Houston Scorpion Control

Houston's hot, dry climate makes it easy for scorpions to thrive here which can leave homeowners with some important questions like are scorpions deadly? And do scorpions bite? For homeowners, here's a complete guide to identifying scorpions, what it means if you're seeing scorpions in your yard, how to prevent them naturally, and when to contact pest control in to get rid of them scorpions for good.

How To Identify A Scorpion

The most common type of scorpion in Houston is the striped bark scorpion – and they also tend to be the easiest to identify. With slender, long bodies, striped bark scorpions have two-toned coloring: pale yellow or ivory on their pincers, legs, and tail, but dark brown on their abdomen. These scorpions have two long stripes on their back, which is one of their most identifiable features. You may also notice that the tip of a striped bark scorpion's stinger and tail is usually black or dark brown, but may occasionally still be that pale yellow-ivory color.

Are scorpions venomous? While the sting of a striped bark scorpion may be deadly to insects or other prey, it's rarely fatal for humans. These pests usually aren't aggressive toward humans without cause, but if they feel cornered or threatened, they may sting out of self-defense. If you are stung by a striped bark scorpion, it can be intensely painful and may swell for a few days but typically does not have lasting side effects.

Most healthy adults who aren't allergic will experience swelling and moderate aching after getting stung, not unlike the pain you'd feel after a wasp or bee sting. However, if you're allergic to this type of scorpion or just suspect you may be, you should seek medical attention immediately as a striped bark scorpion sting could trigger anaphylactic shock or another severe allergic reaction.

What It Means If You're Seeing Scorpions Around Your Yard

Nobody wants to find a scorpion in their home, but this happens all too often for Houston homeowners. Here's what it may mean if you see scorpions around your property:

• They like your woodpile: Scorpions like hiding underneath different things, including firewood. Wood piles that are positioned near your home can become a haven for scorpions, and if they hide well enough, you can accidentally bring them inside with a load of wood.
• They want moisture: Scorpions love dark, damp places to hide, which is why they're attracted to homes with standing water as well as moisture or humidity issues. Basements, garages, and even closets near sources of excess moisture can all become a scorpion's next hiding spot.
• They're looking for food: Just like spiders, scorpions probably won't have a lot of interest in your leftovers, but an existing pest infestation could draw them in. Scorpions need a food source, and homes already infested with insects, flies, or other bugs can provide that.
• They were hiding in your shoes: If you've ever left your shoes out to dry off in the summer, you may have been providing a scorpion with somewhere to hide. Shoes and other yard debris that may be damp or moist can attract scorpions, and if you bring these items inside without inspecting them, you could also be bringing in the scorpion.

Too many scorpions around your yard is a sure sign that there is something about your property they find attractive. It's important to identify the factors attracting scorpions and do your best to start minimizing them.

Five Naturally Effective Scorpion Prevention Tips For Around Your Yard

Even if they may not be deadly for most people, that doesn't mean you want to risk getting stung or finding these scorpions around your Houston property. Fortunately, there are some ways you can keep scorpions out of your yard, including:

• Eliminate where they like to hide, like firewood, leaf piles, or under rocks.
• Control other pest populations that scorpions may like to eat by practicing good food and trash sanitation.
• Use caulk, foam, or another type of sealant to block off tiny cracks in your walls, foundation, or other gaps that allow scorpions and other pests inside.
• Address moisture problems around your property and get rid of standing water.
• Inspect items you're bringing inside to make sure scorpions aren't hiding inside.

These tips can help lessen the chances that scorpions will find their way into your home, but they will likely not be enough to control existing scorpion populations.

Contact The Pros For The Best Scorpion Control For Your Yard

What keeps scorpions away? Besides using the tips above, the best way to control scorpions in Houston is by working with All-Safe Pest & Termite. If you are finding scorpions around your property, contact us today to learn more about how our scorpion control program works to eliminate these pests.