Our weather is warming up, the vegetation is turning green (where it exists, anyway)--the days are sunny and bright longer, and you don't walk out of your house freezing as bad in the morning. It's all very exciting to get back to our favorite part of the year in the Permian Basin. Here's the not-so-fun part: the critters are coming back out too. And by 'critters', I mean the scorpions and rattlesnakes. We've found them (scorpions) on walls in our house, friends have found them in their houses too, and they are walking around parts of the radio station offices as well. So far, they've only been spotted in the garage.

Not too far behind them will be the tarantulas and rattlesnakes. So while we're all excited it's warm again, consider this your friendly reminder when you're out and about to be careful while the critters are out searching for dinner-you don't want t to be YOU. Some great preventative measures you can take:

HIRE AN EXTERMINATOR FOR HOME

Displaced Rats Move Into More NYC Neighborhoods
Getty Images
loading...

Most companies have monthly plans that are affordable, and they do a great job keeping up on not only the inside of the house but also around the perimeter on the outside that covers the base of the home as well as the eves.

STAY CLEAR OF BUSHES AND TALL OR THICK SHRUBS

185013896
triloks
loading...

Especially if they're thick and you can't see what could be hiding in them. Don't let the dog get close to them on a walk either-you don't need your pets to get bitten. Best to stay clear and walk around them.

DON'T TAKE FOR GRANTED THERE'S NOTHING UNDER THAT ROCK

Ready to Strike
Clyde Laster
loading...

Rattlers like to hide under or behind rocks so steer clear of those too. Stay alert on dog walks and when you're walking anywhere be aware of your surroundings. The start of the season is when they're most active and out looking for food. Be safe out there!

LOOK: Stunning animal photos from around the world

From grazing Tibetan antelope to migrating monarch butterflies, these 50 photos of wildlife around the world capture the staggering grace of the animal kingdom. The forthcoming gallery runs sequentially from air to land to water, and focuses on birds, land mammals, aquatic life, and insects as they work in pairs or groups, or sometimes all on their own.

KEEP LOOKING: See What 50 of America's Most 'Pupular' Dog Breeds Look Like as Puppies

 

More From Fox Sports 1510