How to protect your home from scorpions this summer in Arizona
Picture this: you’re relaxing by the pool on a hotter-than-usual day. The kids are enjoying the cool water, everything is going well, and you stand up, put your sandals on, and walk across the backyard. All of a sudden, you feel a tingly, crawling sensation on the top of your foot. You kick off your shoes, only to see a scorpion scuttling away! That close encounter is all-too-common here in the Valley. Scorpions search for cool, hidden places to rest, oftentimes winding up inside your shoes—or worse—inside your home.
Longtime Arizonans have experience dealing with bark scorpions in their backyards and their homes. However, that doesn’t mean you should just accept scorpions as part of your daily routine! With the help of the professional team at KY-KO Pest Prevention, you can eliminate scorpions and keep your home protected year-round. Call us for a free scorpion inspection here in the Valley and protect your home from scorpions.
What kind of scorpions can you encounter?
In Arizona, there are 4 common types of scorpions. Here, we’ll explain each type and how you can tell them apart:
- Bark scorpion: This yellowish-tan creepy crawler is a common type of scorpion here in Arizona. Their sting is venomous and can result in swelling, muscle spasms, or other harmful side effects. You’ll need immediate medical attention if you or a loved one is stung. In a vast majority of cases, bark scorpion stings are not life-threatening.
- Stripetail scorpion: With a yellow color and visible stripes, this scorpion is the most common found in the Sonoran Desert. They’re usually less than 3 inches long, making them great hiders. They often live in rocky areas, but some have been known to find their way into homes.
- Giant hairy scorpion: This scorpion looks exactly as it sounds—large and covered in hair! These are the largest scorpions in the United States, and they’re most commonly found in our saguaro forests.
- Yellow ground scorpion: Similar to the bark scorpion, the yellow ground scorpion is yellowish-tan in color. This nocturnal insect is found in southeastern Arizona.
The more you know, the easier it will be to identify which scorpions are near your home. A pest control expert can also detect scorpions, find their hiding spots, and eradicate them. Many homeowners spend night-after-night combing their backyard and home perimeter with a blacklight, searching for bark scorpions. Even the ones they kill are only the tip of the iceberg if you have a scorpion problem. The only effective way to deal with scorpions is by making a phone call to KY-KO Pest Prevention for a free scorpion inspection.
Why scorpions love your home
Scorpions have acclimated to the hot, dry seasons of Arizona, but that doesn’t mean they always enjoy the heat. Scorpions search for cool, shady places of refuge to rest during the day, and hunting grounds at night. Like most creatures, they search for food, water, and safety, and they often find it in the shelter of your home. Scorpions are flexible and can slip in underneath door cracks or window openings. If you can see any light streaming in under your door, that means you have open cracks where scorpions can wiggle in through.
Bark scorpions are generally not aggressive—they lay low and prey on other smaller insects. However, when threatened, scorpions may try to sting. Most stings occur when a homeowner accidentally steps on or brushes up against a bark scorpion. If you see a scorpion in your home, don’t panic. Many Arizona homeowners have experienced the occasional scorpion. Just give KY-KO Pest Prevention a call, and we’ll inspect your home. If we find evidence of scorpion activity, we’ll review your options with you, which might include pest control treatment—mainly to cut down on the scorpion’s prey—and home sealing.
Scorpion hunting do’s and don’ts
Scorpion hunting is a common pastime for some Phoenix-area homeowners who are simply looking to see how many of these creatures are around their property. The exoskeleton of bark scorpions glows bright when exposed to a blacklight, allowing people to easily spot scorpions at night.
Scorpion hunting is not encouraged or supported as a proper pest control method—some Arizonans simply want to search and see for themselves. If you do decide to wander out at night in search of these pests, follow some of these tips:
|
DO |
DON’T |
| Wear protective shoes when walking at night, especially on rocky surfaces | Wander outside without a blacklight or flashlight of some kind |
| Wear safety glasses, gardening gloves, or other protective gear | Touch or handle scorpions for entertainment |
| Check the base of exterior walls around your home, as well as tree trunks, dryer and bath vents, and interior walls or tubs | Invite small children or toddlers outdoors when searching for scorpions |
| Eliminate scorpions as needed, using the proper tools or pest sprays | Exterminate a scorpion by stepping on it with bare feet |
| Call our pest control professionals for more permanent and effective scorpion treatment | Attempt DIY solutions or solely rely on scorpion traps to do the work of a professional |
Say goodbye to pests!
KY-KO Pest Prevention has certified technicians who are skilled in pest and scorpion removal. We can inspect your home and yard, offer solutions, and provide top-of-the-line services for your and your family. Especially during these high-temperature months, you’ll want a team you can trust. Enjoy your time by the pool without worrying about pest invasions. Say goodbye to pests when you say hello to KY-KO!
If you have been seeing scorpions around your home or property, call us for a free scorpion inspection.