I was once known as the “Scorpion Queen”. When I moved to Arizona 7 years ago, I killed over 90 scorpions in my Tempe home in a year.
The night I moved in I saw the first one under the sink in my master bedroom. Being the Midwestern girl that I am…I thought it was a centipede as I chased it around with a tissue. UNTIL…it stopped and raised its tail in classic scorpion fashion. What did I do then? Screamed like a 3 year old of course. My 77 year old father came running to rescue me by swatting at the scorpion with his foam slipper (I finally squashed it with a hammer).
A year and a half later I was a self-professed expert.
Where do scorpions live in the valley? Hmm.. everywhere. Do I have them in my new house now? No.
There are things you should know that can help you buy a scorpion-free home, but remember…no guarantees… They were here first and have been here longer than dinosaurs.
First, know that the Bark scorpion that lives in the valley likes wet and shady places (so why do they live in the desert? Dumb scorpion.) so they especially like the underground irrigation lines that are typical in citrus orchards. Developers have taken over many of the old orchards in the valley and built homes there so it’s not surprising to note that those communities have a higher scorpion population.
However, just because your neighbor has scorpions doesn’t mean you will and vice versa. Scorpions are territorial and don’t like to leave an area if they’re comfortable.
Because scorpions like damp places, there is usually a higher population in grassy damp areas like golf courses fairways. But, just to confuse us, they also like dry rocky areas like mountain preserves. So homes bordering those areas are more likely to include a scorpion or two with that lot premium.
And while we’re talking about a scorpion or two, I’ve found they usually travel in pairs(isn’t that romantic?). If you see one…keep looking.
So how do you know if a home has scorpions before you buy it? Well you can’t for sure. Seller’s do have an obligation to disclose whether they’ve ever seen a scorpion in their house or yard and this will be found on the Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement. But just because they have an obligation to disclose, doesn’t mean they will.
Your Realtor can be very helpful especially if specializing in a certain area, he or she will sometime have a knowledge of the areas where scorpions have shown their tails. But again, a Realtor isn’t an expert on all communities, and just because your neighbor has them doesn’t mean you will.
What do you do if you see a scorpion in the house you just purchased? After you stop screaming, relax. There are ways to help reduce the population. First get an Arizona Fly Swatter (that’s a hammer) for every room. Don’t laugh…it works.
Then, get rid of the scorpion’s food supply~ Crickets, Roaches & Spiders. A good pest control company can help there.
If you like cats, get one and whatever you do, don’t declaw it. Cats are a natural predator of scorpions. They kill them with their claws. Oh…Chickens too. They love to eat scorpions. Having a chicken in the city could be a problem with zoning though, so best to find out first.
Another trick is diatonaceous earth. This is the powder you put in pool filters. It’s said to be effective keeping scorpions out of your house if you put a trail of the powder at entry points to your home (doorways & windows sills mostly). The powder is composed of glass-like particles which slice open the soft belly of the scorpion when it crawls across it. Nice.
You will be told that scorpions are impervious to residual insecticides…however a couple that come highly recommended are Cykick Bug Spray & Delta Eight Granules.
Consider having your home professionally sealed (note~ this is different than hermetically sealed). Many pest control companies offer this service where they seal all possible scorpion entry points. It’s not cheap, but it does work.
Last but not least…because this can be fun. Get a black light and an Arizona Fly Swatter and scour your home and yard after dark. Scorpions glow yellow-green under a black light. Whack-A-Scorp. Yes, good times.
I’m happy to say I’ve never been stung by a scorpion. I’ve heard the sting is pretty miserable but they are not usually life threatening unless you are allergic, have a compromised immune system, or are under 10 years old or elderly. Take comfort that Arizona does have antivenin and no one has died from a scorpion sting in over 40 years. So if you get stung get emergency treatment to make sure you’re ok. You probably are.
Final note. I had a client who bought a home in the foothills of Ahwatukee..backing to the preserve. He got stung on the butt sitting on the toilet. Apparently the scorpion was hiding under the seat. So ladies, maybe it’s best if he does leave the toilet seat up.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I was stung four times by the same Bark Scorpion. Sitting at a drive through dry cleaner, while I was handing my clothes to the young lady, I felt a sharp needle like pain in my left inner thigh, then another (picture me trying to get a seat belt off simultaneously), and another and another.
I jumped (flew?) out of the car, shook my shorts vigorously, and out he dropped.
I scooped him up in an envelope, not knowing if like snake bites, there might be anti-venom specific to each species of scorpion.
I immediately began shaking, though to this day, I could not tell you if it was from an inner fear of knowing what happened or from the venom.
I asked one of the kids at the drive in to take me to a nearby “Urgent Clinic”. They sat me down, and after determining I did not seem to be allergic, got a yellow pages book and called the Poison Control Center.
They put me on the phone, and said there was really nothing to do as long as I showed no allergic reactions.
I drove home and tried not to focus on the pain. It was extraordinary. It is not like a “bee sting”. Much more powerful. I couldn’t work or even focus on work that day or the next, but by day three, though still in pain, it was quite manageable.
