Scorpions as a pest are one very unique thing about living in the Phoenix metro area. While there are 70 scorpion species in the United States, the most dangerous of all is the Arizona Bark Scorpion. If you live on the fringes of the desert, these pesky little night time critters can invade your home. The old Arizona wisdom is to check your shoes in the morning, to make sure there aren’t any scorpions hiding in them.
Scorpion Habits
Scorpions are nocturnal creatures; they hide during the heat of the day and come out at night. They feed mostly on insects; cockroaches and crickets are favorites, and they also like to eat spiders. However, scorpions are tough, and can survive without food for months as long as water is available.
As you may know, scorpions are desert creatures. Scorpions typically dig burrows or hide under rocks or debris. Likewise, during the heat of the summer, scorpions may enter your home through cracks in the walls or under doors, to hide in the cool, moist air. Attics and crawl spaces are a favorite scorpion hiding place.
Scorpion Stings
While most scorpion stings only produce mild symptoms similar to a bee sting, the dangerous venom of the Arizona bark scorpion can deliver a fatal sting.
Scorpions Glow Under a Black Light
When you shine a black light on a scorpion, it will glow neon blue. That’s because the UV light is converted by proteins in their bodies into a glowing blue light. If you’re curious whether you have scorpions around your Sonoran desert home, you can walk around at night with a black light. Arizonans have hunted scorpions like that for decades.
Preventing a Scorpion Infestation
The best way to prevent scorpions is to get rid of any potential hiding places around your property. That includes woodpiles, debris, and any trash; it could also include landscaping stones and wood. Likewise, store lumber and firewood at least twenty feet from the house as well as 5” off the ground.
Scorpions can creep into your home through torn screens, under doors and through cracks in the walls. It’s important to seal any cracks or holes with caulk and to repair torn window and door screens. Likewise, scorpions can crawl under garage and entry doors; if you can see light streaming into the garage from the outside, the seal under the door needs to be replaced.
If you need the best scorpion pest control in Phoenix Arizona call our Experts today!
