Scorpions
What are scorpions?
Scorpions are venomous pests that belong to the class Arachnida along with spiders, ticks, and mites. There are over 1,000 species of scorpions found living worldwide. In our area, two of the most common species are the brown bark scorpion and the desert hairy scorpion.
Scorpions have a segmented body and a long segmented tail that curls up over its body. At the end of their tail is a curved stinger used to inject venom into their prey to subdue them after catching them with their large pincers. Scorpions are excellent hunters, although they rely on touch and vibrations to hunt because, despite having many eyes, these arachnids have poor vision.
Brown bark scorpions are small with adults only growing to about 2 ½ – 3 inches in length. Their body is a brownish-yellow or tan color and their tails are thinner than other scorpion species.
These scorpions are a larger species than the bark scorpion with adults growing to between 5 and 7 inches long. Their bodies are yellow with darker colored markings on their backs. Both their bodies and their tails are covered in small brown hairs.
Are scorpions dangerous?
Scorpions can deliver excruciating stings and the venom most scorpions produce is as potent as bee or wasp venom. In children and people with compromised immune systems, their venom could trigger a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. It is also critical to understand that their venom is potent enough that their stings can be fatal to smaller pets. If scorpions are living on your property, call a professional immediately to remove them safely.
Why do I have a scorpion problem?
Scorpions may take up residence in any yard that provides them with suitable sources of shelter and plenty of food and water. Scorpions feed on a wide variety of prey, including insects, spiders, other scorpions, mice, and even small lizards. Properties with high populations of their preferred food sources will most likely have problems with scorpions.
Where will I find scorpions?
Scorpions are nocturnal hunters and hide during the day in dark, cool, quiet places. Outside, scorpions hide behind tree bark, and under things like rocks, logs, fallen trees, woodpiles, and mulch in garden areas. Moving inside through the spaces under doors, torn windows, cracks in the foundation, or openings in exterior walls, scorpions hide in places that mimic their outdoor environments such as basements, crawl spaces, bathrooms (sinks and tubs), and laundry rooms. It is also important to know that scorpions tend to travel in groups. If you find one scorpion in your home or yard, know that there are likely several more lurking around just out of sight.
Occasional Invaders
What are occasional invaders?
The term “occasional invaders” applies to any insect or arthropod that enter properties sporadically throughout the year. These annoying pests invade Spring, homes and businesses whenever the conditions indoors are more favorable than the living conditions of their natural environments.The most common occasional invaders known to be living throughout our area of eastern are centipedes, crickets, earwigs, millipedes, powder post beetles, and scorpions.
Are occasional invaders dangerous?
In most cases, occasional invaders are simply searching for somewhere that provides more favorable living conditions. They aren’t trying to bite, sting, or hurt you in any way. However, some occasional invaders can be dangerous to your health or cause damage to your property. Powder post beetles bore into the hardwood of properties to lay their eggs, which can damage the structure of your home. These small, wood-boring insects are usually found only once their holes are discovered in decks, rafters, and wooden furniture. Scorpions are capable of inflicting painful stings and, while most scorpion stings aren’t fatal, their venom can still cause disturbing side effects. Some symptoms of typical scorpion stings include itching, redness, swelling, and pain around the affected area.
Why do I have an occasional invader problem?
Occasional invaders are so called because they only invade occasionally. These pests move away from their original homes if the living conditions of their natural environments become unfavorable. Centipedes and millipedes often invade properties where they can find excess moisture. Earwigs prefer environments that are damp and dark. Scorpions are known to invade properties close to construction sites, as the loud noises and movements scare scorpions away from their normal habitats and into your lawn. From there, pests will invade through cracks, gaps, and other easy entry points around your foundation.
Where will I find occasional invaders?
There are many places occasional invaders will hide; however, there are a few factors that may encourage certain pests to live in separate areas of your property. Powder post beetles bore into hardwood structures. Scorpions prefer areas with high insect activity. Millipedes and centipedes are attracted to moisture and darkness. Earwigs and crickets thrive in cool, damp, and dark locations. All of these occasional invaders are likely to infest dark, moist areas such as basements, bathrooms, crawlspaces, and wall voids.
Centipedes live outside in very moist locations like behind tree bark, in piles of leaves, in trash cans, under mulch, or under rotting logs. Inside, they take up residence in places that mimic their outdoor locations such as basements, bathrooms, and crawlspaces.
Earwigs live outside in damp, dark areas. They are commonly seen in garden areas, in tree stumps, under landscaping ties, and under mulch. Earwigs that make their way inside to escape extremely hot and dry weather conditions are usually found in basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Millipedes have high moisture needs and prefer to live in and around areas of decaying vegetation. Millipedes don’t usually survive for very long inside because of their high moisture needs, but when indoors they are usually found in basements and crawlspaces.
