We use cookies to make your experience better. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Learn more.
Articles
Latin Name: Crotalus sp.
Common Name: Rattlesnakes
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
These are native snakes in North America with over 30 species and many more subspecies known.
Biology:
Rattlesnakes are by far the most abundant venomous snakes in North America, with many species that range from southwestern Canada to the east coast of the U.S. and south into South America. In the U.S. most species are western and Arizona is known to have at least 17 species and subspecies. They are found in a wide range of habitats and elevations, but each species may prefer a particular habitat. Rocky areas are particularly attractive to them as it also provides habitat for rodents and other small animals that they feed on, as well as harborage for the snakes. They may be found resting on top of large rocks during cool periods, sunning themselves to absorb warmth. The venom is contained in swollen sacs at the back of the
Latin Name: Agkistrodon piscivorus
Common Name: Water Moccasin
Other Names: Cottonmouth, Black moccasin, Gapper, and many other common names.
Pest Details
Origin:
This is a native species in the U.S. and ranges from Virginia to Florida, west to Texas, and north into Illinois and Indiana.
Biology:
This southeastern species is most likely to prey on fish and frogs in its habitat near aquatic sites, as it frequents habitats near ponds, swamps, and marshes. Following mating the female retains the fertilized eggs for 5 months and then gives birth to 5-9 young, but potentially up to 16 babies. The venom of this snake is considered very dangerous to humans. It is a hemolytic venom that destroys red blood cells and skin cells, causing internal bleeding, necrosis at the site of the bite, and reportedly extreme pain. It can be life threatening.
Identification:
Adults typically may be over 4 feet in length and nearly 6 feet in some
Latin Name: Lepisma saccharina
Common Name: Silverfish
Other Names: Firebrats
Pest Details
Origin:
Not known for certain, but it is believed their origin is a tropical country. They are found worldwide, and have been for so long that their origin is now unknown.
Biology:
These are primitive insects that undergo simple metamorphosis, molting as much as 50 times before reaching the adult stage. The development to the adult stage can be anywhere from a few months to as long as 3 years, depending on the conditions it is living in. They generally live for several years. They feed on a wide variety of materials, including human foods, paper products, fabrics, or glue in books and wallpaper. They are common outdoors in woodpiles or fences. The related firebrat is so named because it prefers a habitat of higher temperatures, preferably above 90 degrees, and they may be common in attics in the summer. These insects are
Latin Name: Centruroides sculpturatus
Common Name: Arizona bark scorpion
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
These are native scorpions that are found from southern California to New Mexico and south throughout northern Mexico in the Sonoran Desert.
Biology:
This scorpion is one of the most dangerous arthropods in North America. Its venom can cause severe pain and other health complications and will occasionally cause the death of a human. In Mexico, where it also is common, it stings around 100,000 people annually and has killed hundreds. As with other scorpions it is nocturnal and predatory, feeding primarily on crickets and roaches and other small insects. It is flattened and capable of squeezing through a gap of only 1/16 inch, allowing it to enter homes easily. It also is adept at climbing trees and may access entry points in this manner. Females retain their eggs with the young born within them, and as
Latin Name: Hadrurus arizonensis
Common Name: Arizona hairy scorpion
Other Names: Giant desert hairy scorpion, Giant hairy scorpion, Arizona Desert hairy scorpion
Pest Details
Origin:
This is a native species in the Sonora and Mojave Deserts, ranging from southern California to Arizona and into southern Nevada and Utah, then south throughout much of northwestern Mexico and the Baja. It is adapted to hot, dry conditions.
Biology:
Because of its size this scorpion readily preys on other scorpions, most insects, and even small lizards and snakes. This species prefers to create deep burrows to hide in, some as deep as 8 inches, and from these it emerges at night to hunt. Females retain their eggs with the young born within them, and as the first instar nymphs emerge they are guided up onto the back of their mother, where they remain for the first 3 weeks. From 25-35 young may be normal and the adult scorpions may live up to 6 years.
