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quote:Throw another one out Tarantula's I hate them but there is nothing to fear from them. The only problem is if they do bite you it could get infected from the rotting flesh they eat.
Actually not. Infection is not at all a common problem with tarantula bites. They don't eat rotting flesh, they eat insects and other invertebrates they kill themselves, along with the occasional odd thing like juvenile rodents. They are extremely near sighted and sense moving prey but not dead stuff. They react defensively to large shadows like hikers approaching. The ones you see wandering the desert in summer are males looking for females. They will die by late autumn, so time is of the essense.
Millipeds do not bite, they eat decaying vegetation and some eat fresh vegetation and fruit, particularly in the tropics. Some centipedes do bite. Millipedes have two pair of legs per body segment and centipedes have only one pair. Large members of the genus Scolopendra are reported to have extremely painful bites.
Brown recluse do indeed get transported. They are secretive and end up packed in boxes, but they are very unlikely to show up in camp grounds and parks, much more likely in cities especially in apartments were there is a lot of turnover.
Thanks for all the replies fellas. They are most appreciated.
I have a small 1st aide kit that I carry in my backpack when hiking, along with an extra epipen, flashlight, spare batteries, water, and some other random stuff. I will look into those UV flashlights that a few of you mentioned.
I think the trip is going to be a lot of fun and like many of you mentioned, I'm not highly concerned I'm going to encounter these creatures, but I'm always trying to be as alert as possible. We have never been to most of these areas, so I don't see us venturing off the higher traveled trails and areas. We will probably leave that for future trips for the areas we find we want to return and explore further. [:)]
In the areas you plan to visit I think you will have more chance of an encounter with vermin of the two legged variety than any of the other critters you mentioned.
If, by chance, you do happen across a rattlesnake remember that they only have the ability to strike about 1/2 their body length at best. A 3' rattler can only strike about 18". Best bet is to simply give 'em a wide berth.
I would worry about democrats, druggies and gangs. PS 1 Don't leave children unattended in public rest rooms. 2 That park grass you may be tempted to sit on may be watered with recycled water (toilet).
quote:Originally posted by chollagardens
I would worry about democrats, druggies and gangs. PS 1 Don't leave children unattended in public rest rooms. 2 That park grass you may be tempted to sit on may be watered with recycled water (toilet).
quote:Originally posted by NeoBlackdog
In the areas you plan to visit I think you will have more chance of an encounter with vermin of the two legged variety than any of the other critters you mentioned.
If, by chance, you do happen across a rattlesnake remember that they only have the ability to strike about 1/2 their body length at best. A 3' rattler can only strike about 18". Best bet is to simply give 'em a wide berth.
[:D]
And you should not have to be told type of repellent or preventative is for those types.
quote:Originally posted by Okie743
quote:Originally posted by NeoBlackdog
In the areas you plan to visit I think you will have more chance of an encounter with vermin of the two legged variety than any of the other critters you mentioned.
If, by chance, you do happen across a rattlesnake remember that they only have the ability to strike about 1/2 their body length at best. A 3' rattler can only strike about 18". Best bet is to simply give 'em a wide berth.
[:D]
And you should not have to be told the type of repellent or preventative to throw at those types.
quote:Originally posted by rambo rebel
good thing you aren't coming to SC. the black widow problem is so bad here most of us have anti-venom shots in the fridge. and the copperheads? I won't go out w/o the knee high snake boots on. been bit so much I built up an immunity.
Lived in Calif about 40 years never came close to getting hit by a snake. Visit North Carolina and almost get taken down by a Water Moccasin on Camp Lejuene. Lucky my head is on a swivel.
quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
I grew up outdoors in the high deserts of Wyoming...
As others have noted, you won't see any Brown Recluse or Black Widow spiders...that is unless you plan on crawling around in people's crawl spaces or septic systems while on vacation. (Hey, some people's vacation ideas are "different" to say the least).
Rattlers are a dime a dozen around here, but I don't really worry about them. One did get Shelby the Lab a while back. Dogs are a lot more likely to get bit than humans, but it does happen. They make a vaccine for dogs now...and I can tell you from experience, they work GREAT!!!
Now scorpions are something I know very well. As kids, we used to catch them all the time. First of all, a scorpion sting won't really do more than just sting (a lot) unless you're allergic to them. I doubt you'll even see one though. I can tell you how to catch one if you want! If you're in a dessert area just grab a small sheet of plywood and toss it on the ground. Get the plywood "on" the ground (not propped up on a bush or weeds...flat on the ground). Flip the plywood over the next day and every scorpion within 100 yards will be under that plywood! Never understood why they love plywood like they do, but it works every time.
