Reply #20

things like the newspaper article in the OP get published all the time - leave stuff like that lying around.

keep a good quality flashlight handy by any doors for going outside when it isn't fully light out

scorpions...some houses have them and others don't. if you are backed up to rocky hillsides or a wash, or brushy area you may be more prone to them. "they" say new homes in newly cleared areas are bad for them, but I live in 100+ year old house and we always have them in the summer. Usually at least a couple of us get stung once a year or maybe even more often. Not that big of a deal (although it is scary and startling when it happens at night in bed - pisses you off, I tell you!)

snakes are not as common though more dangerous, obviously
some places the fire dept, or local law enforcement will come take care of the problem (usually killing), some people keep a snake catcher stick and a 5 gallon bucket (with good lid) and relocate. I doubt if that is very effective - I hate when people advocate that for rodent pests, but it is an option. I kill them around the house and barn (gun, shovel, rocks). I also catch bull snakes and bring them to the same area in hopes of keeping rattlers out competed. Out in the pastures/range I don't kill them anymore (don't tell my ancestors or neighbors). My youngest was bitten when he was 18 months so I just don't tolerate them around the HQ at all. Cats are hard on bird life but they are the most immune to rattlesnake venom of the usual "pets" we keep. They can be a good warning system for them as they will hassle a snake till it coils up and buzzes then you can get rid of it.