Scorpions are an arachnid with a segmented tail and stinger. They are related to spiders, ticks, and mites. But, it’s their tail stinger that scares most people.
Where do scorpions live? Although scorpions generally live in the desert, they also live in dry areas such as caves, bricks, logs, grass, trees, and homes. Scorpions are found all over the world. There are 76 species that are from Europe, where they were introduced in the 1700s.
Nearly every country in Europe has reported scorpion sightings. In addition, scorpions live in the forests of Brazil, the Himalayas, the rainforests and savannas of Africa.
They are found in Australia, Asia, and even Hawaii has one species of scorpion. In the United States, scorpions are found in the southwest, with pockets of scorpions being found as north as the California-Oregon border.
But, it’s the fear of running into a scorpion in a midnight run to the bathroom that has most homeowners worried. It’s one thing to be careful when hiking, but another to feel always on guard in your own home.
If you are a homeowner near grassy or forested land, it is important to know if pesticides can protect you and your home from a scorpion infestation.
Do Pesticides Work On Scorpions? Although it can be scary and intimidating, it is possible to control scorpions with pesticides. There are a number of pesticides and insecticides that can be used to manage scorpion sightings around your dwelling.
Scorpions enter residences in search of shelter and water. In the event they cannot immediately find shelter and water, they are capable of waiting in a hideaway crack or crevice until it is available.
If your home is located in a dry area, or if you live near the desert, chances are that scorpions are close by. Homeowners are worried about infestations of scorpions.
When choosing the pesticide you will use to protect your home against scorpions entering the premises, you must consider the safety of the pesticide, the application of the pesticide, and the effectiveness of the pesticide. By taking these considerations into account, homeowners can make the best decision with regards to their process for exterminating scorpions before they become a nuisance.
What Kinds Of Pesticides Are Effective Against Scorpions?
Many pesticides exist for the purposes of exterminating critters and bugs. When considering which pesticide or insecticide to use against scorpions, it is essential to know what is already in the market, how effective the current product is, and where you can get it.
Ingredients To Look For In Scorpion Pesticides
Products that have carbaryl, cyfluthrin, esfenvalerate, tralomethrin, and bifenthrin are usually available. These scorpion pesticides are able to kill scorpions on contact.
As you seek out pesticides, be on the lookout for products with these ingredients as they will be effective in treating your home for scorpions.
Chemical Pesticides
Chemical pesticides are generally considered dangerous to both humans and house pets. When you are using pesticides or insecticides to guard against scorpions, be sure to close off the designated area for safety.
In doing this, you will be safeguarding any human visitors from inhaling the chemicals from the pesticide.
Alternatively, you can contact a pest control company and have them either exterminate the pests in your dwelling or spray against future pests. Pest control professionals are knowledgeable of the necessary safety precautions to take when safeguarding both the interior and exterior of your home.
As a result, there is a lower risk of you injuring yourself or others in the process of spraying your home with pesticides.
Residual Insecticides
Wettable powders can also be used to guard against scorpions. These powders need to be applied at least three feet around the perimeter of the home.
They should also be applied around windows and doors, along the floors of the home, and around the garage and basement areas.
One wettable power that can be used is Lambdastar Ultracap 9.7. This pesticide can be applied by pest control professionals. These powders may leave a visible residue. This residue can be seen against dark surfaces, and they should be left for a few weeks to still be effective against scorpions.
Dust Pesticides
Generally, dust pesticides are the best pesticides to use against scorpions when you must apply the insecticide in an indirect manner.
In other words, if you need to spray an area where you know scorpions may hide, such as a crack or crevice, a dust pesticide will work best. This is due to the fact that the residue will stick around in that spot and will either deter or kill scorpions once they come in contact with the pesticide.
Dust pesticides are best used in the attic. Many dust insecticides can be used such as Drione Dust or D-Fense Dust.
These dust insecticides are applied with a duster. This dust insecticide can work well in any empty spaces within your home such as crevices, electrical fittings, window frames, and cracks.
Spray Pesticides
Spray pesticides can be used to treat your home for scorpion control, and they work best when sprayed directly on to the scorpion. These pesticides can evaporate into the air after time, so an indirect method is not as effective as a direct control method.