The one that got me was no worse than a mild bee sting.
One more thing, I don't know if it has been mentioned but don't take any shortcuts or otherwise rely on your in car GPS for anything other than main highways! Those things will take you on roads and trails best left to ATVs, 4x4s and horses.
quote:Originally posted by grumpygy
quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
I grew up outdoors in the high deserts of Wyoming...
As others have noted, you won't see any Brown Recluse or Black Widow spiders...that is unless you plan on crawling around in people's crawl spaces or septic systems while on vacation. (Hey, some people's vacation ideas are "different" to say the least).
Rattlers are a dime a dozen around here, but I don't really worry about them. One did get Shelby the Lab a while back. Dogs are a lot more likely to get bit than humans, but it does happen. They make a vaccine for dogs now...and I can tell you from experience, they work GREAT!!!
Now scorpions are something I know very well. As kids, we used to catch them all the time. First of all, a scorpion sting won't really do more than just sting (a lot) unless you're allergic to them. I doubt you'll even see one though. I can tell you how to catch one if you want! If you're in a dessert area just grab a small sheet of plywood and toss it on the ground. Get the plywood "on" the ground (not propped up on a bush or weeds...flat on the ground). Flip the plywood over the next day and every scorpion within 100 yards will be under that plywood! Never understood why they love plywood like they do, but it works every time.
The one that got me was no worse than a mild bee sting.
That is a good description of the sting.
Had a big old scorpin get me three times in about 3 seconds after I had buttoned up and zipped up my Levi's one morning few years ago. Fastest I ever removed a pair of levi's. He was on the upper leg and I sure was thankful he was not in the front crotch area around the vitals.[;)]
Still to this day I do not leave my clothes laying on the floor due to such.
Scorpins don't like to climb up on furniture (but will sometimes) but will easily crawl into a shoe if it laying sideways or into clothes laying on the floor.
If the solution to these critters doesn't involve a gun, then I have lost all faith in this forum.
Some will die in hot pursuit
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
quote:Originally posted by Big Sky Redneck
quote:Originally posted by jerrywh818
Watch out for these. They are anti social.
How many shells does my shotgun hold? That's how many I'm hitting it with!
2? What do I win?
Some will die in hot pursuit
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
Comments
Actually not. Infection is not at all a common problem with tarantula bites. They don't eat rotting flesh, they eat insects and other invertebrates they kill themselves, along with the occasional odd thing like juvenile rodents. They are extremely near sighted and sense moving prey but not dead stuff. They react defensively to large shadows like hikers approaching. The ones you see wandering the desert in summer are males looking for females. They will die by late autumn, so time is of the essense.
Millipeds do not bite, they eat decaying vegetation and some eat fresh vegetation and fruit, particularly in the tropics. Some centipedes do bite. Millipedes have two pair of legs per body segment and centipedes have only one pair. Large members of the genus Scolopendra are reported to have extremely painful bites.
Brown recluse do indeed get transported. They are secretive and end up packed in boxes, but they are very unlikely to show up in camp grounds and parks, much more likely in cities especially in apartments were there is a lot of turnover.
Awareness
common sense
instinct
Have a wonderful time!!!
I have a small 1st aide kit that I carry in my backpack when hiking, along with an extra epipen, flashlight, spare batteries, water, and some other random stuff. I will look into those UV flashlights that a few of you mentioned.
I think the trip is going to be a lot of fun and like many of you mentioned, I'm not highly concerned I'm going to encounter these creatures, but I'm always trying to be as alert as possible. We have never been to most of these areas, so I don't see us venturing off the higher traveled trails and areas. We will probably leave that for future trips for the areas we find we want to return and explore further. [:)]
Jon
Thugs and creeps are more likely to sting/bite you vs insects/snakes now days.[;)]
If, by chance, you do happen across a rattlesnake remember that they only have the ability to strike about 1/2 their body length at best. A 3' rattler can only strike about 18". Best bet is to simply give 'em a wide berth.
I would worry about democrats, druggies and gangs. PS 1 Don't leave children unattended in public rest rooms. 2 That park grass you may be tempted to sit on may be watered with recycled water (toilet).
[:D]
In the areas you plan to visit I think you will have more chance of an encounter with vermin of the two legged variety than any of the other critters you mentioned.
