If you’ve ever turned on a porch light in the Hill Country and spotted something with pincers and a segmented tail darting across the wall, you’ve already met one of Austin’s most unwelcome guests: scorpions. They pack a painful sting that can rival a bee sting and, for some people, lead to an allergic reaction or even anaphylactic shock.
Understanding how to manage them is about safety, especially for homeowners with pets or children. This guide helps every homeowner in Austin understand how to deal with scorpions.
Key Takeaways
- Scorpions are a regular problem in Central Texas, and some can cause painful stings or serious allergic reactions.
- Small gaps, moisture, and overgrown yards give scorpions places to hide, feed, and move freely around your home.
- Frequent sightings, baby scorpions indoors, or stings mean the infestation is serious and needs professional pest control support fast.
- Not every pest control company understands Austin’s scorpions, so find one that inspects thoroughly and communicates clearly.
Seal Entry Points That Blend Into Austin Homes
Scorpions are masters at slipping through gaps you barely notice.
In older Austin neighborhoods like Hyde Park or even newer builds in South Austin, small cracks and crevices around windows, vents, and siding are common.
Use high-grade caulk to close off these hidden routes. Pay close attention to where utility lines enter your home. They often go unchecked and become perfect access points for various types of scorpions.
Reinforce Doors With Weather Stripping That Lasts
Texas heat takes a toll on rubber seals. Check the weather stripping around your doors annually, especially on garage doors and patio sliders.
If it’s brittle or peeling, it’s time to replace it. Scorpions only need a gap the width of a credit card to get inside, and worn-out seals make that easier than ever.
Strong weather stripping is a first line of defense in keeping scorpions and even centipedes or termites out.
Manage Moisture in Crawl Spaces and Walls
While Austin isn’t known for swampy conditions, the occasional storms rolling through from San Antonio or the Gulf can create lingering damp spots in crawl spaces or behind walls. Scorpions, especially the Texas cave scorpion, seek out moist areas to stay cool and hydrated.
Use a dehumidifier or ensure proper drainage around your home’s perimeter to cut down on these welcoming environments.
Keep Your Yard Clear of Scorpion Hiding Spots
Native landscaping is popular here, but materials like flagstones, mulch, and stacked limestone can also create perfect hiding spots. Woodpiles, rock borders, and brush piles are also prime shelters for scorpions and the insects they feed on.
Keep firewood stored off the ground and at least 30 feet from your house. Trim back bushes and overgrown ivy, especially in shaded corners where scorpions might settle in undisturbed.
Reduce Food Sources Like Crickets and Ants
Scorpions are predators, and their favorite meals include insects like crickets, fire ants, and even tarantulas. If you’re seeing those bugs, scorpions aren’t far behind.
Integrated pest control that targets multiple pests, not just scorpions, will reduce their food supply and make your property less attractive to them.
Know the Signs You Need Professional Help
Sometimes, prevention measures aren’t enough, and the scorpions let you know it. Here are clear signs it’s time to bring in professional help:
Scorpions Are Appearing During the Day
Scorpions are nocturnal by nature.
If you’re spotting them in daylight, especially inside your home, that usually means their hiding spots are overcrowded, an indicator of a full-blown scorpion infestation. This can include multiple species, depending on your location in Central Texas.
You’ve Seen Baby Scorpions Indoors
Striped bark scorpions give live birth, often to dozens of tiny pale-yellow offspring.
If you’ve seen any, chances are you’ve got a breeding population nearby. DIY methods won’t be enough to get ahead of that kind of scorpion problem, especially when the young are already indoors.
You’ve Experienced a Painful Sting, Or Worse, a Reaction
While most scorpion stings feel like a sharp bee sting, some Austin homeowners report reactions ranging from swelling and dizziness to the need for medical attention.
A single sting is a clear sign that your current prevention measures aren’t holding up.
You Find Them in Surprising Places
Finding a scorpion in your shoe or bathtub is a red flag. These common scorpions are excellent climbers and will seek out dark, cool areas.
If they’ve reached your bedroom or bathroom, the infestation has moved well beyond the exterior walls. Shine an ultraviolet light in dark corners, under beds, or around baseboards to spot their glowing exoskeletons.
Identify the Right Pest Control Service Provider
Before hiring anyone to handle your scorpion problem, make sure they check all the right boxes. Here’s what matters most when choosing a professional exterminator in the Austin area:
Familiarity With Central Texas Scorpion Species
Not all exterminators are trained to deal with the kinds of scorpions found in this region.
You want a company that understands the behavior of species of scorpions like the striped bark scorpion and Texas cave scorpion, two of the most active in Central Texas.
Proper identification leads to more targeted, effective solutions.
A Thorough Inspection Process, Not Just Surface Sprays
Surface-level sprays don’t solve scorpion infestations. Look for a pest control company that conducts detailed inspections of wall voids, baseboards, attics, and crawl spaces where arachnids tend to nest.
Entry points need to be identified and treated to stop the cycle.
Stung or Startled? Here’s How Absolute Pest Management Can Help
Scorpion control in Austin takes more than a can of bug spray and good luck.
At Absolute Pest Management, we’ve spent years helping Texas homeowners deal with all kinds of scorpions and other pests that creep through cracks, crawl spaces, and dark corners. You deserve to feel safe at home.Reach out today for a free quote and let us help you take back control, without the sting.
