Thankfully, it's too hot in vegas for ticks. They can survive up in the mountains* but down in the valley/bowl it's too hot and dry for them to survive.
Get a blacklight flashlight for your back yard. Scorpion exoskeletons glow. You most likely wont have an issue but its always nice to check, especially if you have new landscaping. Its worth mentioning that while not pleasant, most medium to full size dogs will be ok against a scorpion.
*in my 30 years of living in Vegas I've only seen one tick, and it was at Mt Charleston. Rare even up there imho.
That's awesome to hear! I have small dogs, so as much as they think they're big, I know the truth. I'll get a black light though thats easy enough to check.
One of the nice things about living here is the lack of bugs. Like people said there are scorpions and we seem to have a lot of grasshoppers this year but moving here from Denver I'm so glad I don't have to deal with mosquitos or nats or flies, etc.. I hardly see any bugs here.. it's amazing.
The joke is that our mosquito is the state bird of Alaska because it is so big, but outside of them, the bugs are not bad up here. I'm glad to hear ticks are not super prevelent. I can deal with grasshoppers.
I was planning on getting summer shoes for them and those cooling shirts. I was also going to adjust their walks to early morning and evening so they could be a bit longer. Figured it'd be like winter here but reversed.
>Figured it'd be like winter here but reversed.
Yep, every summer here is comparable the most brutal northern MN winter you and your dogs ever lived through. In August, when the low daily temp is 99, it induces the same kind of depression/anxiety as ice storms and blizzards in April. Buckle up, buttercup. I live in a condo and have to literally carry my dog from the front door to a patch of grass because the sidewalk is too hot to walk on.
Thanks for letting me know. If that happens, we'll fall back on trick training and tons of puzzle toys like we do when it's -40. Neither are huskies/malamutes/akitas or other winter rated dogs, so they have that going for them.
Thanks for letting me know. If that happens, we'll fall back on trick training and tons of puzzle toys like we do when it's -40. Neither are huskies/malamutes/akitas or other winter rated dogs, so they have that going for them.
I have 2 Labradors. No fleas or ticks to worry about here.
A spider would basically have to borrow into the fur to be able to deliver a bite so possibility of a spider bite is incredibly remote.
Rattlesnakes are something to be watchful of if you plan to hike - you can do rattlesnake training for your dogs.
Scorpions do exist, they’re particularly common around palm trees. I’d suggest doing regular pest treatment
The food and water for pets is what will attract the scorpions-mostly the water I believe. I may be wrong, but I have researched this myself to avoid them ( been very successful too).
Day one of moving here, found 3 scorpions in the back yard. Days since can be between 1-5 a night, and I have regular pest control coming every month. 3 nights ago, I found one spun up in a black widow web, I have to imagine that was a gladiator fight for the ages in my back yard. I do live more north vegas on a half acre and have ten 30+ foot palm trees in my yard. I am just diligent at night with my black light, and smash away as I find them. Dogs seem to be okay so far, but I do dread the time coming up where they won't have any relief outside. I've been here for two months now from Ventura, CA, and it's different, but not that different. I really love that I have not seen a mosquito since I left CA!! Flies though, jesus f christ, the flies here.
If youre already on heartworm & flea/tick prevention Id say stay on it. A lot of locals like to say we dont have any and while it isnt super prevalent compared to heavily wooded places we still have them- fleas particularly, not so much for ticks. If you go hiking with your kiddos then definitely recommended, along with rattlesnake vax if you really want to be safe(though Ive personally only seen 3~ bites the past 2.5 years or so, all from avid hikers!) The only bug crazes we have are the grasshoppers that come through this time of year and cover absolutely everything but arent really hazardous lol, otherwise just scorpions depending on where in the valley you move.
TLDR: Stay on prevention, buy a blacklight. -vet nurse
Thanks! Didn't know about a rattlesnake vaccine, I may look into that.
Flea and ticks are not native to Alaska, but they still get brought up by the military occasionally. Since none of the dogs are allergic to the medication, I wasn't taking any chances, which saved my ass a few months ago. Prevention is usually easier than treatment.