The poison control people called me about every other hour around the clock for the first 24 hours. Good people, very good people!
It was after this that I read everything I could about the critters. One thing I remember coming across is that the Bark Scorpion is the only US scorpion that can walk/climb vertically, so if you find one anywhere “up”, it’s a Bark.
He is also our worst scorpion (out of 31 species if I remember right) in terms of toxin, but Amy is correct, though painful they are not deadly.
I bought a powerful black light, and found out just how much they luminance. Wow, they light up like a Christmas tree, except they are a yellowish color.
Unlike Amy, I relocate them respecting that they have been here for millions of years. My wife however uses a hammer. We live in Ahwatukee, against the preserve and scorpions like the coyotes and owls and occasional javalenas all play their part in the great southwest.
Wow, Philip! Congrats on surviving 4 stings! I commend you for respecting the scorpion and relocating them. You’re like a scorpion realtor! I relocated all of my scorpions too…right to the garbage can. I think your wife has the right idea. Thanks for sharing!
Is there anywhere in Arizona that is scorpion free? I am thinking of buying a home there but the scorpions are blocking me.
Hi Joyce,
You know there are scorpions in the desert, but that doesn’t mean all homes have them. Your neighbor might have them and you won’t and vice versa. I live in Sun Lakes and I have never seen a scorpion on my property, but I do know some neighbors around the golf course that have seen a few.
You’re not likely to find scorpions in the higher elevations where you have the 4 seasons, but the desert is the scorpions preferred habitat. They especially like the mountain reserve areas and communities that are built on former citrus orchards (where they like to live in the underground irrigation lines). And, they like damp grassy areas and certain types of palm trees. A qualified Realtor can help you identify potential scorpion issues when you’re looking at homes. Additionally, Scorpions are a disclosure issue. If a seller has scorpions they must disclose that in the Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement.
I know they sound scary, but don’t let the fear of scorpions deter you from relocating to the area.
Remember that Scorpions are rarely deadly (unless you have an allergic reaction or decreased immune system…so I’m told).
Remember, if you live in Arizona, at least you don’t have to worry about hurricanes, tornadoes, earth quakes, floods, or masses of mosquitos!
Hi Amy and thank you for responding, unfortuantly I have a low immune system so I will have to research the higher elevation area’s.
I have seen pictures of Arizona and it is very very beautiful there hopefully in about two years I will be there maybe less, in the meantime i’m doing research on it.
Thank you
I have found two scorpions in my house. First, what is the best way to get rid of them and second is there something I can do to prevent getting them?
Hi Jenny,
This time of year especially, scorpions are coming inside to look for water. The #1 thing you can do is remove the scorpions food supply…yummy crickets, so make sure you treat your property regularly for these.
You can also do a black light search around your home after dark (you can find black light flashlights at a hardware store). Scorpions like to hide in crevices of block walls, and under the weep screen (where your stucco meets the stem wall of your home..down near the bottom of the outside wall). Take your Arizona flyswatter (a hammer) and when you see the green glow in the black light…smash those little buggers.
There is a chemical you can find online or at Bug and Weed Mart in the Valley. It’s call “Suspend”. I hear it works really well too.
If you notice any more scorpions, inside I would recommend sealing your home (all the cracks and crevices, around pipes, doors, windows etc). There are companies that will do this for a fee or you can do it yourself.
Good luck and make sure you check your shoes before you put them on!
It figures that I just got notice of approval on my dream house in Gilbert, and now that I have the disclosure…what’s on it? SCORPIONS!
Of course the disclosure doesn’t give much info, they really don’t have to give any, so now I’m researching. It seems that these pests once in your yard/house are almost impossible to get rid of unless you want a dozen or more chickens running around. I don’t even like ants in my house, I won’t be able to deal with scorpions. My dream house has a beautifully landscaped backyard – including Palm Trees – I heard Scorpions love them, great. My excitement of this move and house has turned into fear of living with scorpions. Which is true? You CAN rid your yard and house of them permanently or you WILL have to learn to live with them forever, checking each night with black lights, running around with a hammer…ugg doesn’t sound like fun.
-T
Hi T~
I have heard of homeowners who have rid their homes of scorpions by taking many of the actions in my post. The people who live in the home I had with the scorpion problem, now are scorpion free…so it is possible.
Sealing the home and ridding it of the scorpion’s food supply (Crickets) are the best moves you can make. There are also chemicals that are helpful…Check out Bug and Weed Mart for those. Do you like cats? Cats are also the natural predator of scorpions…have to leave their claws on them though as that’s how they kill the scorpion.
Good luck!!
Hi Janice~
I’m really not sure. I know we have them in Arizona.
