Other than spiders, scorpions are one of the most feared pests in Las Vegas, Nevada. They are actually rather closely related as scorpions are also arachnids, and known for their big venomous stinger. Scorpions are a fairly common pest in the Las Vegas area because of our warm climate.
There are around 2,000 different species of scorpion found throughout the world. Luckily, there are only a few common in Las Vegas, and most of those aren’t particularly dangerous.
However, there are risks to being stung by a scorpion, and they can be terrifying to encounter around your home or business. Because of this, it’s important to know how to identify and prevent these pests.
Common Scorpions In Las Vegas
Getting stung by a scorpion can be painful, but two of the most common species around, the emperor scorpion and the desert hairy scorpion, aren’t very dangerous. The only species you really need to worry about is the bark scorpion, as this is the most venomous North American scorpion.
Here is a brief guide to what each species looks like:
- Emperor Scorpions: These scorpions are a shiny, black color and get to be about eight inches long. They aren’t known to sting very often.
- Desert Hairy Scorpions: This species gets to be about six inches long and is tan to olive green in color. They have hairy tails and prefer dry, desert climates where they hide in crevices or plants in shade from the sun.
- Striped Bark Scorpions: These dangerous scorpions are tan to yellow and only around three inches long. Their tails often curl to their sides, and they prefer cooler, moist environments. Because of this, they’re often found under bark or rocks. Inside, they usually get into bathtubs or around sinks.
What Should You Do If You Are Stung?
It can be difficult to identify how concerned about a scorpion sting you should be unless you see the scorpion who stung you. If you’re bitten in your sleep or can’t find the source of the bite, it can be easy to mistake stings for other bug bites. However, there are some symptoms of scorpion bites you can look out for, including:
- Pain, redness, and heat around the site of the sting
- Numbness around mark
- Swelling or tingling
It’s also always better to err on the side of caution, so if you suspect you’ve been stung, especially by a striped bark scorpion, contact a healthcare professional right away.
Seven Scorpion Prevention Steps
While scorpions can be difficult to completely keep away, there are some measures you can take around your Las Vegas home or business to deter them. By addressing the underlying factors that attract scorpions in the first place, you can make your property less appealing to these difficult arachnids. Here are seven of the most effective prevention tips:
- Make it more difficult for scorpions to come inside by sealing up cracks in the walls and foundation using caulk and foam.
- Remove brush, debris, and woodpiles away from the exterior of the building.
- Address underlying pest problems that could attract scorpions by covering trash cans with lids and keeping kitchen areas clean of food crumbs and spills.
- Install weather stripping and door sweeps.
- Keep garages, basements, and sheds clear of clutter and well-organized. Also, remove cardboard boxes where scorpions often hide.
- Reduce excess humidity by fixing leaky plumbing and using dehumidifiers.
- Cut branches away from the exterior of your building.
What’s The Easiest Way To Remove Scorpions?
If you’ve already seen scorpions around your Las Vegas property, the simplest and safest, way to get rid of them is with help from the experts at Anderson Pest Control. We are a locally owned company offering comprehensive pest control plans.
We even make it simple to get started by offering free quotes. Give us a call today to learn more and schedule an appointment.