Problems with Scorpions?

Problems with Scorpions?

By Walt Conrad on June, 28 2012

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Walt Conrad

Walt has extensive background in landscape design and trees and plants native to the Soutwest. He loves spending time in the nurseries and helping customers find solutions to their landscape problems.

Scorpions, though small and secretive, are one of Arizona’s most well-known and feared residents. Scorpions, like spiders, are arachnids and they possess a venomous sting that is typically used to subdue their insect prey. Unfortunately, scorpions use their venom for defense as well and a painful and potentially dangerous sting may also be delivered to a human that accidentally or unexpectedly contacts a scorpion. Most stings occur when a human steps on or places their hand on a scorpion and fewer stings occur when a scorpion finds its way into a bed and is accidentally rolled on to. 

Scorpions certainly don’t want to waste their venom on humans since humans are far too large to be prey for scorpions. Instead, scorpions are attracted to humans’ homes and yards to find the insects that often live in and around homes. A scorpion infestation can be a very serious problem, but there are some some safe and natural do-it-yourself pest control methods that can help prevent the problem by eliminating the scorpion’s prey from your property. 

  • You may want to start by determining what types of pests call your yard home. First, dig a couple of small holes in your yard and place a solo cup in each one. After a night or two, check the cups to find out what type of pests have been trapped in the cups so you are better prepared to control them.
  • To deter many insects from your property, simply mix a solution of 9 parts water to 1 part Eucalyptus oil in a spray bottle and treat plants, trees, dirt, and rocks in areas where pests have been seen or were trapped in the cups. Pests do not like the smell of Eucalyptus oil and tend to avoid areas saturated with it.
  • You may also want to create a defensive border around high insect-traffic areas or your home’s foundation, especially near entry points like doors and dryer vents, by spreading diatomaceous earth around suspected infestations. This powdered sea shell and fossil mixture makes tiny abrasions on the pests’ exoskeletons, which will cause them to dehydrate and die, but is non-toxic to humans and pets.
  • Finally, you may place sticky ‘glue’ traps outside around any suspected problem areas so catch the pests before they come inside.

If your home and yard includes uncontrollable insect pests, be sure to contact a professional pest control company since the insects can attract other unwanted guests, like scorpions, that prey on insects. There are many different pest control companies throughout the Phoenix Valley, so be sure to find one knowledgeable of the specific pests you are dealing with. If you find yourself dealing with scorpions, many pest control companies may struggle to solve this problem because most pesticides are ineffective on scorpions. 

If you're having problems with Scorpions, contact our friends at Scorpion Sweepers - they use a unique and effective pesticide-free method to safely control scorpions on your property.
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