Deadly Pests in Arizona

Don’t let the headline scare you, but Arizona is home to a few pests that can kill. This post is informational in nature, and precautions should be taken to ensure these creatures do not come into contact with you or your loved ones.

As always, consult a licensed professional when dealing with any pest but particularly those mentioned in this article.

 

BLACK WIDOW

It’s a common myth that the brown recluse spider is native to Arizona. This is not true, mainly because the desert recluse is commonly misidentified as its deadly lookalike. With that said, there’s still at least one spider to be wary of in Arizona, and that’s the black widow.

Black widow bites are rarely fatal, but can be particularly troublesome if left untreated. Be careful around cluttered, undisturbed, damp areas (sheds and garages are common hiding places).

 

RATTLESNAKE

Arizona is home to more than a dozen types of rattlesnakes. For the uninitiated, rattlers are members of the notorious pit viper family. They carry a ruthless, venom-packed bite and intimidating warning mechanism true to their namesake. Western Diamondback rattlesnakes can grow to 8 feet or more.

Like black widow bites, rattlesnake bites are rarely fatal if treated properly.

Rattlesnakes are not the only highly venomous snakes in Arizona. The Arizona Coral Snake is also quite dangerous, but no fatalities have been reported from this snake.

 

BARK SCORPION

Thousands of Arizonians are stung every year by bark scorpions. The most venomous scorpion in North America, this pest has claimed hundreds of lives over the years, but there have only been two recorded deaths in Arizona since 1968. Either way, these critters are difficult to spot in natural terrain and can climb walls and trees. These scorpions are known to group up in the wintertime in packs of 30 or more.

 

MICE

Though not traditionally grouped alongside vipers and spiders, mice carry potentially deadly diseases that can be spread through droppings, food contamination, bites, and other methods. Additionally, these little critters have been known to cause house fires from chewing on electrical wiring. As such, we consider mice to be cataloged alongside other dangerous creatures — and arguably more deadly than you might think.

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