Crickets live around trash cans, in garden areas, in rock or woodpiles, under fallen trees, and under mulch. Inside, they take up residence in basements, crawlspaces, and laundry rooms. Crickets are often attracted to homes by outdoor lights and areas of moisture. They commonly move inside through gaps under doors, especially walk-out basement doors.
Powder post beetles are wood-boring insects. These wood-destroying insects attack hardwoods and are common invaders of antique furniture, barn wood, building timbers, and hardwood floors. They are often introduced into homes accidentally in infested pieces of wood and wooden structures.
Scorpions live in landscaping timbers, in rocks or woodpiles, in trashcans, under fallen trees, and under logs. They may move inside when the weather becomes too hot, seeking cool, moist shelter. Attics, basements, bathtubs, and sinks are all places that scorpions commonly call home.
scorpion facts to make your skin crawl
Scorpions become more active in Arizona once the temperature rises above 70 degrees. So you’ll see more scorpions from March through October Outside your home, or inside the house, these creepy-crawly creatures can be found anywhere.
Scorpions are as old as dirt.
Scorpions have been giving people the heebie-jeebies for a very, very, very long time. They have been on earth for more than 400 million years. That’s longer than humans and dinosaurs. And in that time, they haven’t changed a whole lot. Scientists know of about 1,500 species of scorpions, but there could be another 1,000 undiscovered types
Scorpions are tough
This tiny arachnid can go an entire year without food! How is this possible? They have fat layers on their exoskeleton that make them resistant to water loss. They can also slow down their metabolism when food is scarce. If that isn’t impressive, they can also live underwater for up to two days.
Their venom is very potent and can, in some rare cases, kill you. Most healthy adults will survive a scorpion sting, though it is very unpleasant. Expect intense, radiating pain near the sting site. Some people have described it as burning like fire. Numbness and tingling are common symptoms, too.
Scorpions are fierce and ruthless hunters
Scorpions have allegiance to no one! They’ll attack insects, other scorpions and even family members. They are very patient hunters, sitting for hours in one spot, still as water, waiting for victims to come too close. A scorpion will then snatch it’s prey with lightning speed as its tail hammers down with paralyzing blows. Once the scorpion’s meal is motionless, it will be torn apart by the pincers.
The Beginner’s Guide to Scorpion Control
There are many pests that homeowners and business owners have to deal with, but one that makes people stressed out is the scorpion. Because of the fact that these pests look terrifying and the fact that they can sting, most people find them frightening. They definitely aren’t a pest that you want to find in your home or business!
there are many different species of scorpions, there’s really only one species that is common to the area. This is the striped bark scorpion. While scorpions are sometimes thought of as desert animals that only live in hot dry environments, the striped bark scorpion is actually attracted to cool, damp, and dark areas.
Here is a brief overview of the striped bark scorpion:
This scorpion usually is around 2 inches long.
Like most other scorpions, they have a stinger at the end of their tails.
They also have two claw-like pincers.
They are a cloudy, yellow color, and they have dark stripes running down their backs.
They are venomous.
They are nocturnal.
How Dangerous Are Scorpions?
Many species of scorpion are venomous and their stings can be a cause for medical concern. However, how dangerous and deadly a scorpion is depends on the species. As far as the striped bark scorpion is concerned, they are venomous, and their bites are enough of a concern that you should get medical help if you are stung. However, their stings are rarely fatal. The only time these scorpions can cause medical issues severe enough to cause fatalities are when a person is severely allergic.
Where Do Scorpions Hide?
Because of the fact that scorpions are dangerous, and because they can be so unpleasant to encounter, knowing where they hide is important. By knowing where they hide, you can try to avoid them as much as possible.
Signs Of And How To Tell If A House Has Scorpions
Here are some things to evaluate that may indicate a scorpion problem:
External features such as washes, alleys, golf courses
Poorly maintained landscaping
Vacant or poorly maintained home
Other pest infestations
Excessive spider webs
The most important thing to know is that there are tons of properties for sale that don’t have scorpions. Scorpions are common, but not everywhere. Think of them like solitary wasps from your area. They are present and may get into the house but they mostly mind their own business.
No, scorpions are not found everywhere. They are found in pockets throughout and the surrounding area. Many things contribute to scorpion activity, including factors on and adjacent to the property. We have found extreme scorpion infestations at properties and found no scorpions at locations across the street.
Scorpions are not drawn to your home more than any other place in your yard. In most places, it is rare to get scorpions in your home. Scorpions have poor eyesight and use touch as the main guide to finding habitats. They look for small cracks to crawl in. Usually, they are found in the home by accident unless you have another pest problem that is supplying food for the scorpions. If you are purchasing a vacant home there is a higher probability that scorpions are inside the home
No, scorpions do not nest. Scorpions are not a social species that work together and have a queen, like a bee or an ant. They are individuals fighting for survival. If there are ample food and shelter, scorpions may exist in high densities which can appear to be a nest.