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You may be surprised to find some of the following creatures included in this list of Phoenix bugs, but to clarify; 'bug' is a word which classifies many invertebrate creatures, i.e.; creatures without a backbone. It is most often used to describe those invertebrates which have a segmented, outer skeleton and jointed legs. This group of creatures is known as arthropods, and includes mites, millipedes, centipedes, insects, spiders, scorpions and crustaceans.

That said, here's the lowdown on some of the bugs in Phoenix you may come across during your stay.

Scorpion

Phoenix is home to a variety of scorpions, although it should be noted not all types of this particular, nocturnal Phoenix bug are lethal. To illustrate this point, there many people who have been stung by scorpions several times and are still around to tell the tale. The reason for this is that some scorpions have two different types of venom; a less potent one for warning off a potential predator, and another stronger one which they employ for killing a predator or prey. However, as a precaution, all scorpion stings should receive medical attention.

The fact is, there are 1,500 known species of scorpion, only 25 of which are considered to have a sting which is potentially perilous to humans. Of that 25, the only scorpion which is found in the Phoenix area which has a life-threatening sting is the Arizona Bark Scorpion. They grow up to 3" in length, are brownish in color and they like to climb, scuttle about and hide in warm, dark places.

Different people will react to scorpion stings in different ways - all stings will cause pain, but it's the after-effects which will indicate the potency of the venom and the seriousness of the sting. Depending on the type of scorpion, a sting may cause nothing more than pain and discomfort for a day or so. However, muscle spasms, seizures, and uncontrollable rolling eye movements are an indication that the sting is potentially lethal, and medical assistance should be sought without delay.

You may be reassured to know that since the Arizona State University began its scorpion antivenin program, the number of people they have treated each year has been extremely low, particularly when you consider the number of residents in, and the visitors to, the state.

To ensure that you don't have a close encounter with these Phoenix bugs, it's a good idea to get into the habit of checking and shaking out, your clothes, bedding, towels and shoes to ensure that there are no scorpions lurking within.

Spider

The Black Widow spider is a Phoenix bug you're quite likely to come across on a pretty regular basis.

The first thing you should know about the Black Widow is that although it is the most venomous spider in the USA, its bite is rarely fatal as the amount of venom transferred to the recipient is so small.

However, any bite should receive immediate professional attention, as some people may experience a severe allergic reaction to the venom, which could result in respiratory paralysis, and ultimately, complete failure.

Of the Black Widow family, it's the adult female who administers the venomous bites. Although the adult males and the young do possess a store of venom, it is so weak that they are considered harmless.

The adult female Black Widow is easily recognizable. Often found hanging upside down in her web, she has a glossy black body and a red marking on her underside, similar to the shape of an hourglass.

Larger than the adult male, she is about 1½" in length - the adult males rarely exceed 1" in length. Other places this Phoenix bug likes to frequent are dark corners of garages, crawlspaces, outhouses and piles of wood.

To help reduce the incidence of Black Widow spiders in and around your home, keep your property cleared of webs, and maintain regular pest control for cockroaches, and other similar insects, which the Black Widow feeds on -- if you eliminate their source of food, they are less likely to come into your home.

As Black Widow spiders are nocturnal creatures, it is unlikely that you will be bothered by one during the day. In any event, they will not generally attack unless they feel threatened.

Click here to go to: Bugs in Phoenix -- part 2

-- Palo Verde Beetle

-- Ants

-- Bees

-- Termites