Scorpions: Prevention & Extermination
Order: Scorpiones
Scorpions: Overview | Scorpion Stings | Prevention
Keeping your home and yard clean of debris is the first step towards scorpion control. Piles of firewood, boards, loose debris, rocks and other items create a habitat for the scorpion to live and hide.
Pesticides can be used to keep the bug population down in your home and around the perimeter of your foundation. Since scorpions feed on bugs, this will help control and reduce the amount of available food for the scorpion.
Scorpion removal and extermination can be difficult. We recommend hiring a professional extermination service to assist you.
The University of Arizona's Scorpions publication provides the following public service information (see box below):
Scorpions are difficult to control with insecticides alone. Therefore, the first control strategy is to modify the area surrounding a house.
- Remove all trash, logs, boards, stones, bricks and other objects from around the home.
- Keep grass closely mowed near the home. Prune bushes and overhanging tree branches away from the house. Tree branches can provide a path to the roof for scorpions.
- Store garbage containers in a frame that allows them to rest above ground level.
- Never bring firewood inside the house unless it is placed directly on the fire.
- Install weather-stripping around loose fitting doors and windows (including the garage door).
- Plug weep holes in brick veneer homes with steel wool, pieces of nylon scouring pad or small squares of screen wire.
- Caulk around roof eaves, pipes and any other cracks into the home.
- Keep window screens in good repair. Make sure they fit tightly in the window frame.
- Wear protective clothing such as shoes or gloves when working outdoors
- Check shoes, shake out clothing and equipment left outside prior to use.
Tips for Professionals
Wettable powder formulations provide better residual control for crawling pests when applying perimeter sprays.
When using pyrethroids or other insecticides labeled for scorpion control, be sure to use the highest permissible label rate.
When applying pesticides directly onto individual scorpions, apply judiciously. Apply pesticides around the foundation of the building and up to 1 foot above ground level on the exterior walls. Also apply pesticides around doors, window eaves and other potential points of entry. Follow directions on the package for dosage, mixing and application methods.
Lean more about scorpion control and prevention!
Common Questions:
Where are scorpions found?
What are the symptoms of a scorpion sting?
Which scorpion is the most venomous in the United States?
Scorpions: Overview | Scorpion Stings | Prevention
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