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Goodbye, Scorpion; Farewell, Black Widow Spider: How to Avoid the Stings and Bites of the Southwest's Dangerous Arachnids - And What to Do If You Don't
A detailed manual (with 15 photographs and illustrations) on how to avoid the stings and bites of the Southwest's dangerous arachnids-and what to do if you don't! A homeowner's guide to eradicating these critters without resorting to pesticides. The book includes a detailed description of the history and habits of the critter, a section on the Black Widow of interest to residents outside the Southwest, an extensive scientific bibliography, and a full listing of the nation's Poison Control Centers.
127 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
About the author
David R. Hawkins
2 booksLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 28, 2024
People living in the Southwest of the United States have a “pest” problem that other areas may not have. Specifically, scorpions. Arizona seems to be at the forefront, but New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, and Southern California also can have sightings of the venomous arachnid and social media will occasionally have some homeowner asking for advice on how to get rid of them. This book has one main goal…
HOW TO GET RID OF SCORPIONS!
The author opens the book by noting the number of people who either spray poisonous fluids (or pay to have them sprayed) around their homes and properties and then go to sleep believing they have solved the problem. Pity the complacent resident who then wakes up at 2 AM to find the supposedly killed scorpions meandering across their ceiling. Meanwhile, the owners and their pest companies have destroyed beneficial insects and wildlife while the very culprit they were after continues to live on and on and on. Such is life in certain areas of the Southwest.
The first part of the book provides real-world examples of how to rid a home of these critters, including the use of a Scorp-Gard® and drag strips under doors. This makes the entry of scorpions more difficult and means the nasty pesticides aren’t needed. There is also a chapter on scorpion stings, which can sometimes prove fatal. The second part of the book looks at the very dangerous Black Widow Spider, which doesn’t limit itself just to the Southwest. As the author notes, they are shy and retiring unless threatened and one won’t find a Black Widow dead on a glue board. Here, a quick blast of pesticide IS recommended, as it’s localized and focused on the specific insect.
Finally, the back of the book provides information on first-aid and regional poison centers within the entire United States. There is even a tear-out section with the vital sting/bite information, so one can have the info posted nearby. The book was published before the advent of smartphones but one may not have much time to grab a phone given the toxicity of the venom. In fact, the only thing missing from this book is a chapter for Rattlesnakes, which kill pets and humans throughout the Southwest. But, that would probably need a whole separate book by itself.
This is one of those specialty publications I love to have in my collection. Especially, given all the AI disinformation that is overwhelming the internet, it’s nice to have a very simple book to explain it all and to have on hand for possible emergency events.
Book Season = Year Round (duct invaders)
HOW TO GET RID OF SCORPIONS!
The author opens the book by noting the number of people who either spray poisonous fluids (or pay to have them sprayed) around their homes and properties and then go to sleep believing they have solved the problem. Pity the complacent resident who then wakes up at 2 AM to find the supposedly killed scorpions meandering across their ceiling. Meanwhile, the owners and their pest companies have destroyed beneficial insects and wildlife while the very culprit they were after continues to live on and on and on. Such is life in certain areas of the Southwest.
The first part of the book provides real-world examples of how to rid a home of these critters, including the use of a Scorp-Gard® and drag strips under doors. This makes the entry of scorpions more difficult and means the nasty pesticides aren’t needed. There is also a chapter on scorpion stings, which can sometimes prove fatal. The second part of the book looks at the very dangerous Black Widow Spider, which doesn’t limit itself just to the Southwest. As the author notes, they are shy and retiring unless threatened and one won’t find a Black Widow dead on a glue board. Here, a quick blast of pesticide IS recommended, as it’s localized and focused on the specific insect.
Finally, the back of the book provides information on first-aid and regional poison centers within the entire United States. There is even a tear-out section with the vital sting/bite information, so one can have the info posted nearby. The book was published before the advent of smartphones but one may not have much time to grab a phone given the toxicity of the venom. In fact, the only thing missing from this book is a chapter for Rattlesnakes, which kill pets and humans throughout the Southwest. But, that would probably need a whole separate book by itself.
This is one of those specialty publications I love to have in my collection. Especially, given all the AI disinformation that is overwhelming the internet, it’s nice to have a very simple book to explain it all and to have on hand for possible emergency events.
Book Season = Year Round (duct invaders)
Displaying 1 of 1 review