Creepy Crawlies

[niener]

Dangerous snakes or just your garden variety snake?

Most of the ones that wander into yards here are pretty harmless, but we do have rattlers and copperheads. They tend to stick to the woods and overgrown fields but since many of the suburbs here are heavily wooded they may wander into more populated areas without really realizing it. I don't know how often it happens in the desert but I wouldn't really call it a common occurrence here.

[Thirteen]

The flies are here.
I'll be hitting the local feed n seed store today: time to spray the yard, set up traps, and get out the ointment.
Picking up poo doesn't stave them off.

[oceanchild]

We have miller moths. Lots and lots of miller moths. They are harmless but gross.

[MsSassyBaskets]

Right now we just have moths, but I have Little Cat to take care of those for me. This morning she made a 10-foot leap off the bed to take down a moth, and she even cleans up after herself. I'm really dreading spider season this summer though... last year we had an infestation on our garage, and the funnel webs on the trees really creep me out. Apparently we can also get black widows in our area. Anybody know of any all-natural spider deterrents for inside the house? I don't like using chemicals inside... I've heard they don't like lavender, and last year I sprayed lavender essential oil in all the windowsills. I think it may have helped a bit. Any other brilliant ideas?

[houseelf]

I live in the Bed Bug capital of North America. This makes me have all sorts of OCD behavior.

[scrub-jay]

We have miller moths. Lots and lots of miller moths. They are harmless but gross.

Really really gross. UGH. At least the cat tries to keep them under control. *blech*

I thought I knew what "a lot" of bugs meant when we lived in Pennsylvania... Until we moved to Texas! Eek!! The fire ants are the worst.

The one creepy crawlie that I have yet to meet down here is a live scorpion, thank God! I've only ever seen one in the wild, and it was squished on the trail in a park. I can live with that. I do have friends who've battled severe scorpion infestations in their houses, though!

I haven't come across a rattlesnake yet, either. ::knocks on wood:: I have seen lots of non-poisonous snakes, but they don't bother me. We have a gorgeous Texas Patchnose who lives in our back yard.

[HouseofWool]

I thought I knew what "a lot" of bugs meant when we lived in Pennsylvania... Until we moved to Texas! Eek!! The fire ants are the worst.

The one creepy crawlie that I have yet to meet down here is a live scorpion, thank God! I've only ever seen one in the wild, and it was squished on the trail in a park. I can live with that. I do have friends who've battled severe scorpion infestations in their houses, though!

I haven't come across a rattlesnake yet, either. ::knocks on wood:: I have seen lots of non-poisonous snakes, but they don't bother me. We have a gorgeous Texas Patchnose who lives in our back yard.

Y'all have loads of bugs that this northern girl has never seen before. When walking around in the San Antonio Missions, my friend kept telling me, "look at this cool bug, but be careful because it is poisonous."

[Michele]

Peppermint supposedly wards off spiders. I have brown widows in my garage and the all natural pest control guy said they would dust for bugs (to decrease spider food), coat the corners in peppermint oil, and that I needed to sweep the garage weekly.

I also had a Carolina Wren nest on my back porch. They are super bug eaters. So encourage the predatory birds to hang around.


I bet Florida and Texas are close with regards to bugs.

[SuzySunshine]

We have ANTS in our new house. I HATE ants!!

Y'all have loads of bugs that this northern girl has never seen before. When walking around in the San Antonio Missions, my friend kept telling me, "look at this cool bug, but be careful because it is poisonous."

LOL! That sounds about right!

The first time I visited one of the SA Missions, I was amazed that there was a sign on the trail warning of fire ants. I pointed it out to DH and was like, "Ants? Who cares!" My tune changed really fast once I had a couple run-ins with the little devils! Ouch!!!

[HouseofWool]

I'd already experienced fire ants in SC, so I knew enough to start clear of them.

It was the giant fuzzy catapillars that surprised me.

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[lovelight]

Speaking of giant fuzzy caterpillars...I saw this guy a while back in FL. He was probably about 4 inches long!

[Cinderella]

Thanks for the peppermint oil tip regarding spiders management. I killed a spider crawling around in our bed this morning. Eeks!

[Thirteen]

After the dog ate 2 fly traps (so gross!), and the natural spray did nothing, I went with nuclear, terrible chemicals.

Day 1 - no flies anywhere. Dogs are at peace. Winning!


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