While scorpions don’t actually bite, they sometimes sting causing moderate pain and a burning sensation. Scorpions are actually arachnids and are closely related to spiders. There are several different kinds of scorpions but only centruroides have a potentially lethal sting.
There are approximately 30 species of scorpions that are native to different parts of the United States. While there are several different species, there is only one scorpion in the United States that has a sting which is capable of causing a possible reaction that may have deadly consequences. This is the Arizona bark scorpion. It is the only scorpion that is capable of causing a sometimes lethal reaction in people when they are stung.
There are some simple tips you can follow to avoid scorpions and thereby avoid their stings. These include using caution when camping or if you are involved in outdoor work or activities to make sure that a scorpion has not made a home or sought shelter in your clothes, shoes, sleeping bags or tents. Don’t walk around barefoot at night when scorpions are the most active. It is also important to remember that most scorpions are also relatively immune to the more common forms of pesticides and pose the greatest risk to very young children, older persons and pets.
Simple Tips to Avoid Scorpions
There are approximately 30 species of scorpions that are native to different parts of the United States. While there are several different species, there is only one scorpion in the United States that has a sting which is capable of causing a possible reaction that may have deadly consequences. This is the Arizona bark scorpion. It is the only scorpion that is capable of causing a sometimes lethal reaction in people when they are stung.
There are some simple tips you can follow to avoid scorpions and thereby avoid their stings. These include using caution when camping or if you are involved in outdoor work or activities to make sure that a scorpion has not made a home or sought shelter in your clothes, shoes, sleeping bags or tents. Don’t walk around barefoot at night when scorpions are the most active. It is also important to remember that most scorpions are also relatively immune to the more common forms of pesticides and pose the greatest risk to very young children, older persons and pets.
Simple Tips to Avoid Scorpions
1.) Seal and caulk door openings, screen openings and window cracks to prevent scorpions from entering your home.
2.) Regularly clean in places where scorpions may be hiding. Corners, attic spaces, and areas that aren’t cleaned on a normal basis can all be potential places for scorpions to hide.
3.) Scorpions normally prey on crickets, spiders, and other insects and by using common pesticides you may be able to eliminate their food source. This may discourage them from making a home in your house.
4.) Minimize the possible places outdoors where scorpions can hide. These include areas such as piles of rocks, dead wood or trash.
5.) Don’t walk around the house at night in your bare feet.
There is also a very informative article with more details available here:
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker
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16 comments:
As you noted,the best way to "get rid" of scorpion's is to kill off the food supply,cricket's,bug's and such.As far as I've heard,there is no pesticide for scorpion's.
On the bright side,there is a small group here in AZ that catch and sell them to the university to milk them for the venom,to make anti venom.Last I heard,they paid .50 cent's each!
Dean in Az
Don't forget to shake out your shoes before you put them on.
We have something in common for sure this Sunday morning RWalker and it's arachnid's. Check this out and am curious if you know or are familiar with other spiders that have similar traits.
To: Dean in AZ
By removing the food supply you can get rid of most common pests.
RW
To: Bitmap
Agreed! Always good to shake the boots and shoes out before putting them on!
RW
To: OneFly
I haven't posted about spiders yet but plan on some info on black widows and brown recluses...both of which are common in my area and I have been around rather extensively.
The jumping spiders are actually quite common in most areas(there are several hundred different types that are generally found in North America).
Jumping spiders are easily distinguished from other types of spiders by their four big eyes on their face and four smaller eyes on the top portion of their head.
RW
Thanks for that RWer!
To: OneFly
You're welcome!
Our work crews run across snakes, spiders, scorpions, chiggers etc. all the time. We also have to be prepared to administer basic first aid if they are bitten or stung.
RW
I haven't run across a scorpion out here in the desert yet, but tons of black widows and brown recluse spiders.
I've been stung before, on the one occasion I did not shake my boots out when at camp (yes Bitmpap!).
I rate the pain about what a yellow jacket sting is, not pleasant, but you won't be crying for Mom either. But definitely don't want to repeat the experience.
Another scary looking creature south Texas creature - Tarantulas. Big ole fuzzy spiders, they come out in April / May for migrations or something or other, I hate them too.
Once had one drop in my lap at camp, as it had apparently crawled on the porch ceiling and lost its footing. Man, talk about moving fast, I jumped out of the lawn chair and was behind it before that spider hit the ground, lol.
Thanks RW.
To: OffGridSurvival
The brown recluse spider is more dangerous than people think. Their bite causes extreme necrosis and needs immediate medical attention from a qualified health professional to help minimize tissue loss and damage.
The best way to find a scorpion is by walking around barefoot at night. Just kidding! Do not do this as it is unsafe.
RW
To:anonymous 6:01
My daughter was bitten by a scorpion while we were camping at Alabaster Caverns State Park in the Oklahoma panhandle. It was an experience she does not want to repeat.
BTW, tarantulas aren't spiders but are actually what is called hairy megalamorphs. Spiders have 8 legs and tarantulas have 10 legs (you did count the number of legs...right?).
RW
Tarantula's aren't that big of deal,as they are slow moving,and nearly blind.Having said that,having one drop on my lap would make me look like a sprinter!
Dean in az
Count the legs - you're kidding me right, lol. I had no idea they weren't true spiders. Megalamorphs you say - wow, you learn something every day - thanks for that.
Dean in AZ, those suckers do move slowly, but they can sprint pretty fast for about a foot - or maybe jump, I don't know, but they move fast. Do agree their normal speed is pretty slow. Once saw one of them silhouetted against the tent fabric one night walking up my dome tent - the slight scraping noise on the fabric woke me up. You can bet I made sure the net was good and tight - glad I had a .41 Magnum Blackhawk in case of trouble too, lol.
Just a note on insecticides...there are a couple that are good for scorpions. One is called Demon WP. A better, and less dangerous option is diatomaceous earth. It will get inside of the scorpions exoskeleton and literally cut it to death.
To: Steve
Great point about the diatomaceous earth for use in controlling scorpions! Safe for use around pets and family members but deadly for scorpions.A winning combination! Thanks for the tip!
RW
BTW, Do you think they would make good bait for fishing (i.e.,dead ones of course)?
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