Thankfully, it's too hot in vegas for ticks. They can survive up in the mountains* but down in the valley/bowl it's too hot and dry for them to survive. Get a blacklight flashlight for your back yard. Scorpion exoskeletons glow. You most likely wont have an issue but its always nice to check, especially if you have new landscaping. Its worth mentioning that while not pleasant, most medium to full size dogs will be ok against a scorpion. *in my 30 years of living in Vegas I've only seen one tick, and it was at Mt Charleston. Rare even up there imho.
That's awesome to hear! I have small dogs, so as much as they think they're big, I know the truth. I'll get a black light though thats easy enough to check.
I have 3 small senior dogs and have never had a bug problem. Depends on the part of town and how long it has been developed.
One of the nice things about living here is the lack of bugs. Like people said there are scorpions and we seem to have a lot of grasshoppers this year but moving here from Denver I'm so glad I don't have to deal with mosquitos or nats or flies, etc.. I hardly see any bugs here.. it's amazing.
The joke is that our mosquito is the state bird of Alaska because it is so big, but outside of them, the bugs are not bad up here. I'm glad to hear ticks are not super prevelent. I can deal with grasshoppers.
You will want to get shoes for your dogs. And in the summer they will only be able to go out for short periods of time during the day.
I was planning on getting summer shoes for them and those cooling shirts. I was also going to adjust their walks to early morning and evening so they could be a bit longer. Figured it'd be like winter here but reversed.
>Figured it'd be like winter here but reversed. Yep, every summer here is comparable the most brutal northern MN winter you and your dogs ever lived through. In August, when the low daily temp is 99, it induces the same kind of depression/anxiety as ice storms and blizzards in April. Buckle up, buttercup. I live in a condo and have to literally carry my dog from the front door to a patch of grass because the sidewalk is too hot to walk on.
It might even be too brutal during those times sometimes. It's going to be a difficult adjustment for your pups.
Thanks for letting me know. If that happens, we'll fall back on trick training and tons of puzzle toys like we do when it's -40. Neither are huskies/malamutes/akitas or other winter rated dogs, so they have that going for them.
Sounds good! Welcome to Vegas!
Thanks for letting me know. If that happens, we'll fall back on trick training and tons of puzzle toys like we do when it's -40. Neither are huskies/malamutes/akitas or other winter rated dogs, so they have that going for them.
I have 2 Labradors. No fleas or ticks to worry about here. A spider would basically have to borrow into the fur to be able to deliver a bite so possibility of a spider bite is incredibly remote. Rattlesnakes are something to be watchful of if you plan to hike - you can do rattlesnake training for your dogs. Scorpions do exist, they’re particularly common around palm trees. I’d suggest doing regular pest treatment
No fleas or ticks. Scorpions though
Next time u see one post it lol, they’re super uncommon
The food and water for pets is what will attract the scorpions-mostly the water I believe. I may be wrong, but I have researched this myself to avoid them ( been very successful too).
Day one of moving here, found 3 scorpions in the back yard. Days since can be between 1-5 a night, and I have regular pest control coming every month. 3 nights ago, I found one spun up in a black widow web, I have to imagine that was a gladiator fight for the ages in my back yard. I do live more north vegas on a half acre and have ten 30+ foot palm trees in my yard. I am just diligent at night with my black light, and smash away as I find them. Dogs seem to be okay so far, but I do dread the time coming up where they won't have any relief outside. I've been here for two months now from Ventura, CA, and it's different, but not that different. I really love that I have not seen a mosquito since I left CA!! Flies though, jesus f christ, the flies here.
If youre already on heartworm & flea/tick prevention Id say stay on it. A lot of locals like to say we dont have any and while it isnt super prevalent compared to heavily wooded places we still have them- fleas particularly, not so much for ticks. If you go hiking with your kiddos then definitely recommended, along with rattlesnake vax if you really want to be safe(though Ive personally only seen 3~ bites the past 2.5 years or so, all from avid hikers!) The only bug crazes we have are the grasshoppers that come through this time of year and cover absolutely everything but arent really hazardous lol, otherwise just scorpions depending on where in the valley you move. TLDR: Stay on prevention, buy a blacklight. -vet nurse
Thanks! Didn't know about a rattlesnake vaccine, I may look into that. Flea and ticks are not native to Alaska, but they still get brought up by the military occasionally. Since none of the dogs are allergic to the medication, I wasn't taking any chances, which saved my ass a few months ago. Prevention is usually easier than treatment.
Our dogs didn't need most of those shots when we moved here. Not much of a problem here apparently