[mjay11]

That's crazy. I've lived in Vegas my entire life (since '76), and I first started hearing about scorpions when a couple of my girlfriends rented an apartment (after high school graduation). I never had a chance to see what they had and I have never actually seen one in any places that I've lived....knock on wood. But, I hear about it quite often. Shoot, I probably just jinxed myself...huh? But, I will tell you this, a friend of mine who moved here from the midwest had an encounter with a brown recluse, not pretty. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but keep an eye out!

[olecapt]

Uhhh Don't tell your girl friends but the brown recluse here is only virtual. It is the diagnosis used by ER people when they don't know what bit you.

There are no brown recluses in this part of the country.

[mjay11]

Is that right? Well then I'd better tell them. Guess they are just trying to evoke sympathy out of me but, I will be wiser this time! thank you sensei.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by baitfish

eeks, these things just creep me out. What about little doggies, is this a fatal type thing if they get stung. I saw earlier posts that mentioned there tends to be hot spots.
As we're reseaching the areas we want to relocate to , so far Summerlin or NW, Does anyone know if a person could contact the local pest services and see if any cases have been reported in a specific neighborhood

I saw a scorpion in 1991 and another one about four years ago. Both had been viciously murdered by our killer Lhasa Apsos. Prior to that I saw two or three back in the 60's. I'd sure like to know where you people are seeing these things so I can avoid that part of town. I wouldn't craw under a house (if that were possible in Las Vegas other than in Wilbur Clark Estates), or stick my hand in a bush without gloves, but that's due to black widow spiders.

[kimba01]

I mean, really, how bad are the black widows? I would research them but I don't want to see pics. As it is, I have to close my eyes on this thread so I don't accidentally view the pics here. If they bite you, do you have to go in to be treated? What about to animals. (I wish my Lhasa would be a killer of creepy things, but I think he is a big wuss too!)

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by kimba01

I mean, really, how bad are the black widows? I would research them but I don't want to see pics. As it is, I have to close my eyes on this thread so I don't accidentally view the pics here. If they bite you, do you have to go in to be treated? What about to animals. (I wish my Lhasa would be a killer of creepy things, but I think he is a big wuss too!)

There are a lot of black widows that you see at night while out walking. They are very shy and seem to avoid light, usually staying in hiding during the day in cracks in block walls, and in certain bushes. I've found them in the garage but usually only in a dark corner near the door. They will try to get away from you if they see you first. People seem to think that wild things are going to chase them down to bite them, but most creatures want to avoid being killed themselves so avoid people. At night black widows string a messy web out about a foot or two from our many block walls to the sidewalk, so it's best to walk near the curb and rein in the dogs as they don't pay attention to them. Since moving from Lone Mountain & Decatur to near Durango I haven't seen one in five years. I think olecapt said something about their territory once. Maybe it's an altitude thing. It does seem the further east you go in the Valley the more you see. But (knock on wood) I've never been bitten that I know of but you might not know it as people get spider bites all the time and never see the spider that did it. They might not even relate that little itchy spot on their arm to a spider bite as you don't feel it at the time. It's really not a bite but an injection with a very thin needle. Highly unlikely a spider or scorpion would kill anyone. Only worry about it if you know you are very allergic to black widow venom. Otherwise, just use a little common sense and don't worry about them. I'm sure you've had lots of spider bites that didn't kill you, and you probably should consider yourself lucky if you ever have the opportunity to actually see a scorpion. Your chances of being bitten are Slim and None and Slim is out of town. And remember that most spiders won't harm you at all and not all black spiders are black widows. Black widows are unmistakable. They look like black jelly beans or patent leather and they have the unmistakable red hour glass on their belly.

[kimba01]

Good info! Thanks!

[dynimagelv]

assuming you want to turn one over to rub it's belly....

I still maintain that I can outrun a Black widow OR a Scorpion

[BUGBULLY]

Originally Posted by dynimagelv

assuming you want to turn one over to rub it's belly....

I still maintain that I can outrun a Black widow OR a Scorpion

I was thinking the same thing. Most people do not get close enough to look at their bellies!!!

[dynimagelv]

if it's BLACK and isn't with it's husband.....I ain't checkin.