Latin Name: Vaejovis spinigerus
Common Name: Arizona striped tail scorpion
Other Names: Devil scorpion, Stripe-tail scorpion
Pest Details
Origin:
These are native scorpions. The family includes more than 84 species in the U.S. and they are distributed widely throughout the U.S. and western Canada, south through Central America.
Biology:
As with all scorpions the female retains the eggs that hatch within her and the young nymphs emerge and are herded up onto the back of the mother, where they then will remain for their first 2 to 3 weeks of life. They are nocturnal, foraging at night but remaining hidden during the daytime under objects on the soil as well as in shallow burrows. They are a very diverse group and found from desert habitats to high mountains. This species is one of the most common in the Southwest and is found in California east to New Mexico and south into Mexico. The sting is considered to be painful but not particularly
Latin Name: Hadrurus spadix
Common Name: Black hairy scorpion
Other Names: Northern desert hairy scorpion
Pest Details
Origin:
This is a native scorpion in the Southwest and can be found in the same regions as the related Giant hairy scorpion in California, Arizona, and New Mexico, but also ranges further north into Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Utah. It also is found in northwestern Mexico.
Biology:
Because of its size this scorpion readily preys on other scorpions, most insects, and even small lizards and snakes. This species prefers to create deep burrows to hide in, some as deep as 8 inches, and from these it emerges at night to hunt. Females retain their eggs with the young born within them, and as the first instar nymphs emerge they are guided up onto the back of their mother, where they remain for the first 3 weeks. From 25-35 young may be normal and the adult scorpions may live up to 6 years. The venom is considered to be
Latin Name: Paruroctonus silvestrii
Common Name: California common scorpion
Other Names: N/A
Pest Details
Origin:
These are native scorpions. The family includes more than 84 species in the U.S. and they are distributed widely throughout the U.S. and western Canada, south through Central America.
Biology:
As with all scorpions the female retains the eggs that hatch within her and the young nymphs emerge and are herded up onto the back of the mother, where they then will remain for their first 2 to 3 weeks of life. They are nocturnal, foraging at night but remaining hidden during the daytime under objects on the soil as well as in shallow burrows. They are a very diverse group and found from desert habitats to high mountains. This species is one of the most common in California and may be most common in the arid southern areas of the state. The sting is considered to be painful but not particularly dangerous.
Identification:
Latin Name: Centruroides gracilis
Common Name: Florida bark scorpion
Other Names: Slender brown scorpion, Brown bark scorpion
Pest Details
Origin:
This species is introduced from tropical areas of South America and now occurs widely throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and even into Africa. It is often kept as a “pet”, and this likely accounts for its spread throughout the world.
Biology:
While closely related to the very dangerous Arizona bark scorpion, the venom of this species is not considered to be nearly as potent. It is capable of inflicting a very painful sting, however. As with other scorpions it is nocturnal and predatory, feeding primarily on crickets and roaches and other small insects. It is flattened and capable of squeezing through a gap of only 1/16 inch, allowing it to enter homes easily. It also is adept at climbing trees and may access entry points in this manner. Females retain their eggs with the young
Latin Name: Vaejovis confusus
Common Name: Yellow ground scorpion
Other Names: Devil scorpion, Stripe-tail scorpion
Pest Details
Origin:
These are native scorpions. The family includes more than 84 species in the U.S. and they are distributed widely throughout the U.S. and western Canada, south through Central America.
Biology:
As with all scorpions the female retains the eggs that hatch within her and the young nymphs emerge and are herded up onto the back of the mother, where they then will remain for their first 2 to 3 weeks of life. They are nocturnal, foraging at night but remaining hidden during the daytime under objects on the soil as well as in shallow burrows. They are a very diverse group and found from desert habitats to high mountains. This species is one of the most common in the Southwest and is found in California east to New Mexico and south into Mexico. The sting is considered to be painful but not particularly dangerous.