As members of the Arachnida family, scorpions share similarities with spiders, mites, and ticks. Their existence dates back 425-450 million years and, therefore, these pests can be admired for their resilience—even if you don’t want them in your home. The following pest control guide explains more about them and the threat they pose.

What to Know About Scorpions

Appearance & Favorite Habitats

The eight-legged creatures have segmented bodies and tails. Their tails remain vertical and feature venomous stingers on the ends; the front of their bodies has claws. 

Scorpion carapaces, or “head shields,” feature two eyes in the middle as well as eyes on the sides. Some species have eight eyes, while others that live in caves have none. Body color also varies by subspecies; for example, striped bark scorpions in Texas and Arizona are yellowish-tan with broad black stripes on their flanks.

Scorpion adaptability allows them to enjoy many outdoor habitats, including rocky slopes, pine forests, and grasslands. However, they typically prefer the dry, hot climates in the American Southwest where they can hide under rocks and other debris.

The arachnids enter homes through ground-level windows, foundation cracks, and gaps around utility lines, though they can also crawl in purses and bags to gain entry. They typically stay under large kitchen appliances or hide in garages, basements, and crawl spaces.

Scorpion Venom

Scorpion venom is a neurotoxin used to incapacitate prey. And while getting stung by one is rarely serious, the affected area can become numb, red, swollen, warm, and painful.

Serious reactions to venom require professional attention and include breathing difficulties and vomiting. Bark scorpion stings pose the biggest threat to humans because they can be fatal to allergic individuals.

What To Do If You See One

If you see a bark scorpion in your Texas home, place a bucket or other container over the creature as long as there is no risk of getting stung. Contact your local pest control company immediately to remove the scorpion and inspect the premises for infestation.

The technicians will apply an insecticide and provide recommendations for keeping them out of your home, including eliminating indoor and outdoor debris piles, using caulk and weatherstripping to seal foundations, doors, and windows, and keeping plants at least two feet from the house. 
 

Rely on the pest control experts at All Service to eliminate scorpions in your home. The local company serving Seguin, San Marcos, and Schertz, TX, as well as the surrounding areas, offers pest removal and duct cleaning among other services to keep area homes safe and comfortable. Call (830) 626-2847 today to schedule an appointment and visit the website for your new customer coupon providing 10% off any service. Get additional pest control tips on Facebook.