If you’ve ever turned on the bathroom light at night and found a scorpion on the floor, you’re not alone.
Scorpions often come indoors because homes provide food, water, and shelter, everything they’re looking for. Indoor sightings are prevalent in hot, dry cities like Tucson, Las Vegas, and even right here in Austin.
Whether you’re dealing with a single scorpion or suspect a full-on scorpion infestation, it’s essential to understand the risks and how to respond. Let’s get into it.
Key Takeaways
- Scorpions enter homes looking for shelter, moisture, and food sources like crickets and cockroaches.
- Entry points like wall voids, door gaps, and poorly sealed windows make it easy for them to slip in.
- Arizona bark scorpions are the most venomous species in the U.S. and often cause severe reactions.
- Caulk, weather stripping, and professional pest control services can help keep scorpions out.
Why Scorpions Come Inside
Scorpions are nocturnal arachnids that typically live outdoors, but extreme conditions can drive them indoors. That’s especially true in hot, dry areas like Tucson or Las Vegas. During droughts or intense heat, they seek out basements, wall voids, and other cool, dark hiding spots.
If you have insects like cockroaches or crickets, you may unknowingly attract scorpions. These critters are ideal food sources, and scorpions will follow the trail.
How Scorpions Get Inside
Most scorpions sneak into homes through tiny crevices. Entry points are often around doors, windows, plumbing lines, and even attic vents. If you’re not using weather stripping or sealing cracks with caulk, you’re making it easy for them to get inside.
Common entry points include:
- Gaps under doors
- Cracks in the siding or foundation
- Plumbing and utility line openings
- Rooflines and attic vents
- Wall voids and ceiling crevices
Keeping up with home maintenance can help reduce your scorpion problem before it starts.
Signs of a Scorpion Infestation
Seeing one scorpion might not seem like a big deal, but it could signal a larger issue. Here’s what to look out for:
- Scorpions spotted near baseboards or bathtubs
- Shed exoskeletons (from molting)
- Multiple sightings in a short period
- Increased activity from other critters like centipedes or cockroaches
If you notice these signs, it’s best to reach out to scorpion control experts or exterminators for an inspection.
Are Scorpion Stings Dangerous?
Most scorpions won’t bother you unless provoked, but the sting can still pack a punch. For most people, scorpion stings cause localized pain, swelling, and numbness. However, the Arizona bark scorpion, common in parts of Arizona and increasingly spotted in homes, can cause more severe symptoms, especially in kids and pets.
Symptoms may include:
- Muscle twitching
- Difficulty breathing
- Numbness spreading beyond the sting site
Seek medical attention right away if you experience more than minor swelling or discomfort.
How to Get Rid of Scorpions
When it comes to getting rid of scorpions, you need a two-pronged approach: prevention and pest control. Here’s how it works:
Seal Entry Points
Take these steps to block standard scorpion entryways:
- Replacing old weather stripping around doors and windows
- Using caulk to fill cracks in siding and foundation
- Closing off wall voids and plumbing access points
- Installing screens over attic vents and crawlspaces
Eliminate Food Sources
Scorpions hunt other insects. If you reduce the insects around your home, you make your space less appealing.
- Keep kitchens and pantries clean
- Fix leaks to remove water sources
- Use sticky traps for crickets or cockroaches
Maintain Landscaping
Scorpions hide in wood piles, under rocks, and around heavy vegetation.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet from the house
- Keep mulch and decorative rocks away from your foundation
- Trim back bushes and overgrowth
Use a Black Light for Detection
Scorpions glow under UV light. Walking around your property at night with a black light can help you spot and track them.
When to Call Professional Pest Control
DIY efforts only go so far. If you keep seeing scorpions despite your best efforts, it’s time for professional pest control.
Absolute Pest Management offers scorpion control services tailored for Austin-area homes. Whether you’re seeing one in your basement or have a full scorpion infestation, our trained exterminators will assess the problem, locate hiding spots, and create a custom treatment plan.
Our scorpion control methods go beyond just surface treatments; we address food sources, entry points, and long-term prevention. And if you’re also dealing with termites or other pests, we’ve got you covered there, too.
You can request a free quote anytime to learn more about our scorpion control and pest control services.
FAQs
What time of year are scorpions most active indoors?
Scorpions become more active in spring and summer, especially in dry or hot regions like Arizona and Texas. That’s when they’re more likely to enter homes in search of cooler hiding spots.
How do I keep scorpions from entering my home?
Seal entry points with caulk and weather stripping, clear out wood piles and dense landscaping, and eliminate food sources like cockroaches and crickets. Professional pest control helps with long-term prevention.
Do I need scorpion pest control if I only see one?
Yes. Even a single scorpion may be a sign of others hiding nearby. Getting an inspection can help find entry points and food sources before an infestation starts, especially in high-risk areas like Tucson or Las Vegas.
