattlesnakes are likely to be often have their dogs "snake proofed" by a professional who basically makes it mighty unpleasant for a dog that is curious about that snake and thus it becomes very reluctant to investigate snakes from then on. Sandra

I've been out here almost 3 yrs now. (a WI transplant) I have YET to see a snake or scorpion here in El Mirage. Lizards, YES, but those little fellas eat crickets! (and I think they're cute as hell) If I ever DO see a scorpion, I know I'll have a heart attack. I HATE THEM. Ours is a fairly new subdivison, & when it was being built, and with so much ruckus being caused, by soil, dirt being moved, these types of critters head on out of town. Also, the soil was treated for bugs/insects. The worst thing out here....CRICKETS!! GOD, I hate them!! Again, get a good bug guy. I'll tell you, he comes, sprays and the next day, there are cricket bodies dead, EVERYWHERE!! We DO get a black widow now and then, but the bug guy zapped the one he saw, and she went belly up pretty fast. My husband, still seeing her on her web said "I'm going to kill her while I have a chance". I said "Honey, I think she's already dead", as her legs were UNDER her...but NOOOO, he doesn't listen to me and smacks it with a tote lid. That thing popped like a GRAPE....ALL OVER him!! EWWW!! (I was a VERY safe distance away, as I don't "DO" spiders) I too, have pets. I would def. recommend that you either call or visit a vet. Firstly, make sure you know where one is located, in the event of an emergency. You don't want to be trying to find one in the yellow pages @ the time of need. Also discuss with the what you should do if a bite occurs. Finding a vet close, was no less priority than making sure I knew where the closest hosptial was. Again, I really think you'll be fine, however! Enjoy the beautiful sunny, humidity-free days! I'd never move back to WI. ~Michelle

Hi Susie, I've been in Arizona for about 25 years and have never seen a scorpion. They are here though. Phoenix and surrounding communities have areas where scorpions live, but it's rather strange. You can have scorpions on your side of the street and your neighbors across the street will be completely scorpion free. I know a couple of people who live in scorpion areas and don't have problems as long as they keep the exterminator paid. Ask your realtor about this, they should know which neighborhoods have scorpions and which don't. I found an article on scorpions that might interest you. http://phoenix.about.com/cs/desert/a/scorpions01.htm The other thing you want to ask your realtor about is roof rats. There was a problem with them a couple of years ago, but I haven't heard about them for a while so it may be a non-problem. As for snakes, the only time I've seen them is when I've been hiking in the desert or mountains. My girlfriend did find a baby rattler in her garage, but she was in a new housing development in the desert and snake habitat was being wiped out. The fire department captured it and released it far out in the desert. I have dogs and they have never been bothered by creatures. I do get black widows from time to time, but don't spray because I have hummingbirds in my trees and don't want to harm them. The spiders leave me alone and I leave them alone. If you live in the city, I think you'll find that our denizens of the desert will leave you alone. Just work with your realtor and find a good exterminator. Connie