While it is best for you to follow the directions on the pesticide label, it is a good idea to spray the pesticide along the exterior of your home in a few places.
- The exterior ground of the foundation of the home.
- Around the exterior of windows and doors. Scorpions can enter dwellings by crawling through cracks in entry points such as windows or doors.
- The exterior cracks at least 1 foot off the ground. Scorpions are well known to hide in cracks and crevices. By spraying at least 1 foot off the ground, you decrease the chances of scorpions being shielded from the pesticide and being able to enter your home once the pesticide wears off.
LambdaStar Ultracap 9.7 is also a spray dust pesticide. It dries invisibly, although it can leave a visible residue.
LambdaStar yields up to forty gallons, and it will last longer when used outside as it adheres well to the harsher surfaces. But you can still use this spray indoors, and it will help ward off the scorpions.
Non-Toxic Pesticides
In the event your family needs to use non-toxic pesticides to handle your scorpion infestation, there are products that are non-toxic and not as likely to pose a risk to the environment, you, or your family.
Non-toxic insecticides do not have the same residue as chemical insecticides. While they are an effective pesticide, the effects may wear off faster than chemical insecticides.
When seeking a non-toxic pesticide or insecticide, consider Diatomaceous Earth. Diatomaceous Earth is also known as DE, and the United States Food and Drug Administration considers it generally safe.
Be sure to use the food-grade version because the filtration version of the insecticide is toxic to both humans and animals.
Every insecticide is designed for a specific purpose and has its own instructions. Prior to using this product, thoroughly read the label for usage instructions and be sure you are using the food-grade version.
Generally, most brands of diatomaceous earth require that you simply sprinkle the dust insecticide into the cracks and crevices where scorpions may be hiding.
Scorpion Control Indoors
When engaging in indoor scorpion control efforts, first take stock of the cleanliness of the home, and observe places where scorpions could hide such as under furniture, inside rolled-up rugs or carpet, or even in cabinets and cupboards.
Once you are aware of all the potential hiding places for scorpions, take care while cleaning those areas.
Scorpions like to hide out in rarely used spaces or crawl spaces. First be sure to clean out cabinets, closets, and other spaces.
- Watch for scorpions under rugs, furniture, and shoes
- Be aware that scorpions can hide beneath toys, clothing piles, and other dark areas
- Check crawl spaces, under cabinets, in closets and baseboards
Indoor Scorpion Control Treatments
Onslaught Fastcap or Demon WP can be applied to hiding spaces such as cracks or crevices which will help for either indoor or outdoor scorpion control.
Onslaught Fastcap is another product designed to kill scorpions. This pesticide kills scorpions on contact, and it leaves a residue that will kill scorpions for up to four weeks.
Products that are based in dust are useful for treating empty places within walls and crawl spaces. Contact sprays can also be used indoors such as CB 80 or Invader aerosols. Finally, bug traps can be used to trap scorpions hiding behind furniture or under furniture.
Outdoor Scorpion Control Treatments
When thinking about your outdoor treatment plan for controlling scorpions, remember to treat the foundation of your home as well as the flowers, shrubs, and grass.
Scorpions like to hide out in cracks or crevices until the cooler night temperatures, so treating the foundation of your home is essential to scorpion prevention and removal.
Additionally, gardens and flower beds are an ideal location for scorpions to find other insects, which they feed on. Be sure to treat your flower beds with the appropriate insecticide to ward off scorpions before they appear and to kill scorpions after they have already appeared.
When you are treating your outdoor living area for scorpions, make sure that you treat the area every one or two weeks.
You can use a blacklight to find scorpions at night because they will glow under the light. Also, remember to wear shoes outdoors at all times and avoid picking scorpions up with your bare hands.
Treatments For Outdoor Scorpion Control
In addition to maintaining the outer portions of your homestead, there are a number of treatments that can be purchased to help with scorpion control on the perimeter of your home.
- Onslaught Fastcap
- Talstar Professional
- Talstar PL Granules
- Demon WP
The previously mentioned pesticides are great for use outdoors, but they can also be used indoors. Another pesticide that can be used is the Invader Aerosol which is a great product for rapid control of scorpions.
