Snakes and Scorps
- Thread starter NSully
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As SWGB said, the scorpions here won't kill you, except for possibly being allergic. But to be stung hurts like holy hell. The scorpions do favor pine trees, though. When we moved to Freeport, our house was full of them. They even got in my car. 
We also had about 70 small, skinny, lightning-rod, hurricane-projectile pine trees in our 1/2 acre yard. Between the scorpions and the fact that pine trees scare the stuffing out of my spouse for the reasons stated above, we sold the trees for timber. After about three months the scorpions were gone.
(Note that I am typically against tree-cutting, but this was different.)
Snakes are basically everywhere. There are fewer poisonous ones crawling around than there used to be, but all it takes is one. Look up Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattler, Cottonmouth Moccasin, and Coral Snake. Between those four, that pretty much covers it. Also look up Hognose (aka spreading adders). They are perfectly harmless but will scare you, on purpose, to keep you from hurting it.
We also had about 70 small, skinny, lightning-rod, hurricane-projectile pine trees in our 1/2 acre yard. Between the scorpions and the fact that pine trees scare the stuffing out of my spouse for the reasons stated above, we sold the trees for timber. After about three months the scorpions were gone.(Note that I am typically against tree-cutting, but this was different.)
Snakes are basically everywhere. There are fewer poisonous ones crawling around than there used to be, but all it takes is one. Look up Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattler, Cottonmouth Moccasin, and Coral Snake. Between those four, that pretty much covers it. Also look up Hognose (aka spreading adders). They are perfectly harmless but will scare you, on purpose, to keep you from hurting it.
We've spent a total of 6 weeks in Seagrove to date and I've never seen a snake or scorpion (knock on wood) near our rental, I've seen some garden spiders and more ants and mosquitos than any other critters.
Unless you're in a woodsy area, I wouldn't worry much. Myself, I stay on the concrete or beach and always feel safe!
I did see one snake on the beach a couple of years ago, a large group of folks had left all of their floats and chairs on the beach overnight-hello, big NO NO-and there was a snake,looked non-venomous to my hubby, under their floats the next morning. Some forum folks might say that's what they get for leaving all of their stuff out overnight.
Unless you're in a woodsy area, I wouldn't worry much. Myself, I stay on the concrete or beach and always feel safe!
I did see one snake on the beach a couple of years ago, a large group of folks had left all of their floats and chairs on the beach overnight-hello, big NO NO-and there was a snake,looked non-venomous to my hubby, under their floats the next morning. Some forum folks might say that's what they get for leaving all of their stuff out overnight.
I've also seen several bald eagles flying about the coastal dune lakes this year. I wouldn't leave my small dog or cat out alone if they are flying overhead. There was a sad story when we were in Alaska about a couple who got out of their RV at the gas station and let their tiny pooch out unteathered. Eagle came down, picked him up and carried him away never to be seen again. Maybe the eagle will swoop into your yard and grab any snake that happens to be about. I see a harmelss snake or two in my yard each year. I have a very wild and native yard though. I enjoy watching the spiders out in the yard. They can't come in the house, however.
Brown Widow
Are you sure? I did some research and thought that these two species, while in FL, are not found in the panhandle. Especially the recluse because I thought I had them in my last home.
I'm not saying you're wrong, I just gotta be right.
Yellow Jackets are annoying too! They burrow into the ground, and next thing you know, they're swarming you! Got a half a dozen or more inside my work glove last summer.