Although Scorpions are typical desert dwellers, they do not like temperatures over 100°F, so when an opportunity presents itself, they will look to enter a home for water and shelter. They will likely be found in places like closets, seldom-used shoes, or folded clothing.
Arizona Bark Scorpions, whose sting can be fatal, are active well into Autumn and can easily get inside homes. Some things homeowners can do to help prevent scorpions include keeping their house clean, de-cluttering floors, keeping your home insect-free, eliminating hiding places like loose rocks, piles of leaves, trash, and other unnecessary debris, consistently trimming tree branches away from a home’s exterior, keeping bedding off the floor, and sealing all points of entry such as outdoor cracks and weather stripping such as surrounding doors & garage doors.
While D-I-Y steps help, professional pest control companies provide long-term peace of mind for when a scorpion infestation becomes out of control or concerning because of your children or pets coming in contact with them.
What the Arizona Bark Scorpion lacks in size, it unfortunately makes up for in terms of potency; they are normally 2-3 inches long, mostly active at night searching for prey hidden in the darkness, and their sting is potentially fatal, unlike most other scorpions.
Unlike most scorpion body types, the Arizona Bark Scorpion’s uniquely flat body allows this pest to gain entry into a home through an opening as small as 1/16th of an inch. With an adequate water supply, walls to keep the desert heat out, and plenty of potential insects inside, your home in Phoenix can suddenly become very inviting for an Arizona Bark Scorpion. The importance of keeping Arizona Bark Scorpions out of your home, knowing there are so many places they can hide, and knowing how fatal their bite can be, cannot be overstated.
Some of the places a homeowner may find a Scorpion lurking include their garbage, loose fitting shingles, organic matter in and around gardens and plant pots, under and around rock beds, old lumber, bricks, J-trim, decaying organic debris such as leaves and bark, stored boxes, shoes or soiled clothing, around light fixtures, wall voids and conduits, and insect-infested areas in an attic.
Most of these scorpions that enter homes are not poisonous, but if you are unsure, it is usually better to assume that they are poisonous. Of the estimated 1,400 species of scorpions, only about 20 to 25 can inflict potentially fatal stings. Scorpion stings are most serious in young children, older adults, and pets.
A scorpion sting is painful, similar to that of bees or wasps. A person who has been stung may feel a painful, tingling, burning or numbing sensation at the sting site. The sting usually causes discomfort that ranges from moderate to severe, depending upon the individual scorpion and the person’s reaction to the venom. An ice pack applied to the affected area will relieve some pain, and the symptoms should decrease over time. A person who is stung by a scorpion should be watched closely for adverse allergic reactions.
Therefore, a homeowner in Phoenix has a lot of reasons why they do not want a scorpion infestation in their home. Fortunately, when it comes to DIY possibilities, there are many things that a homeowner can do before having to call a pest control professional.
While D-I-Y can reduce the number of scorpions in your home, it rarely eliminates large infestations
Pest control professionals can identify unseen entry points like roof gaps and weep screeds, seal cracks and crevices around a window or door frame, cracks and openings around utility access points, as well as screening, soffits, and vents where scorpions may enter, eliminate moisture, and directly apply material to an area where scorpions may be present.
In short, scorpions are year-round threats in Phoenix, but Autumn is a critical prevention season. D-I-Y steps work, but ongoing infestations will require professional pest control service. Schedule a free scorpion inspection with Truly Nolen Pest Control today and keep your home safe, clean, and scorpion-free this Autumn - call (866) 549-1727 or visit us online to schedule your FREE pest inspection.