Thinking of moving go Phoenix from Indianapolis. Is there a lot of bugs in the Phoenix area? (house, neighborhood)

[Kaylarannae]

Bugs really creep me out but my mind is amost made up about making this move. But I've heard terrible stories about snakes, spiders and scorpions. Can some Arizona locals please tell me about how you deal with the bugs and such?

Thank you

[brian571]

I've been out here for 6 months. I saw a rattlesnake my first week, but nothing since then. I don't have scorpion issues where I am, but I hear it's a block to block situation in many areas. Some people have no issues with them at all and some have to deal with them quite a bit. I know you can purchase spray for the entry points on your home that will kill them almost on contact. That's what I'm planning on doing and only as a safeguard because I have a small child. I haven't had any spider issues either. There are more bugs than I thought there would be, but they're mostly flies just like you have in Indiana. Almost no mosquitos, except for a few weeks at the end of monsoon season last year because it was so wet. Bottom line, don't let these things keep you from doing what you want to do. Good luck!

[abgal]

ditto - research particular areas and ensure you maintain a pest control program either yourself or through a contractor. i hate spiders esp. and the brown recluse is just a watch out for .... folded laundry etc. just be aware and careful and you'll be fine. i am a snowbird who bought there 5 yrs ago, have never seen a snake or brown recluse. only found dead scorpions, little guys, in aftermath of spraying, but check ALL my shoes before I step into them and check a bed that hasn't been used in a while (am told dryer sheets placed in bed between mattress, linen drive recluses / scorpions, they hate the smell).

my tenants found black widow spiders IN the BBQ area, this is very common as they set up nests in there, and this after a 3 month absence so they knew what to look for. again, just be aware, don't buy in a bad area, get to know your house and you'll be more relaxed. e.g. again my own quirk but i have dark floors so would not see a tan scorpion so i wear slippers in the house ALL the time.

finally, we had an influx of scorpions (all round dead) in our garage - they didn't make it into the house due to spraying - this occurred during a construction period in the next block, the insects all scattered when they were disrupted. again, this was temporary.

hope this helps, this is my summary after 5 years. love it there.

[Wally Sconce]

Originally Posted by Kaylarannae

Bugs really creep me out but my mind is amost made up about making this move. But I've heard terrible stories about snakes, spiders and scorpions. Can some Arizona locals please tell me about how you deal with the bugs and such?

Thank you

Wear shoes, stomp hard, run fast.

[ibarrio]

I have killed 1 scorpion in 8 years (I think it came in with a box of wood I got from someone else). I kill about 6 black widows per year (outside). They move in quick when the poison wears off. I have seen a few wolf spiders. Luckily I haven't seen a brown recluse

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by Kaylarannae

Bugs really creep me out but my mind is amost made up about making this move. But I've heard terrible stories about snakes, spiders and scorpions. Can some Arizona locals please tell me about how you deal with the bugs and such?

Thank you

I would suggest you come down here, visit the neighborhood youre looking to live in, and ask the neighbors for an honest answer if theyve had problems. Simple as that. Its hit-or-miss in Phoenix when it comes to scorpions. Where we are there are no scorpions, but a few blocks over a friend has pretty bad issues.

[ElleTea]

I find there are a LOT less bugs in Phoenix than the Midwest. Yes, there are scarier bugs like scorpions, but it is better than swarms of gnats and mosquitoes that are hard to escape in other parts of the country.

Though there do seem to be a LOT of flies here. But still, bugs in general are far fewer than where I used to live.

[HUNOOSH]

ugh....I probably shouldn't ask this because I am doing serious research and thinking about relocating to Phoenix. But I have a huge fear of insects etc. Are these scorpions you speak about poisonous? Deadly? And spiders? How can you people live with all these huge insects? Seems so scary. I'm in MA and I hate the bugs here. But they're mostly harmless. Just gross and annoying.

I think I better learn to spell before I move.

[observer53]

Oh, for heaven's sake. "All these huge insects"? Not all our scorpions are huge, and many of us have never, or rarely, even seen one. So, we live with them just fine, for the most part. Yes, some areas do have more scorpions, I've never lived in one of those. They are poisonous, but not deadly. Same with the spiders. But if you are THAT frightened of insects, best stay where you are, so the fear of the unknown doesn't add to your problems.

[Up2myeyeballz]

Moved here a month ago- I see a lot more insects than I ever expected. Haven't seen a scorpion yet. First it was the crane flies? Then tons of bees, just started getting flies. Granted these are outdoors. Inside I've had many of those come in because I keep the doors open often, my fault. spiders nothing creepier than I've seen in the Midwest though. Oh all kinds of weird bugs in the pool, wide variety. I was stung today by some teeny tiny bee/ant/fly thingy- never seen one before but it hurt for a bit. That's my honest truth, a lot more than I expected.... Thoigh I appreciate not having a ton of mosquito welts.

Had the house & yard professionally sprayed. They recommend bimonthly... I'm going with monthly to be extra safe! These services are very reasonable around here.