How to Get Rid of Scorpions

Scorpions are a huge pest problem if you live in the Southern United States. There are over 90 different species in the United States alone. If you live in a newer home on the outskirts of a larger-populated area, it’s likely you’ll encounter a scorpion.

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They are arachnids with 8 legs, 2 pincers, and a long tail with a stinger. They typically are only a few inches long and range in color depending on their species.

Although most scorpions aren’t poisonous, the Arizona bark scorpion has a venomous sting that could be potentially deadly. Thankfully, most scorpions try to avoid human interactions, and will flee if threatened. Regardless, try not to interact with scorpions as much as possible if you find one.

Scorpions are survivalists and can live for days without food or water. They eat other insects such as spiders, centipedes, and even other scorpions. They’re nocturnal insects that do most of their hunting at night. That means that there are a few likely things causing an infestation if you have one.

Excess Moisture

Scorpions can survive up to a week without water, but they still need it to survive. Inspect your home for any leaks and damp spots. Make sure to keep your home dry, especially in places that can build up moisture quickly such as:

• Bathrooms 
• Kitchens 
• Around plants and pet dishes
• Pools and pool houses
• Patios
• Crawl spaces
• Floors 
• Basements 
• Attics 

This is also where you may be attracting other pests such as cockroaches or ants. Scorpions look for excess moisture and water either because they need hydration or are looking for their next meal. You should also try to seal any cracks and openings throughout your home so other pests aren’t likely to come in. 

Dark Places

Because scorpions are nocturnal, they love to hide in dark places. Scorpions are generally more active at night, but you’re more likely to find one in places with dark corners and clutter. To stop scorpions from nesting around your home, be sure to:

• Store cardboard up high or on shelves
• De-clutter closets, storage areas, and underneath beds
• Organize shoes and coat closets
• Trim trees and other vegetation around home
• Clear sheds and pool houses
• Regularly inspect wood piles, rocks, mulch, and yard clippings

If you want to look for scorpions in these places, use a black light flashlight! It may reveal some nasty spots in your home, but they’re super helpful for looking for scorpions. The ultraviolet light will turn the exoskeleton of a scorpion bright blue. This will make them much easier to find in dark places. 

Killing Scorpions

It’s generally not recommended to try and kill a scorpion in case it is poisonous. Just because their first instinct is to run away, doesn’t mean they won’t sting. If you try to step on them or crush them, they will attack! If you need to remove a scorpion, use long-handled tweezers to pick them up and break their exoskeleton. If you kill one, seal it in a trash bag and dispose of it with the rest of your garbage. 

To create a protective barrier, spray the perimeter of your home with an insecticide. Apply this around foundation walls, windows, doors, and baseboards. To protect inside your home, use moisture-absorbing products like boric acid or essential oils. Scorpions have been known to particularly hate:

• Lavender
• Cinnamon
• Peppermint 
• Cedarwood

If you find that you’re continually having a scorpion problem, or are afraid of your scorpions being poisonous, call one of our partners at Pest Brigade.

They can ensure that all entry points are sealed off, and let you know what’s attracting them. A qualified expert can also point out any potential problem areas in your home that will attract both scorpions and other pests.