Have pest problems with scorpions? Learn all about these birds, including the different species of these eight-legged pests you may find near your home or business and your options to trap and eliminate scorpions from your property.
Discover more about scorpions here.
QUICK FACTS
TYPES OF SPECIES
PEST CONTROL SOLUTIONS
SCORPION FACTS
Scorpions are arachnids. They are close relatives of ticks, mites and spiders. There are approximately 2,500 species of scorpions worldwide. They are characterized by an elongated body and a segmented tail that is tipped with a venomous stinger. Scorpions are very common in the Southern and Southwestern United States. Most scorpions in the United States are not poisonous, except for two species found in the southwestern states of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.
Recognizing Scorpions and Treating Stings
Scorpions have a long slender body with a five-segmented tail that can be arched over the back. Size varies between the various scorpion species, but most measure about 2 inches when fully grown. Their colors range from yellow, blue, reddish brown and black.
Most of the scorpions that enter dwellings are not poisonous; their sting is similar to that of bees or wasps. It's usually better to assume that they are poisonous if you are unsure.
The Bark Scorpion is very venomous. If stung, call your local poison control center and go to the nearest hospital or personal physician for treatment. The venom of this scorpion may produce severe pain and swelling at the site of the sting, numbness, frothing at the mouth, difficulty in breathing (including respiratory paralysis), muscle twitching, and convulsions.
SIGNS OF SCORPIONS
During the day scorpions hide under stones, in piles of rocks, in cracks in masonry, in wood piles and under the bark of trees.
Why Do Scorpions Enter Homes?
Scorpions enter structures seeking water and shelter. If you have smaller insects in your home such as crickets and cockroaches, this may be a sign of a scorpion infestation. These smaller insects are the food that scorpions like to prey on. That means there is more of a chance of scorpions coming into your home to snatch of these insects, and they will, more likely than not, come back for more.
PEST TIPS
Remove Their Food Source
Although general pesticides do not do much in the way of stopping scorpions from entering your home, it can help to get rid of the smaller bugs that act as a food source.
Try the Stick-All
Glue traps, like Kness’ Stick-All® Glue Trap, can be placed near cracks and crevices, wall voids, electrical fittings, around doors and window frames to catch scorpions.
Eliminate Nesting Spots and Points of Entry
Remove outdoor harborages such as piles of trash, stones, boards, firewood on the ground and landscape timbers.
Points of entry into buildings should be sealed. Caulking may be applied around entry points in siding, windows, doors, pipes and wires.
Scorpions are arachnids. They are close relatives of ticks, mites, and spiders. There are approximately 2,500 species of scorpions worldwide. Scorpions are characterized by an elongated body and a segmented tail that is tipped with a venomous stinger. Scorpions are very common in the Southern and Southwestern United States.
Arizona Desert hairy scorpions are the largest scorpions in North America. Due to its large size, this scorpion feeds on a wide variety of prey such as lizards, snakes, and even other scorpions. This species gets its name from the brown hairs on its body, and these hairs are used to detect vibrations in the ground.
What You Need To Know About The Arizona Desert hairy scorpion
What do Arizona Desert hairy scorpions look like?
Average length of 5.5 inches
Beige or tan coloring
Darker brown coloring on the top of the body
Eight legs
Crab-like pincers
Brown hairs covering the body
What do Arizona Desert hairy scorpions eat?
Preys on large insects such as spiders
Also eats vertebrates such as lizards and snakes
Where do Arizona Desert hairy scorpions live?
Range includes southern California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, and Arizona
Usually dig burrows
What are the signs of an Arizona Desert hairy scorpion infestation?
There are no real distinct signs from these scorpions that would indicate an infestation, but you can use blacklight at night to find these creatures as their exoskeleton reflects UV light
Why do Arizona Desert hairy scorpions invade my home or business?
Availability of food such as crickets, spiders, and cockroaches
Sheltering opportunities due to opening in the property or outdoor landscaping that offers protection from the elements
Water and moisture accessibility, any standing water can be an attractant for scorpions
How do I get rid of Arizona Desert hairy scorpions?
Place traps along the baseboards of your home or business
Place traps in other areas of the home or business that you might think are entry points for scorpions
Call in a pest control expert
Tips To Prevent The Arizona Desert hairy scorpion Infestations
Regularly check for scorpions using a blacklight
Set sticky traps, such as the Kness Stick-All® Glue Trap, around your home
If other insects are present on the property, attempt to control those pests as well
Remove moisture around the property
Seal any gaps that your home or business may have with weather stripping or caulk
Found in the Sonoran Desert in the southwestern United States, the Arizona bark scorpion is a small, light-brown species that is one of the most prevalent species in the country. Even though these scorpions are small and are preyed on by a wide variety of other animals, these scorpions are very hardy. During U.S. nuclear testing during the cold war, these scorpions were found close to ground zero of bomb tests with no signs of adverse effects. They are the most venomous scorpion in North America.
What You Need To Know About Arizona bark scorpions
What do Arizona bark scorpions look like?
Light-brown coloring
2.75-3.14 inches long (females are larger than males)
Long pincers
Glow under blacklight
What do Arizona bark scorpions eat?
Prey on small and medium-sized animals
Beetles, spiders, crickets, cockroaches, and other insects
Will eat other scorpions
Where do Arizona bark scorpions live?
Their range includes Arizona, southern California, and western New Mexico
Hide during the day, typically under rocks, wood, or tree bark
Commonly found in homes with its range
What You Need To Know About Arizona bark scorpion Infestations
What are the signs of an Arizona bark scorpion infestation?
Why do Arizona bark scorpions invade my home or business?
How do I get rid of Arizona bark scorpions?
Tips To Prevent Arizona bark scorpion Infestations
Even though this scorpion is commonly called the “Florida Bark Scorpion,” the species Centruroides gracilis is not native to the state of Florida–it was an introduced species. This scorpion is native to Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. Today, they can be found in several countries such as Cuba, Panama, Columbia, Jamaica, and Ecuador. The Florida Bark Scorpion is sometimes kept as a pet.
What You Need To Know About Florida bark scorpions
What do Florida bark scorpions look like?
2 to 4 inches long (females are larger than males)
Yellowish, brown, and reddish-brown coloring
Darker on the top portion of the body
Thin crab-like pincers
What do Florida bark scorpions eat?
Where do Florida bark scorpions live?
Commonly lives under rocks and tree bark
When invading a home, these scorpions can be found in walls or under piles of material in the yard
What You Need To Know About Florida bark scorpion Infestations
What are the signs of a Florida bark scorpion infestation?
Why do Florida bark scorpions invade my home or business?
How do I get rid of Florida bark scorpions?
Tips To Prevent Florida bark scorpion Infestations
Although general pesticides do not stop scorpions from entering your home, they can help get rid of the smaller bugs that act as a food source.
Remove outdoor harborages such as piles of trash, stones, boards, firewood on the ground, and landscape timbers.
You should seal points of entry into buildings. Caulking may be applied around entry points in siding, windows, doors, pipes, and wires.
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