How to Identify & Control Scorpions

There are close to 2,000 species of scorpions worldwide. In the United States, they are common in the South and Southwest. There are more than 45 species of scorpions found in California and Arizona. Scientists are not completely sure why, but scorpions are fluorescent under ultraviolet light. 

What we do know is that no one likes finding a scorpion inside their home. Their stings can be painful, and they're just a nuisance anyway. Let's take a look at how to get rid of scorpions and keep them out of your house.

Are Scorpions Insects?

Scorpions are not insects. They're actually arachnids and closely related to ticks, mites, and spiders. They have long, slender bodies, 8 legs (2 that are exaggerated pincers), and a 5-segmented tail tipped with a venom-injecting barb that can be arched over their back. Sizes vary by species, but most are about 1-½ to 2 inches long when fully grown. They range in color from yellow, blue, reddish brown, and black. A scorpion typically lives for 2-10 years.

Where Do Scorpions Live?

While scorpions are most commonly thought of as desert dwellers, they can also be found in the mountains, deep caves, and boggy marshes. They are very adaptable and able to survive tropical environments, high temperatures, and very cold temperatures.

During the day, scorpions hide in shaded areas like under rocks, leaf piles, wood piles, logs, heavy vegetation, and the bark of trees. These pests enter our homes seeking water and shelter.

What Do Scorpions Eat?

Scorpions actively hunt at night. They eat insects, spiders, centipedes, earthworms, and other scorpions. Larger scorpions will occasionally feed on smaller lizards, snakes, and mice. They locate their prey primarily by sensing vibrations. When food is scarce, scorpions have the ability to slow their metabolism to survive on as few as one insect per year.

Are Scorpions Poisonous?

All scorpions are venomous. They use their venom to paralyze and kill their prey and to defend themselves. A small, young scorpion has the ability to inject the same amount of venom as a full-sized adult. Arizona bark scorpion is the only scorpion species in the U.S. that is considered dangerous. The striped bark scorpion is not considered as dangerous as the Arizona bark scorpion which is the most common and widely distributed species in the United States.

• striped bark scorpion. This scorpion is approximately 2½ inches long and varies in color from yellowish-tan to brown. Its defining characteristic is 2 dark stripes that run the length of its back. Striped bark scorpions live in the south-central U.S. as far east as Tennessee and as far north as Illinois. 
• Arizona bark scorpion. This scorpion is approximately 2-3 inches long and usually golden-yellow or very light brown in color with a slender tail and pincers. It is found in the Southwest U.S. The Arizona bark scorpion's sting is very painful and potentially lethal, particularly to children and the elderly.

While most scorpion stings are not dangerous, they can be painful nonetheless. Symptoms associated with a scorpion sting include a small red dot and pain or burning at the sting site, numbness, tingling, and minor swelling. To treat a scorpion sting, clean the area with soap and water and apply a cold compress. If a child or elderly person is stung, seek medical attention. If you or anyone stung experiences any unusual symptoms—trouble focusing, blurry vision, dizziness, trouble swallowing, drooling, a swollen tongue, slurred speech, or muscle twitching— go to an emergency room immediately.

How to Get Rid of Scorpions

There are several Ortho® products available that can help protect your home, yard, and your peace of mind. Inside your home, use Ortho® Home Defense® Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter₂ with Comfort Wand to kill the scorpions you see. To control scorpions in your yard, use Ortho® Bugclear™ Lawn Insect Killer1 to treat scorpions hiding in your landscape.

How to Prevent Scorpions from Getting Inside

The best way to protect your home from scorpions is to prevent them from coming inside in the first place. Create a barrier by applying Ortho® Home Defense® Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter₂ with Comfort Wand around doors, windows, other entry points, and around the perimeter of your home. Then take these additional steps to help keep scorpions away from your yard and out of your home:

• Seal all cracks you find in your home's foundation or siding.
• Make sure your window and door screens do not have any tears in them.
• Replace worn-out weather-striping to seal any gaps around doors and windows.
• Keep your home free of other insect pests to eliminate scorpions' food source.
• Remove any debris, like leaf piles, stones, and woodpiles, and keep your lawn and landscape trimmed to eliminate their hiding places.