Scorpion Control: Protect Your Home or Business
Facts
- Only a few types of scorpions are poisonous, though none native to the Mid-Atlantic. Nonetheless,
their sting is painful and can cause issues for those who are allergic. Not mention they are scary to see! You may want to know are scorpions poisonous but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if the answer is no. You want to know how to get rid of scorpions! - Scorpions glow blue-green under ultraviolet lights thanks to a special substance in their exoskeletons. Cool fact but still don’t want them in your home or business.
- There are over 70 species of scorpions throughout the United States. However, they rarely venture north of Virginia.
Appearance
Depending on the species, scorpions measure anywhere from one-half to eight inches in length. Their coloring varies in shades of brown, black, or yellow. This pest has a broad, flattened body and a narrow, spiked tail with a stinger at the tip. How many legs does a scorpion have? A scorpion also has four sets of legs and two crab-like pincers.
Scorpions don’t lay eggs, but they do give birth to live young. The mother carries the babies on her back until they can hunt on their own. Juveniles look like smaller versions of adults, but usually lighter in color. They shed their skins multiple times until fully mature.
How Do Scorpions Get Inside Buildings?
Though uncommon, scorpions sometimes enter human structures to escape the cold or rainy weather. They will squeeze through gaps in windows, cracks in foundations, and especially openings around plumbing fixtures. They may also seek shelter in piles of wood, pipes, or other hollow hiding places.
Additionally, they sometimes wander into lumber yards or shipping warehouses. Most scorpions prefer warm, dry environments, though some species live in the tropics. Companies located in the south, near deserts, or forested areas might unknowingly pack this pest into cargo and ship them to customers.
Are Scorpions Arachnids?
An arachnid is a form of an arthropod – an invertebrate animal with jointed legs and an exoskeleton. Other arachnids include spiders, ticks, and mites. Unlike insects that have six legs, arachnids have a total of eight legs and do not have wings or antennae. Now you know the answer to how many legs does a scorpion have, too.
To be considered an arachnid, an animal must have two additional pairs of appendages: the chelicerae and the pedipalps. The chelicerae are the sharp mouthparts, and the pedipalps are the claws we see on scorpions. Additionally, the body of an arachnid is segmented into the prosoma (the head and thorax), and the opisthosoma (the abdomen), which is also the body structure of a scorpion. Much like spiders, the answer to is a scorpion an insect is “no!”
Signs of Scorpion Infestation
Scorpions don’t nest in or infest buildings, preferring to stay outdoors instead. However, they still get into homes, lawns, and businesses, so it’s important to know where to look.
- Nighttime – These arachnids are nocturnal, so you’re most likely to see a scorpion scurrying across the floors or walls searching for prey at night.
- Hiding – Sensitive to the sun, scorpions typically hide in dark enclosed spaces like closets, behind appliances, and even in your shoes.
- Glowing – If you suspect that you have scorpions, you can use a black light to scan the area for their fluorescent bodies.
- Debris – Scorpions often reside in firewood, stone piles, and mulch, so always wear gloves when moving these materials.
Are Scorpions Dangerous
A scorpion’s main defense is its sting. While few species pose life-threatening issues to humans, their stings are still quite painful. People and pets who experience an attack may feel a sharp pain, followed by a burning sensation. Other common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, itching, and swelling.
Employees who work outside in industries like landscaping, farming, logging, or construction run a higher risk of encountering scorpions. If a worker gets stung, it can result in the loss of valuable time and costly medical bills. You should dress in protective clothing to avoid injury.
Prevention Tips
Tiny and quick, scorpions can easily enter structures undetected. Make sure to secure any windows, doors, or vents. You should also remove any objects where they could hide, and seal gaps around pipes.