I lived in New River/Desert hills almost my whole life and used to ride my dirt bikes and shoot doves/deer hunt where Anthem now is. Lol What was funny is when I was growing up Dell Webb wanted to buy that property but it was state land and they wouldnt give it up, well it just so happen to burn one year and all the sudden Dell Webb got their hands on it. So I guess it burning helped get rid of the insects and small creatures....
That place 25 years ago was crawling with scorpions, huge frogs and Gila Monsters. My parents used to catch them and rattle snakes with their bare hands (F'n crazy) I have also gotten bit by a Bull snake, harmless but they still have fine teeth and hurt. If any of you want to see some crazy sized scorpions just head out to Anthem, and hike up Daisy mountain. There are also some old Indian ruins up there with arrowheads all over.

Terrible story I know, but I was just chiming in :)