Scorpion Identification & Prevention

What are scorpions?

Scorpions are one group of the many pests that thrive in the desert climate that Nevada provides. A type of arachnid, the scorpion has eight legs, large intimidating claws, and a curved, segmented tail with a stinger at its end. These predators hunt a variety of things, including spiders, insects, and other scorpions.

An interesting fact about these creatures is that unlike other arachnids, scorpions give birth to live young and carry them on their backs for 10 to 20 days (until their exoskeletons become hardened).

There are three different types of scorpions in the Las Vegas area that property owners need to worry about:

• Arizona bark scorpion
• Desert hairy scorpion
• Stripe-tailed scorpion

Are scorpions dangerous?

Like stings delivered by other stinging insects, being stung by a scorpion is something that no one enjoys. Their stings are painful, and the venom they inject is potent enough to cause serious reactions in those allergic. While a scorpion bite typically isn't fatal, it should be managed by a medical professional. A scorpion sting can cause pain and swelling around the bite site, shortness of breath, vomiting, and chest pain.

Keeping scorpions out of your yard and home is important in order to protect your family and pets from their powerful stings.

Why do I have a scorpion problem?

The two biggest reasons scorpions are on your property are pest activity and moisture.

Despite being a pest that thrives in the desert, scorpions have high moisture needs, and the water our properties provide them is essential to their survival. Things like leaky pipes, overwatered landscaping, dripping air conditioners, and damp crawl spaces attract scorpions.

Like other predatory animals, scorpions want to be where there is prey to hunt. Properties with a lot of insect and spider activity are where scorpions wish to be. Things like gardens, tall grass, trees, open containers of trash, and standing water, are typical insect habitats. The more pest activity you have on your property or in your home, the more likely scorpions will find their way to your property.

Where will I find scorpions?

Scorpions prefer to live outside in damp, dark areas like under logs, rocks, brush piles, and construction debris. They are good climbers and hang out on trees, bushes, and walls.

As scorpions travel along the exterior of our homes and garages, they find their way inside through small openings they discover around windows and doors, at the roofline, in exterior walls, or through gaps around vents and utilities entering your house.

Once inside, scorpions move to dark, quiet areas where moisture and prey are usually present, such as crawl spaces, wall voids, areas behind sinks and tubs, under sinks, and inside closets.

How do I get rid of scorpions?

Through effective and ethical pest control services, the Anderson Pest Control professionals will get rid of dangerous scorpions from your property. Our family-owned company will always go the extra mile to provide you with peace of mind knowing you and your family have protection from scorpions.

Through our Black Light Night Inspection Service, our professionals can locate the scorpions on your property so they can be removed and exterminated. Then by completing exclusion services, you can be sure scorpions won’t be able to return. If you are ready to maintain a scorpion-free home or business and want to learn more about our scorpion control solutions, reach out to Anderson Pest Control today!

How can I prevent scorpions in the future?

In addition to our home pest control and commercial pest control services, protect your property from scorpions with the following prevention tips:

• Seal up cracks and crevices in your walls and foundation.
• Install weatherstripping and door sweeps.
• Cut tree branches back away from your roofline.
• Never place woodpiles or construction debris next to your home’s exterior walls.
• Repair any leaky pipes, fixtures, and air conditioners.
• Remove vegetation that has grown too close to the exterior of your home.
• Keep storage areas organized and store items in hard-sided containers with locking lids instead of cardboard boxes. Scorpions can easily crawl into cardboard boxes.
• Put in place a year-round pest control plan to reduce the amount of their prey (insects, spiders, mice) living on your property.