The hardy scorpion has been around for millions of years, long before humans arrived and developed both a fear and fascination with these ominous hardy insects. With their trademark tail stinger scorpions will sting humans when threatened. Depending on the species, the bite can be dangerous to humans though scorpions found in North American are said to not pose the same risk as species found in other parts of the world. Humans with sensitivity to insect bites can be greater risk. Found mostly in dry climates like the American Southwest, scorpions can be found in colder climates.



Getting stung by a scorpion is said to be more accidental than intentional since the scorpion uses its imposing stinger primarily to immobilize its prey. Scorpions are arachnids, making them cousins of spiders, mites and ticks. On average, scorpions live anywhere from three to five years, though some species can live much longer.

Scorpions are said to be solitary creatures so it is probably rare that your home could become a home to large numbers of these scary-looking insects. If scorpions have decided to visit house on a regular basis this might mean that conditions exist around your home that invites them. Steps to controlling scorpions can involve some commonsense strategies that can discourage them. Scorpions like cool, damp places and usually avoid the heat of day time. They are more active at night when the temperature is more moderate. Colder evenings are not a favorite time for scorpions so they tend to be less active as the temperature drops below seventy degrees Fahrenheit.

Inside a structure, scorpions prefer to settle in places that are cool and quiet. Scorpions can get inside your house thorough openings as small as one-eight of an inch so sealing up small cracks and crevices around the base of your house is a good start to keeping them out in the first place. Caulking compounds and self-expanding foam products can usually do the trick and can be found at your local hardware or home improvement store along with advice on how to apply them.

There are several non-chemical methods you can use to control scorpions outside the house, keeping in mind where scorpions like to hang out. Seeking to avoid the heat of day usually drive scorpions to take shelter in cool damps places which can includes wood piles, under rocks, in mulch beds and trash piles. Even though that nice mulch you just laid down in your flower beds looks nice, it may become a welcome place for scorpions to hang out. Be sure to remove any leaves and other loose materials from the base of your home. Remove large ornamental rocks and think about replacing wood mulches with ornamental stone.

Keeping the soil around you house dry is key to making it less inviting to a scorpion. One way to accomplish this is to grow ornamental plants in pots rather than planted in the soil around your house. Watering potted plants helps keeps water away from the foundation. Check the condition of your gutters and downspouts to be sure rain water is being channeled away from the house. A dripping hose connection can be a source of moisture around the exterior of your home so it is a good idea to repair any leaks.

Scorpions can be trapped at night by hand using a fluorescent ultraviolet or black light. Make sure you wear gloves and never pickup the scorpion with your bare hands. Try using a pair of long-handled barbeque tongs to pick them up to keep from having to bend over. This trick will save your back and keep you from having to handle the scorpion with your hands.