Beautiful as Arizona is, our state has its fair share of pesky creatures. Following are some of the most common pests in Arizona and the dangers they can carry.

Black Widow Spider

The black widow spider is prevalent in Arizona. Contrary to popular belief, the female black widow does not eat the male. The female is most easily recognizable with her glossy black body and red hourglass shape. Males are smaller and gray. Black widow bites can be fatal. It has a neurotoxic venom that attacks the nervous system.

Fleas

Buildings in Arizona can have fleas even if no pets are inside. Fleas are great jumpers, jumping up to six feet and hitching rides on anyone to follow indoors. Here they can not only inflict discomfort but can even carry diseases like plague and murine typhus.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches can be a problem in Arizona. They infest homes but particularly love commercial buildings like restaurants and food processing plants. They are nasty creatures and can transmit disease-carrying bacteria like salmonella. They can also cause allergies and trigger asthma attacks in the asthmatic.

Scorpions

Scorpions live in habitats from the mountains to the low desert. Bark scorpions are the only climbing scorpions, and the ones most likely to invade your home. The largest one in Arizona is the Desert Hairy scorpion. Keep in mind that all scorpions also have neurotoxic venom. Take care when enjoying the great outdoors in Arizona. The scorpion’s sting can be deadly.

Ants

There are at least three kinds of ants that can invade Arizona residences. The carpenter ant hollows out wood for nesting purposes and can cause structural damage. They don’t sting, but they do have a painful bite. The crazy ant is named after the way worker ants run around in circles looking for food. They often enter Arizona homes in the fall and after a rain. They are after your food, and they are not picky. The Pharaoh ant is thought to have originated in Africa. This ant can be a particular problem in Arizona hospitals. They will enter wounds, IV bottles, and look for moisture in the mouth of infants. Homeowners should not spray these ants. It makes the infestation worse because they disband and make new colonies. As with most Arizona pests, it is best to leave the work to a certified pest control professional.