If, by chance, you do happen across a rattlesnake remember that they only have the ability to strike about 1/2 their body length at best. A 3' rattler can only strike about 18". Best bet is to simply give 'em a wide berth.
[:D]
And you should not have to be told type of repellent or preventative is for those types.
quote:Originally posted by NeoBlackdog
In the areas you plan to visit I think you will have more chance of an encounter with vermin of the two legged variety than any of the other critters you mentioned.
If, by chance, you do happen across a rattlesnake remember that they only have the ability to strike about 1/2 their body length at best. A 3' rattler can only strike about 18". Best bet is to simply give 'em a wide berth.
[:D]
And you should not have to be told the type of repellent or preventative to throw at those types.
good thing you aren't coming to SC. the black widow problem is so bad here most of us have anti-venom shots in the fridge. and the copperheads? I won't go out w/o the knee high snake boots on. been bit so much I built up an immunity.
Lived in Calif about 40 years never came close to getting hit by a snake. Visit North Carolina and almost get taken down by a Water Moccasin on Camp Lejuene. Lucky my head is on a swivel.
I grew up outdoors in the high deserts of Wyoming...
As others have noted, you won't see any Brown Recluse or Black Widow spiders...that is unless you plan on crawling around in people's crawl spaces or septic systems while on vacation. (Hey, some people's vacation ideas are "different" to say the least).
Rattlers are a dime a dozen around here, but I don't really worry about them. One did get Shelby the Lab a while back. Dogs are a lot more likely to get bit than humans, but it does happen. They make a vaccine for dogs now...and I can tell you from experience, they work GREAT!!!
Now scorpions are something I know very well. As kids, we used to catch them all the time. First of all, a scorpion sting won't really do more than just sting (a lot) unless you're allergic to them. I doubt you'll even see one though. I can tell you how to catch one if you want! If you're in a dessert area just grab a small sheet of plywood and toss it on the ground. Get the plywood "on" the ground (not propped up on a bush or weeds...flat on the ground). Flip the plywood over the next day and every scorpion within 100 yards will be under that plywood! Never understood why they love plywood like they do, but it works every time.
The one that got me was no worse than a mild bee sting.
Having one of these will help when encountering creepy crawlies [:D]
Yep, that will do it.
Wear it as open carry on vacation. (or try concealed carry with part of it hanging out)[;)]
quote:Originally posted by Big Sky Redneck
Having one of these will help when encountering creepy crawlies [:D]
Yep, that will do it.
Wear it as open carry on vacation. (or try concealed carry with part of it hanging out)[;)][:D]
quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
I grew up outdoors in the high deserts of Wyoming...
As others have noted, you won't see any Brown Recluse or Black Widow spiders...that is unless you plan on crawling around in people's crawl spaces or septic systems while on vacation. (Hey, some people's vacation ideas are "different" to say the least).
Rattlers are a dime a dozen around here, but I don't really worry about them. One did get Shelby the Lab a while back. Dogs are a lot more likely to get bit than humans, but it does happen. They make a vaccine for dogs now...and I can tell you from experience, they work GREAT!!!
Now scorpions are something I know very well. As kids, we used to catch them all the time. First of all, a scorpion sting won't really do more than just sting (a lot) unless you're allergic to them. I doubt you'll even see one though. I can tell you how to catch one if you want! If you're in a dessert area just grab a small sheet of plywood and toss it on the ground. Get the plywood "on" the ground (not propped up on a bush or weeds...flat on the ground). Flip the plywood over the next day and every scorpion within 100 yards will be under that plywood! Never understood why they love plywood like they do, but it works every time.
The one that got me was no worse than a mild bee sting.
That is a good description of the sting.
Had a big old scorpin get me three times in about 3 seconds after I had buttoned up and zipped up my Levi's one morning few years ago. Fastest I ever removed a pair of levi's. He was on the upper leg and I sure was thankful he was not in the front crotch area around the vitals.[;)]
Still to this day I do not leave my clothes laying on the floor due to such.
Scorpins don't like to climb up on furniture (but will sometimes) but will easily crawl into a shoe if it laying sideways or into clothes laying on the floor.
Watch out for these. They are anti social.
How many shells does my shotgun hold? That's how many I'm hitting it with!
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
quote:Originally posted by jerrywh818
Watch out for these. They are anti social.
How many shells does my shotgun hold? That's how many I'm hitting it with!
2? What do I win?
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain