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beguile

Jan 30, 2004, 5:13 PM

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Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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Aloha to one & all who happen onto this post.

One of the daily routines in Hawaii I learnded ONLY AFTER moving here was that there are really BIG centipedes ( TRUTH: 12 inchers are not an everyday thing but I`ve had `em in my 1st house which produced at least 2 a month and at time up to 10! My newer house,built/designed by the same team who built my 1st Hale, has had less than 5 since moving in ! not even a mile away!) on the drier /leeward areas of ALL the Islands, with smaller and more colorful species coming with a worse venom ..I`M TOLD!!, that live on the windward/wet sides. OK!

I`m thinking of these potentials areas to research for a possible move. Guadalajara/Chapala, SMdA, Cuernavaca,Oaxaca City, and maybe Moriella. There are a couple of other areas I`ll explore but unless these just don`t 'do it' I`ll hang my hat in one of them.

SO..bugs and snakes. I`m one of the UNLUCKY RARE FEW, at least in the area of TOXIN REACTION, that means what 99% find PAINFUL and swollen at worst & YET I might have much WORSE allergic reactions to the same incident. So I MUST KNOW before falling in love with a place just what`s up in this less than delitefull subject.

As with Ireland, Hawaii has NO snakes altho a nasty BROWN TREE SNAKE is trying to immigrate via airplanes and shipping cargo where these nasty things hide,as unwanted stow-aways! But I did live in Tucsn in the late 69`s & had more than ehuf encounters with them. Worse by far for me is the potential for a pit viper variety bite.

Can those of you who`ve amassed lots of REAL-LIFE FACTS EXPERIENCED by yourselves,about a subject rarely brought up in polite chats, and certainly not mentionned in the Travel/Tourist/Relocation experts FAQ`s share with me all you `ve learned via the school of hard knocks??!

I`d like to know what to be expect in these diverse areas. Dodn`t be bashful, fill these pages with your worldly experience derived info.

Also,just so no one say look at the other answers all over this site. I did! I read them. I know ALOT about the Scorpions around parts of Chapal and SMdA but little else. Nada re:Oaxaca! So please inform the bug-nutz/snake loathing guy about what YOU`ve seen and heard and how best to deal with them. As in PEST EXPERMINATORS like we use about evey 6-8weeks out here!

Muchas Gracias, or Mahalo nui loa as said here!

jennifer rose

Jan 30, 2004, 8:59 PM

Post #2 of 17 (6832 views)

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Re: [beguile] Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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We've killed centipedes, scorpions and a pig snake here in Morelia. As well as opposums.

The only vermin-free venue you're apt to find is Antarctica.

beguile

Jan 31, 2004, 8:47 AM

Post #3 of 17 (6804 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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I`d hoped I was clearer, or is it more clear. Whatever: I`m not saying that if a place has these tropical critters I`m moving on, I`d have left Hawaii after the 1st citing of a centipede which I have not. I`m simply wondering which of these uninvited intruders into MY Hale/Casa are around certain areas. Snakes for instance generally being more rural and less likely in a large city like Guadalajara. Or is it? Also here, once over 2500' of eleveation one sees very LITTLE of the worst and over 4000 ' nada!

I`m not sure of a PIG Snake,new one on me.

My former mainland neighbors live 1/2 the yr in Puerto Vallera and clearly love it. He loathed oppossums however and am now relieved to know that they will again be a daily factor of life. Instead of say squirrels or the possum, we have mongooses and they are rather odious little creatures which are so hated that it is ILLEGAL to in anyway provide for them. I have a couple that check out my backyard every day and are so bold & clever they know when & which ROOM I`ll be in, to look for me. Proving my habits have become predictable. So far they have NOT tried to enter my house.

All the questions are alluding to are which areas have what?

Thanx

gpk

Jan 31, 2004, 10:28 AM

Post #4 of 17 (6792 views)

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Re: [beguile] Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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Alacranes (different from escorpiones) are common and can even be deadly. I use a fumigator because I am allergic to bee stings and don't want to find out if I am allergic to alacranes.

Carol Schmidt

Jan 31, 2004, 11:27 AM

Post #5 of 17 (6785 views)

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Re: [beguile] Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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In nearly two years living in centro San Miguel, we've only seen bees and wasps, mainly wanting to share our Cokes in outdoor restarants and swarming around honey stands in outdoor markets. No snakes, scorpions, rats, or anything else.

We do feed and neuter any feral cats which show up in our courtyard (13 neutered at last count) and are more likely to trip on a grateful wannabe pet circling our legs as we go downstairs than any other animal/insect hazard.

My partner thought she was allergic to bees and got stung once here but had no allergic reaction--could be the next time will be the one where the major symptoms erupt so we're careful. It had been 50 years since she was last stung and maybe the allergy went into remission or something, or there could have been a faulty diagnosis 50 years ago.

Anyway, she kind of lives in fear, not knowing, if another bee sting could or could not be trouble. We don't plant flowers that draw a lot of bees, we avoid all perfumes and odiferous products, and we move inside once we spot bees circling our Cokes.

A sting could happen anywhere. We don't see the potential problem as any worse here than back in Phoenix, where every day the newspapers carried stories of people being attacked by Africanized "killer" bees.

Those who live out in the countryside around SMA of course do encounter snakes and such. Chances of a snake surviving a long crawl into Centro are as slim as a snake's belly.

Carol Schmidt

johanson

Jan 31, 2004, 5:05 PM

Post #6 of 17 (6749 views)

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Re: [Carol Schmidt] Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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I live at the edge of Ajijic. On 3 sides are woods and on one a street. I see snakes, scorpions, opossums, spiders etc, and several horses today, loose in the fields eating hay.

When I tell people in the center of town that I see maybe 20 scorpion a year they don't believe me.

The first time I was stung by a scorpion, I rushed to the Hospital where I had to be treated for a panic attack. The second time I realized that it was less painful than a bee sting and stopped worrying. Both times I was barefoot walking outdoors on the balcony in the dark.

Were I to have been wearing shoes or had the lights on, the scorpions would have not stung me.

Carron

Feb 1, 2004, 9:57 AM

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Re: [Carol Schmidt] Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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Your partner must have been stung by one honey of a bee!

Carron

Feb 1, 2004, 10:05 AM

Post #8 of 17 (6701 views)

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Re: [beguile] Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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Here in Mexico we fry and eat some of the more annoying--and tasty--bugs. Add a little salt and lime and enjoy!

gpk

Feb 1, 2004, 10:16 AM

Post #9 of 17 (6697 views)

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Re: [Carol Schmidt] Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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There are definitely alacranes, brown, tan or red, in San Migule centro (scorpions are bi, black and not dangerous--according to Mexican friends), so be careful! I have been told that keeping chickens around will eliminate alacranes--maybe worth a try.

beguile

Feb 6, 2004, 11:05 AM

Post #10 of 17 (6640 views)

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Re: [gpk] Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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Aloha once more!
As the initiator of this thread, & having been away from this site for a week, I`m compelled to ask,What are alacranes?

Thanx

Uncle Jack

Feb 6, 2004, 11:26 AM

Post #11 of 17 (6641 views)

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Re: [beguile] Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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Scorpions

http://translate.google.com/...6oe%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DG

uj

Carron

Feb 6, 2004, 12:11 PM

Post #12 of 17 (6626 views)

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Re: [Uncle Jack] Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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Here in northern Mexico they are referred to as "escorpiones". My friendly neighborhood mechanic refers to himself as "El Escorpion" and gives out great combo beer openers/key chains with that logo to his favorite customers.

gpk

Feb 6, 2004, 12:16 PM

Post #13 of 17 (6625 views)

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Re: [beguile] Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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Alacranes are "scorpions" to Gringos, but in central Mexico (Guanajuato, at least), alacranes are smaller and very dangerous, escorpiones are large, black and not very dangerous.

mkdutch

Feb 14, 2004, 9:42 AM

Post #14 of 17 (6511 views)

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Re: [gpk] Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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The bottom line is that If you chose to live in a developed urban area you're most likely to encounter ants, cockroaches, termites and bees as the dominant insect species. Living on the edges of such an area will increase the likelihood of scorpions, snakes, field mice/rats, etc. Locating close to water you will find spiders, mosquitos, gnats, "no-see-ums" and other similar species.

The above is generally true all over the world. The periodic use of insecticides and removal of things they like to eat or live in can dramatically reduce problems with them.

Seems to me you have to decide which option is the lesser of all the evils and locate accordingly. OTOH, often other considerations will far outweigh the minimal impact any "bugs" will have on your life anyway. Buena Suerte with your decision - there are many "right" places to live and play. If in doubt, rent for a month or two and then decide.

bfwpdx

Feb 18, 2004, 1:04 PM

Post #15 of 17 (6444 views)

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Re: [beguile] Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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What about pets getting bitten? What do people do about that? Is there an antidote to keep on hand and administer to them? I am more afraid for my two little dogs than for me....

mkdutch

Feb 20, 2004, 1:42 PM

Post #16 of 17 (6392 views)

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Re: [bfwpdx] Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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Hate generalities, but here goes one: Mexicans generally don't view dogs or cats in the same way "Gringos" do. So vets and treatment aren't as readily available in some areas as they are in the USA, for example.

However, in areas with large gringo populations, like Guad and Lake Chapala, the reverse is true. Excellent services are available as well as antidotes for common maladies. All you have to do is come down and simply ask around at the local gringo haunts - you'll get lots of help and advice. Don't worry about it.

AJSutton

Feb 21, 2004, 8:45 AM

Post #17 of 17 (6365 views)

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Re: [mkdutch] Bugs,snakes and biting critters! Thots from you!

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We are in San Miguel, Cozumel, in the center of town. We built on a large lot of which there are some in centro, and when we were building, we saw lots of big centipedes, some scorpions that were said to be very bad by local people, and an occasional tarantula (not much danger there- docile with no venom but they do bite if you hassle them). After we built I only see small centipedes. Our lot isn't wild any more so that is why I guess.

Inside we don't see anything, but we keep our place very clean- no food residues. We learned in the U.S. that the people who got roaches and ants had food out so we figured in a tropical place it would be worse. We don't fumigate or use posions at all- no need to and I hate these things as they poison us. Also they would probably kill the geckoes, which we have everywhere outside and they hunt inside as well. They are pretty nice dudes and I figure they are doing some heavy-duty exterminating.