What are scorpions?
Scorpions are a type of arachnid; like all arachnids, they have eight legs. They have a segmented tail that curves up over their back, and the last segment of their tail has a stinger attached that they use to capture prey or to defend themselves. Because of their venom-filled tails, no homeowner wants to discover living in their yard or home. Scorpions are predators and feed on a variety of prey, including insects, spiders, other scorpions, and even lizards. A unique fact about scorpions is that they give birth to live young (average litter size is about 31). After being born, they climb onto their mother’s back until they have their first molt and then become independent.
One of the most common species of scorpion living throughout Nebraska is the striped bark scorpion (Centruroides vittatus). These scorpions have a yellow or tan body with two wide, black stripes on the top of their abdomens. Striped bark scorpions have long, slender, claw-like structures they use to capture and hold onto their prey.
Are scorpions dangerous?
Scorpions are poisonous and can be a health risk to people. Worldwide, there are about 1,500 species, and of those, only about 25 species pose significant dangers to people. You should always be careful around scorpions, including the striped bark scorpion. Depending on the sensitivity of a person, a sting could result in pain and localized swelling or a severe reaction that requires medical attention.
Why do I have a scorpion problem?
Striped bark scorpions are active foragers, which means they don’t wait for their prey to come to them; they actively hunt down their prey. Properties with a lot of insect and spider activity are often attractive to scorpions.
Scorpions, like any other creature, need water for survival, and they prefer to live in cool, damp areas. When the weather outside becomes too hot and dry, scorpions often move indoors to get out of the heat.
These unwanted house guests sometimes hitchhike their way into our home inside of boxes, on outdoor furniture, potted plants, or firewood.
Where will I find scorpions?
Scorpions are mainly outdoor pests that live in sheltered areas that keep them hidden during the day. Scorpions become active at night, hunting for food. Spaces under rocks, logs, firewood piles, and fallen trees are common hideouts for scorpions. They can also be found in flower beds or gardens hidden under dense vegetation or mulch. Many species, including the striped bark scorpion, are excellent climbers, and you’ll find them on trees and on walls both inside and outside of our homes.
Scorpions move into homes through gaps in exterior walls, open windows or doors, or by following wires, cables, or phone lines entering a home. Inside, they like to hide within the quiet areas of the house. Basements and crawl spaces make excellent hiding spots for scorpions. They also like hanging around sinks and tubs in bathrooms and sometimes hide out in folded towels. If you have an extra bedroom, scorpions may decide to take up residence in its closet spaces or under bedding.
How do I get rid of scorpions?
Get rid of scorpions from your residential or commercial property with the help of the local experts at All Star Pest Control. We will eliminate scorpions and other pests from your home or business and provide the follow-up services needed to prevent them from returning. We work closely with our customers to ensure that we meet all their pest control needs.
All Star Pest Control offers exceptional pest control services, using the most modern technology and products available. If you are ready to protect your Omaha, Nebraska home or business from pests, reach out to All Star Pest Control today. Our results are guaranteed!
How can I prevent scorpions in the future?
The best way to prevent future problems with scorpions is to partner with the professionals at All Star Pest Control. It is also important to implement the following prevention tips:
- Shake out towels before using them.
- Before getting into bed, make sure to look under blankets and sheets to check for hiding scorpions.
- Fix leaky pipes, ventilate crawl spaces, use dehumidifiers, and wipe down extra moisture from sinks and bathtubs.
- Reduce areas of clutter in the storage areas of your home to give scorpions fewer spaces to hide.
- Be diligent about inspecting the exterior of your home, repairing any openings you find.
- Seal spaces around wires and pipes entering into your house.
- Repair damaged window or door screens.