Invader Aerosol will kill scorpions on contact within seconds, and it is one of the fastest insecticides.
How To Treat A Scorpion Infestation
If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having a scorpion infestation, there are a few steps you should take to resolve the situation.
- Seal Crevices Around Your Home. Anywhere there is a crevice, is a possible point of entry for scorpions to your home. Window frames, door frames, home foundations, and pet doors are all opportunities for scorpions to enter your home in search of shelter, food, and water. Sealing off the crevices around your home is the first step to treating a scorpion infestation.
- Inspect Crawl Spaces. Once scorpions are inside your home, they may hide in a variety of places. Cabinets, closets, attics, and even messy laundry baskets are the perfect places for scorpions to hide while awaiting the opportunity to access food and water.
- Clear Away Brush. Scorpions also hide out in brush or debris that may be surrounding your home. Scorpions are likely to find insects or harbored water in piles of brush or debris. In order to deter scorpions, keep the perimeter of your home clear of brush and debris. Firewood should be kept at least 30 feet away from the home.
- Remove Outside Water Sources. Outside water sources are the ultimate temptation for scorpions hoping to find refuge in your yard. A leaky air conditioner, a backyard puddle, or even an overwatered potted plant are potential sources of water for scorpions.
- Eliminate Crickets. Scorpions love eating crickets. Eliminating crickets from the perimeter of, and inside, your home will decrease the chances that scorpions will set up a home in your yard.
Other Ways To Safeguard Against Scorpions
It will be difficult to control the occurrence of scorpions near the home by using only pesticides, insecticides and other chemical methods.
To effectively safeguard the home against scorpions, the home and the land surrounding the home must be regularly cared for and maintained.
Make The Home Less-Inviting To Scorpions
Insecticides and chemical methods are not enough to control scorpions because they are able to hide in cracks and crevices both within and surrounding the home.
It is possible to make the dwelling less inviting to scorpions by regularly removing loose debris such as wood, boards, trash, and logs, and by sealing up cracks in the foundation, keeping the lawn mowed, and cutting back overhanging branches.
Other methods include sealing off cracks in exterior walls. Products that can be used to seal off cracks include caulk or “Pest Barrier”. Pest Barrier can be directly applied outside the home; it is a strip that will stop scorpions or spiders from crawling into the home. Professional pest control companies can apply these strips to the exterior of the home.
Keep The Home Clean
It is essential that shoes and piles of laundry not be left outside, or easily accessible to scorpions. These are perfect hiding places for scorpions and are a quick way for scorpions to move past the defenses that have been set up with chemical pesticides, dust pesticides, and any sprays to deter scorpions from entering the home.
In any area where scorpions are generally present, it is a good idea to always wear shoes outside. If it is dark outside, use a blacklight when you go outdoors.
The blacklight will help you see if scorpions are outside. Additionally, stay alert and look out for the presence of scorpions. These are a few ways to protect your person against a scorpion’s sting.
Keep Scorpions At Bay
Scorpions eat insects, so a good way to safeguard against a scorpion infestation is to keep their food source at bay. You can do this by setting traps to reduce the chance that your home will be a feeding ground for scorpions.
You can use any number of traps to trap either bugs, crickets, or even scorpions. These traps will enable you to localize the scorpion’s food source and remove it from your home or yard in one go.
Traps can be applied in various ways throughout the home. The best traps for bugs are glue traps since they immobilize the insects and they can be placed throughout the home and around the home’s perimeter.
For example, some traps can be placed in corners of cupboards or closets where insects hide. And they can hang from ceilings in the garage, so flying bugs can also be trapped.
Glue traps are great at catching insects. These traps do not kill scorpions, but they do catch scorpions.
These traps are a neat alternative if you would like to keep your home free of chemical pesticides. These glue traps can be placed around the exterior of your home, or they can be placed in rarely used place, cabinets or closets.
Conclusion
Scorpions can be tough to detect if you are not sure where or how to look for them, and they can be even tougher to get rid of once you realize you have them. Fortunately, if you take these steps, you can greatly reduce the attraction of scorpions into your home. Then, finish the job off with the right pesticide.
