Let's be careful out there! 3 bites already in Tucson in early rattler season

[Ptah]

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/bites-already-in-tucson-in-early-rattler-season/article_c3d773e2-7844-11e1-be16-0019bb2963f4.html

Snake season is upon us — and the biting has begun.

“We’ve had reports of seven rattlesnake bites around the state already this year, and three
of those were in the Tucson area,” said Keith Boesen, director of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center.

None of the bites was fatal.

“We usually say the snakebite season is from April to October,” Boesen said. “This year —
especially with the temperatures being as nice as they are — we’re starting to see some bites” in March.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. I live in prime rattlesnake country

Its one of the main reasons I carry a gun on and off my property. They are starting to come out now and they are *everywhere*

[Johnny Rico]

2. Do you use CCI shotshells?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. I carry a mixed load in a revolver at home. I have snakes and cats for neighbors

When I leave on my bike, I go with a semi auto. I live out in the minor twigs. It could be hours if I go down before some would drive by. Between the snakes and the cats, it could be very unpleasant.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

7. What kind of effect do shotshells have on the barrel of your semi auto?

I've heard some wives tails that they are not so good for your gun.

The entrance to the Suguaro forest is about a 9 iron from my front door and I often go hiking there. Now I'm looking for a mountain bike to explore further. When I go, I usually bring my 1911 but it's a very expensive, match grade, custom gun and I wouldn't feed it anything but the best. Now that the snakes are coming out, I'm aware that a 45 would be pretty much useless against a snake but I have a Walther P99 in 9 mil that I'm not so fussy about and a mix of shot shells and hollow points sounds like a good idea. Any input?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

8. Feeding is always a issue in semi autos

As for wear etc, its not like you are going to be cycling 100s of rounds through it.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

10. True I guess. If I ever shoot one, it will probably be only once or twice,

not a few thousand rounds.

Good point!

[ProgressiveProfessor]

12. Additional thought...check the point of aim

Shot rounds tend not to go where ball would go. Pattern it at an appropriate range.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

14. Are you saying go out and shoot some first?

Sounds like a practical idea.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

18. Will do. There is a great range by the Desert museum where I can do that.

God I love having spell check back!

[Ptah]

3. If I lived where I think you do, I'd have a small caliber handgun.

When they come out they *all* come out!

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. Ever seen a Mojave Green?

Very pretty. They are not in my area but somewhat north. Very nasty bites...

[Ptah]

6. No, I haven't, unless it was in the Desert Museum.

Snakes trigger primal fear in me.

I stay in the city, in part, because of them.

[mvccd1000]

9. How do you broach this topic with someone not from here?

I've always lived in the city, but just closed on a house at the base of Superstition Mountain. I'm working out of town and my girlfriend will be coming out from Indiana next week to start getting the house ready. We have a little over an acre of property with native desert landscaping, so snakes are a definite possibility. I want to help educate her on watching where she steps, but I don't want to freak her out so she won't even go outside (or worse, change her mind about moving to AZ).

Any suggestions for bringing up the topic without scaring her off? She's already freaked out that there are scorpions in AZ... rattlesnakes in the yard might be more than she wants to deal with, unless I can convince her that she's unlikely to have a problem if she pays attention to where she walks.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

11. Start by getting her good boots, the military desert style are a good place to start

The desert is a harsh place to live and those critters that are out there tend to be pretty tough and bad ass as well. For example NEVER GO BAREFOOT in your house, just ask Emma Bombeck. Bugs can get through the smallest places and live undetected for some time. You be surprised where scorpions have turned up. Get some of those sticky 4 by 6 traps and see what you get in them. It will scare you and her. This is especially important if the house has been vacant for some time.

That said, the desert has a unique beauty as well. I would live no where else at this point.

[mvccd1000]

22. Thanks, PP

I was searching for a blacklight flashlight online and found the ScorpionMaster website; they have several kinds of sticky tape, sticky strips, and sticky pads that go on a remote grabber (as well as the blacklights). I think if we find out we're sharing the house with scorpions, I'll stock up on some of that stuff.

I've been lucky; I've never seen a single scorpion in my 15 years in AZ - the only one I ever found was in Iraq!

[ProgressiveProfessor]

24. Depending where you are, you may find some Solifugids

Sometimes called camel spiders or sun spiders. While not true spiders, they can scare the hell out of you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solifugae
http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/soli.htm
http://arachnophiliac.info/burrow/solifugids.htm
http://www.petbugs.com/caresheets/G-granti.html

http://tucsoncitizen.com/wryheat/2010/11/05/scorpions-vinegaroons-and-sun-spiders/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelyphonida

[OffWithTheirHeads]

13. First thing you do...Take her to the desert museaum.

Most poeople, like myself, come here, see arid land, figure nothing really lives here. The first time I came here, that's what I thought. Boy was I surprised at the extent of the echo system in the Sonora desert.