We moved to our current home 3 years ago and the previous owner failed to mention the problem of scorpions on the property. In fact, they specifically said “NO” on the Seller’s Disclosure question that asked if they’d seen scorpions on the property. We live off Cooper/Elliot in Summer Meadows and the first night we moved in, we saw two scorpions on the driveway. Our neighbors also have them, but apparently not nearly as bad as we do. Three years later, they are worse than ever. We’ve tried lots of things – we paid $900 for the home seal, monthly pest control on top of Cy-Kick spray/granules from Bug/Weed Mart on our own to double up the spray. We don’t keep any debris lying around the house, glue boards all over the garage and inside the house, and we have two cats. Unfortunately every year they’ve gotten worse. Just this week alone, one fell into the tub from the clean-out drain when my husband was getting the bath ready for our 20 month old. Saw another one last night on the carpet outside of the baby’s room and this morning I found a tiny one smaller than my pinky nail on our master bedroom wall. We find them everywhere – mostly babies – throughout the house, alive and healthy, yet when we go outside at night with a black light, we only find one or two. It’s horrible living in fear, due to the fact they could be dangerous for our 20 month old and 8 year old. Your home should be your sanctuary, but instead ours is a place where we’re never comfortable, always shaking everything, watching every step we take. Whether using the restroom or wanting to curl up on the couch to relax, you have to spend a few minutes shaking everything out first. The worst part is, we’re over $100k upside down in the home and can’t move if we wanted to. And because we’re honest, we wouldn’t feel comfortable lying on the disclosure report like our sellers did – but who on earth would want to buy a home infested with baby scorpions??? I hear lots of people saying they take the above steps and never see them again…unfortunately that hasn’t been our experience. Our guess is they’re in our walls and attic and continue to mate so we continue to see them everywhere inside. The home seal worked…they’re sealed inside. Fun times.
Oh Theresa…that sound horrible. Sounds like a scorpion had babies in your house…and the babies are the worst. I wish I had something more I could tell you. The cat (declawed) is a natural predator of the scorpion and so are chickens. I’m guessing the chickens aren’t an option.
So many things to respond too. I saw your other blog and posted there, so I’ll do the same here.
4 Principles of Scorpion Control
-Alter the structure so that it is not accessible (home sealing)
-Alter the environment so that it is not hospitable
-Black Light Collection
-Chemical Controls that target the scorpions.
These are also in order of importance. The more you implement the greater your level of control.
Scorpions are capable of going 6-12 months without feeding, if you are going to try and starve them to death or to leaving, you will be disappointed. As for what materials work best, unless you are going to invest in hundreds of dollars in the equipment to apply it, leave that for the professionals. But micro-encapsulated and wettable powders are the “best” of the sprays. Synthetic dusts are the most effective. DE, not as good as advertised as it takes 4-10 days to kill a scorpion from exposure. And do not use pool grade DE, it is potentially carcinogenic. Only use DE that is labeled for pest control to ensure that is properly refined.
Cats and chickens… Cats are great predators, but we have domesticated them so not all cats have good instincts. Contrary to what is believed, cats are not immune to scorpion venom, they are just that agile in not getting stung. Chickens are not reliable because they are diurnal and scorpions nocturnal, so there isn’t much time for them to be out and about at the same time. (side note: every home that I have done black light inspections on that had a chicken coop, the majority of the scorpions where in the coop)
And the smaller scorpion being more dangerous is heresay and not based in fact. Check UoA’s cooperative extension for confirmation.
Theresa, not all professional scorpion management is created equal, there are many outfits willing to accept your money and are incapable of performing as consumers expect. If all they do is spray, they are doing it wrong. As for what you are spraying, most homeowners, when they go to the bug weed mart under and over apply at the same time. (it is possible).
Also, I would have your seal reinspected because I don’t believe it is performing to standards. Likewise did they seal the eaves? Many companies do not and because the bark scorpion is such an excellent climber they are able to access the home via the roof line. AS for the scorpion in the tub… the space under the tub is only accessible via the walls which leads me to believe your seal is not as good as advertised. I will leave it up to Amy, but if she wants to forward my info onto you she can. Advice is free, and if you time check out my blog it has some articles that everyone here would find useful. Blog.Lightsoutexterminating.com
In late July I was finding small scorpions in the house (a first after having moved in 4 years ago). I organized my upcoming departure for vacation with setting off 5 bug bombs as I left the house. Warning: The gas MUST be shut off BEFORE releasing the bug bombs. I called Southwest Gas to notify them I had turned off the gas and they agreed to turn re-light the pilots upon my return (no charge).
Upon my return a month later, 5 dead scorpions were in the kitchen! In the next two weeks I found 6 more dead ones early in the day. They had not been there the night before. Since then I’ve discovered 4 alive (less than 1/2″ babies) in the master bathroom tub, and today I found one 1″ live one in the master water closet and a VERY active 2 1/2″ one in the guest bathroom.
The good new is that the bug bombs worked beautifully, but the bad news is that I obviously have an infestation which will be brought under control this weekend. I’m gong to war; borrowing my neighbor’s black light, visiting the Bug & Weed Mart and arming myself with an Arizona Flyswatter. In the future I would use the bug bombs when I’ll be away more than a few days and can find someone who will care for my pets at their home until it’s safe to re-enter.
I’m certain my desert landscaping creates an ideal environment for them. I won’t change my landscaping, but I will make it increasingly challenging for them to stay – alive!
Hi KT~
Thanks for the comment. I never knew bug bombs would work on Scorpions. Good to hear and thanks so much for sharing!