Are bugs that bad in Tucson, Arizona?

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:idea: Looking to relocate to Tucson from Jersey. Are the bugs that bad? Flying roaches inside? Any info appreciated! ;)
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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I haven't lived in Las Vegas for a couple of years and my best bug story is this:

It is common in Vegas for the washer and dryer to be located in a garage. So...trauma goes out early in the morning (trauma was in nursing school at the time) and opens the dryer to take out the clothes - voila - there is a scopion on top of the laundry in the dryer! Trauma holllers "yikes" and then wonders what to do (hubby is deployed). Hmmmm....well - trauma gets a broom and sweeps the clothes onto the floor and then separates them so the bug can crawl away. Trauma doesn't like bugs.

Good luck - it is warm there.

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Bugs aren't just bad in Tucson - Phoenix too! Lived in both places. Flying roaches is more a Florida thing, though. Our roaches tend to be "normal" German sewer roaches - the small brown ones, though I have seen a few large winged ones.

Here is what we do - pay the $30.00 per month for an exterminator to visit. It kills most of the indoors critters. So long as you can clean up dead bugs, you should be just fine! In fact, we almost never get a roach inside our house. Just be neat, clean, and pay for the exterminator. By the way, when we rented, our apartment complexes always offered exterminator service, up to once per week, for free. Use it because your neighbors probably won't.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

I'm thinking you read my 'vermin' thread. I have only seen one flying roach in Tucson in over 20 years. I think what determines your bug level is the area where you live. New construction and those in more outskirts areas will have more bugs. I know some who live in central Tucson and they have never, ever, seen a single spider or scorpion.

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Specializes in ICU, Oncology.

I can attest to that! I have lived in old neighborhoods in the Phoenix area for most of my life (except college) and have never ever seen a Scorpion. It's actually pretty sad that I was born here and have never seen a Scorpion in the "flesh." Spiders, though...seen those...yucko! But a good exterminator should solve most bug problems.

I'm thinking you read my 'vermin' thread. I have only seen one flying roach in Tucson in over 20 years. I think what determines your bug level is the area where you live. New construction and those in more outskirts areas will have more bugs. I know some who live in central Tucson and they have never, ever, seen a single spider or scorpion.
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Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.

Scorpions and Tarantulas, two reasons not to live in the Southwest part of the states.

I would probaby have a stroke if I saw either in my house. Both are too big to squash with your foot.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
Scorpions and Tarantulas, two reasons not to live in the Southwest part of the states.

I would probaby have a stroke if I saw either in my house. Both are too big to squash with your foot.

It really depends on your specific area. Like I said, I have friends who live in central Tucson who have never seen a scorpion or tarantula. I'm in an outlying area, next to a wash, and approaching national forest land. So I have all of nature's robust vermin.

Oh - about the scorpion killing technique. You can kill them with your foot. I have killed many by stepping on them. It's risky if you are wearing sandals because the stinger can reach up and puncture the side of your foot. I have killed many when wearing sneakers or other closed shoes just fine. It's amazing how tough they are though. Even though I'm 130 pounds, I have to really push hard and crunch that scorpion. Frankly I'm less afraid of scorpions since I was stung. Takes the mystery out of the hypothetical terror. It wasn't so bad.

Now tarantulas..I can't go there. They are everywhere near my house. If I found one inside...ugh. I can't go there.

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We get quite a few sewer roaches inside our house, but then we live in an older house, fixer upper at that. Dh usually finds out where they're getting in and plugs the holes (or screens vents). Outside I've seen many flying roaches. Actually, I call them roaches but I don't think that's what they are. They're just huge black flying bugs, beetles or june bugs maybe?

Never seen a scorpion at my house. However at my parents' house nearby, in a newer subdivision which is still undergoing construction phases, they get them on ocassion. They just hire an extermination company to do monthly sprays and usually that'll take care of any problems.

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Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.
It really depends on your specific area. Like I said, I have friends who live in central Tucson who have never seen a scorpion or tarantula. I'm in an outlying area, next to a wash, and approaching national forest land. So I have all of nature's robust vermin.

Oh - about the scorpion killing technique. You can kill them with your foot. I have killed many by stepping on them. It's risky if you are wearing sandals because the stinger can reach up and puncture the side of your foot. I have killed many when wearing sneakers or other closed shoes just fine. It's amazing how tough they are though. Even though I'm 130 pounds, I have to really push hard and crunch that scorpion. Frankly I'm less afraid of scorpions since I was stung. Takes the mystery out of the hypothetical terror. It wasn't so bad.

Now tarantulas..I can't go there. They are everywhere near my house. If I found one inside...ugh. I can't go there.

Oh gosh! I mean, I'm exaggerating somewhat, I've never been to that state so I have no idea of what you find where.

I was offered an excellent opportunity to transfer to Phoenix with my company that would have equaled a huge pay raise and a promotion..I never had the nerve to tell my employer that the bugs and the sun were the two reasons I couldn't bear the thought of living there. (I have extremely fair skin and live like a vampire...but hell, I look 10 years younger than I am)

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Specializes in Cardiac.
:idea: Looking to relocate to Tucson from Jersey. Are the bugs that bad? Flying roaches inside? Any info appreciated! ;)

I guess I won't tell you the story about the Palo Verde Beetle who flew into my open window of my car and caused me to swirve off the road then...

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Thanks for the information from everyone. Our family is excited about the opportunity to move. We LOVE the warm weather! Hoping the mosquit. are less in Arizona though because in the summer you get "eatin' alive" by skeeters' in Jersey, and green heads. :trout:

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Where are you coming from, in Jersey? My Mom lived in Morris Plains for some time. I was actually considering moving to Jersey in a few years.

And what the heck are green heads?!?

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