Next, Get her comfortable with the fact that she now lives in a world with a lot more interaction with the natural elements than she is used to.

When we got here from California, we had not experienced much in the way of wildlife beyond racoons. In the year we have been here we have seen scorpions, Turantulas, Coyotees, wildcats, The biggist jackrabbitts you have ever seen, and a whole host of birds and bugs. I find the whole experience facinating as does my wife.

I think the important point is to teach her that they are not your enemy, they are part of the process of life.

[mvccd1000]

23. Love the jackrabbits

I used to see them all the time when my house was new on the east end of Mesa. Not so much any more, but I've already had reports that there are plenty at the new place.

Good tip about the desert museum; I'll have to add that to our list. Thanks!

[Mosby]

15. Your problem is not snakes it's scorpions

[mvccd1000]

16. Scorpions seem to be hit or miss

Some of my friends have them regularly, others have never seen a single one, even checking with blacklights at night.

That is a good idea, though - I just ordered a blacklight LED flashlight for her to use when she checks out the new house at night.

I think she's wrapped her mind around the idea of scorpions, though... it's the snakes I don't want to freak her out with. (But I want her to realize she needs to watch out for them, too.)

I guess I'll just wait 'til she gets out there and have that conversation with her before she goes over to the new house the first day.

[Mosby]

17. Snakes in the Valley are really not a big deal

Just be careful in the late afternoon and evenings. Watch where you step especially around rocks and boulders. DON'T let your kids flip over large rocks on your property. Keep in mind the western diamondback doesn't want to be around you anymore than you want to, they are actually quite shy and only bite when threatened.

The problem with scorpions is they like to come inside, so if you find any inside your going to need to do a thorough walk-around your house to find entry points. Scorpions are usually found in areas near undeveloped desert and the mountain preserve. Keeping the area around your house clear of nesting spots (like piled up firewood) is a good way to limit the risk.

[mvccd1000]

19. Good advice - thanks.

I think I'm good on brush and other hiding places that the crickets like (which, in turn, causes the scorpions to like, as well).

I'm PROBABLY also good on snake habitats, too, as the previous owners had horses and most of the land was leveled and tramped down. Most of the rocks and natural vegetation are around the perimeter of the property.

I really don't think there's much to worry about; I'm mostly concerned with letting my girlfriend know there's not much to worry about, while at the same time alerting her to watch out for exactly the actions you mentioned (flipping rocks, stepping over logs, etc.).

[Kali]

20. most people sort of come by the awareness on thier own.

things like the newspaper article in the OP get published all the time - leave stuff like that lying around.

keep a good quality flashlight handy by any doors for going outside when it isn't fully light out

scorpions...some houses have them and others don't. if you are backed up to rocky hillsides or a wash, or brushy area you may be more prone to them. "they" say new homes in newly cleared areas are bad for them, but I live in 100+ year old house and we always have them in the summer. Usually at least a couple of us get stung once a year or maybe even more often. Not that big of a deal (although it is scary and startling when it happens at night in bed - pisses you off, I tell you!)

snakes are not as common though more dangerous, obviously
some places the fire dept, or local law enforcement will come take care of the problem (usually killing), some people keep a snake catcher stick and a 5 gallon bucket (with good lid) and relocate. I doubt if that is very effective - I hate when people advocate that for rodent pests, but it is an option. I kill them around the house and barn (gun, shovel, rocks). I also catch bull snakes and bring them to the same area in hopes of keeping rattlers out competed. Out in the pastures/range I don't kill them anymore (don't tell my ancestors or neighbors). My youngest was bitten when he was 18 months so I just don't tolerate them around the HQ at all. Cats are hard on bird life but they are the most immune to rattlesnake venom of the usual "pets" we keep. They can be a good warning system for them as they will hassle a snake till it coils up and buzzes then you can get rid of it.

[mvccd1000]

21. Good first-hand info; thanks!

My only concern about her absorbing the information on her own is that she's going out next week for her first trip to AZ during rattlesnake season, and I won't be there with her. I don't want her wandering around the new property without knowing that she needs to watch out, but I don't want to freak her out and have her not anxious to move to Arizona, either. I'm just trying to find the right balance in presentation of the info so she's aware but not overly worried.

I think asking her to read some of the replies here might do the trick.

Interesting point about the cats. I've had a stray living on my back patio for over two years, even though my house has been empty while I'm out of state for work. I've gotten rather attached to him on my trips home, so I'm hoping to move him to the new place. (He hunts and provides for himself; he just likes my patio, and - if I'm home - my bedroom.) I was worried about critters, but it sounds like if he's smart enough to avoid the coyotes, he should be ok.

Thanks, Kali!