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Dealing With Scorpions in Your Houston Home
Admin • Jul 06, 2019
With summer temperatures comes an increased chance that a scorpion may decide that your home is a great place to hide. Scorpions are not uncommon in Houston, and they deliver a painful sting when surprised. Learn more about Houston's scorpions, the places they like to hide, the methods to avoid a sting, and the ways you can discourage them from moving into your home.
What Types of Scorpions Live in Houston?
While Texas is home to many species of scorpions, only one species is common in Houston: the striped bark scorpion. Unlike many other species of scorpion, this one does not prefer hot, dry environments. Instead, striped bark scorpions like to live in cool, wet, and dark areas. This species is also nocturnal, which means they are rarely active during the day.
What Attracts Scorpions to Homes?
Scorpions, in general, will seek shade during the hot day, especially the striped bark scorpion. These types of scorpions carry a lot of moisture in their bodies and will dry out with too much sunlight.
As a result, striped bark scorpions look for a quick and easy hiding space that both keeps them cool, yet protects them from their many predators. They seek out places with easy access to insects and areas where little activity exists from humans and pets at night.
Where Do Scorpions Hide?
Look for striped bark scorpions in moist, dark areas such as crevices and cracks around your home. They won't hesitate hiding in a woodpile or even using a tree branch or bush to enter into your attic or crawlspace.
These scorpions can even enter through your screens or under poorly insulated doors and find a dark cabinet or closet to hide during the day. Scorpions can even hide under beds, in closets, and even inside clothing.
How Can One Avoid a Sting?
Here are several steps you can take to keep yourself from getting stung should you find a scorpion inside your home.
• Scorpions are likely to sting when they are surprised, so be careful when reaching into or working around dark spaces.
• If you suspect a scorpion infestation, shake out any shoes, clothes, and linens before using them.
• Wear your shoes when walking around outdoors, especially around rocks and grass where they may hide.
• Wear gloves when doing yard work.
Striped bark scorpions deliver a painful sting, but it is rarely fatal unless you are sensitive to insect venom. If you are not allergic, treat the sting with ice to reduce the pain and swelling. If you have trouble breathing, or the pain lasts more than thirty minutes, then contact your doctor.
How Can You Keep Out Scorpions?
You can discourage scorpions from coming near your home by eliminating anything that attracts them. Discover some tips on discouraging them and protecting your home and family. These tips are not only good for scorpions but also many other small pests.
• Because scorpions primarily feast on insects, try to reduce their food supply around your home.
• Be kind to scorpion-killing spiders and other scorpion predators.
• Make sure you fill up any cracks and crevices that scorpions and other pests can utilize.
• Keep your vegetation trim and neat, and leave a gap between your home and the plants.
• Clear out brush piles and check your woodpile frequently.
Scorpions are beneficial and have their place in nature as a major insect predator. They do not typically want confrontation with humans and will likely avoid you. However, because these arachnids are able to sting and can show up unexpectedly, you will want to get them out of your home.
Southwest Exterminating
can help with any type of pest problem. Contact us for an appointment with a trained technician who can help eliminate your scorpion problem and help prevent a new one.
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