Photo By Cynthia McIntyre | The giant desert hairy scorpion is one of several species found in the High Desert...... read more read more
BARSTOW, Calif. - Many of the creepy crawlies that bite, sting, or just frighten folks here in the High Desert begin showing themselves when the weather warms - just when many people start walking around in bare feet. You can take precautions to avoid dangerous encounters, and understand that not all scary-looking things are dangerous.
The base pest control folks won't even kill a rattlesnake, but they will do their utmost to remove it.
"We release it in the desert," said Eric Fortin, pest control coordinator for Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif. He believes snakes have a role to play in nature, even if people don't want them playing it near their homes or workplaces.
"I don't expect to see a lot of snakes this year," said Fortin. "It depends on the drought," he explained. Rain means more insects, and lizards and rodents which eat them multiply, as do the snakes that eat them. During some years, pest control can get 50 to 100 calls for snakes, most of which are non-venomous, such as whip snakes, gopher snakes, or red racers. However, it is the previous year's rainfall that determines the snake population.
Rattlesnakes, of course, have rattles, which they often use to warn away predators such as people. But if you put your hand or foot in a shady spot, or step on a snake sunning itself around a corner, neither you nor the snake may have time for a friendly warning.
Fortin says people working at the Yermo Annex should lift pallets and other outdoor equipment with care, since snakes might lurk there. And since rattles can break off, some rattlesnakes lack their trademark noisemaker.
The U.S. Geological Survey's Southwest Biological Science Center website warns: "Common sense is the best protection against dangerous species when afield: Watch where you place your hands, where you place your feet, and where you sit. If you find a snake, LEAVE IT ALONE!"
Most rattlesnake venom is a hemotoxin, meaning it affects the victim through the bloodstream. The Mojave green rattlesnake also has a neurotoxin, affecting the nervous system, and is therefore more potent - 10 times more toxic than any other rattlesnake in the U.S. Adult Mojave greens are two to four feet long and can have a vivid diamond pattern, or can look somewhat drab and pale. Coloration is generally various shades of green.
While the Mojave green is the most common rattlesnake found at Nebo, the sidewinder is more often seen at Yermo. This snake slithers sideways with an emphatic "S" shaped motion.
If you see what you think is a venomous snake on base, call pest control at 577-6467. Fortin asks that you keep an eye on the snake so pest control knows exactly where it is when they arrive, which is generally within a few minutes. He also advises keeping the perimeter of your house or building free of debris and weeds, which attract rodents, snakes, and scorpions.
The scorpion is another creepy crawly that people want gone from their homes. They tend to come out at night, which is why many park rangers love taking people on night hikes to look for them. Scorpions glow under a black light, which can overcome the "ick" factor on such a nature walk.
Most scorpion toxin isn't fatal to humans, and the most common one in this area is the giant desert hairy scorpion, said Fortin. Since it can grow up to seven inches long and has brown hairs on its yellow body, it's a fitting moniker.
"It has a weak venom, like a bad bee sting," said Fortin.
A lot of folks in this area see arachnids which go by several names: solifugae, sun spiders, camel spiders, wind scorpions, and even vinegaroons. However, Fortin says the vinegaroon isn't found in the High Desert, although several people in the area swear they have seen these brown critters with the long whiptails that spray an acetic acid mixture that smells like vinegar. The sun spiders are harmless and Fortin catches them by hand and puts them outside. "They're very beneficial," he said. "They eat spiders and insects."
The only spider in this area with venom dangerous enough to seriously affect humans is the black widow. The female, known by her shiny black body and red hourglass on the bottom of her abdomen, loves the numerous cracks and crevices that homes provide. "The webs are a matted mess," said Fortin. "They tend to be on the hotter side of a building."
Juveniles and males look nothing like the female, and several harmless spiders often get squished because they look like black widows. However, the female is responsible for most of the human bites.
To give black widows their due, they helped us win World War II, since their strong silk was used to make crosshairs for gun sights.
Fortin said pest control is not very effective in controlling spiders, since they don't absorb pesticides through their footpads. Make your living space unattractive to spiders by vacuuming and cleaning trash piles and clutter inside and out, and checking things in storage before you move them.
Many harmless spiders look particularly nasty, especially the huge tarantulas.
"Tarantulas are part of our natural environment," said Stephanie White, natural and cultural resources specialist at MCLB Barstow. "Teach your children about these animals so they will understand that they are as much a part of the desert as the birds, the coyotes, and the tortoises," added White. "Let them explore their curiosity at Barstow's Desert Discovery Center where they can see the animals up close without the risk of injury. Be sure to keep your pets safe from wildlife, too."
| Date Taken: | 04.08.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.08.2015 17:15 |
| Story ID: | 159466 |
| Location: | BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 607 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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