Scorpion Factoids:
- The best time to hunt scorpions is in the dark! Using a black light, scorpions are easily spotted because their exoskeleton glows. Ultraviolet LED flashlights can be found for fewer than twenty dollars.
- Scorpions are common in newer homes especially in homes built on the outskirts of busy metropolitan areas.
- Scorpions can live up to 15 years but generally live three to six years in the wild.
- Scorpions do not gather in large groups or nest together. They prefer to stay under rocks and inside holes by themselves. If you happen to find several scorpions in one place, it is more likely a circumstance of limited nesting areas than colony formation.
- Scorpions cannot climb vertically on smooth glass.
- Scorpions are not hatched from eggs but are actually born live. Baby scorpions will live on their mothers back for weeks until mature enough to live on their own.
Scorpion Prevention Tips
Did you know that scorpions used to be several feet long? In 2005, a dig in Scotland found tracks from a water scorpion that is estimated to have been over five feet long! The tracks are from 330 million years ago when scorpions and other insects were much larger than today. Thankfully, most scorpions do not reach over a few inches in length.
Despite the size decrease, scorpions are still among the most feared pests in the world. Their menacing build and painful sting make them a common enemy for thousands of homeowners in the southern continental United States.
Scorpions are highly attracted to water and warmth. Eliminating possible entrances and all standing water will decrease the number of scorpions you encounter indoors. If you find a scorpion, be prudent and follow these tips to decrease the number of scorpions on your property.
- Seal any crevices around your home where a scorpion may be able to gain entry. Doors and windows are common entry points for scorpions.
- Inspect cabinets and closets. Scorpions hide in dark places during the day and journey during the night.
- Clear away all brush, debris and lumber piles around the perimeter of your home. Keep firewood at least 30 feet away.
- Repair any leaky air conditioners and other outside water sources.
- Eliminate crickets in and around your home. Crickets are one of their favorite foods so eliminating crickets, will help keep scorpions away.
If you need help getting rid of scorpions, crickets or other pests from your home, give HomeTeam Pest Defense a call at 855-855-4873.