There's something about scorpions that frightens even the bravest of men. Perhaps it's because of their menacing appearance, so often exaggerated in cartoons and movies, even though the real ones are very small in size.
Maybe it's because of their sharp pincers and sting, which not only delivers painful wounds, but are believed to hold poisonous venom. Whatever the reason, scorpions are definitely among the nastiest creepers that walk the earth. Imagine them walking all over your front yard and creeping into your home. Scary thought, right? Scorpions, for some people, don't just exist in daring reality shows. They are pests that appear all over their homes, thriving and lurking in dark places. It's not unusual for people to find scorpions living around them, and if you happen to find a few around your area, you should take action to completely eliminate these scary critters.
Scorpion Basics
Like spiders, mites and ticks, Scorpions are arachnids, with 1,300 species found worldwide. They are identified by their elongated body, pincers and their segmented tail with a venomous stinger on the tip, used to defend themselves. Scorpions measure depending on their species, but full grown ones are about 2 inches long. The can be black, yellow, reddish brown and blue. Scorpions are often seen in Southwestern and Southern United States, and although most of them are not poisonous, except for two species seen in southwestern areas like Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California, they still sting like bees and wasps. This is why you should get rid of them.
Eliminate Other Insects
Scorpions feed mainly on other insects, like centipedes, spiders and even other scorpions. Larger species also eat vertebrates, including small lizards, mice and small snakes. Knowing that these creatures are what scorpions prey on, it's only rational that you eliminate these other insects first. Take the proper measure to remove these critters from inside and outside your home. If the scorpions' food supply decreases, they'll likely vacate your area. Although this tactic helps, don't expect it to cure all your scorpion problems immediately, since these pests can actually survive without eating for as long as six months. Do this as an additional precaution.
Clean Up
Every good homeowner knows the importance of a clean and neat household, whether it's scorpion-infested or not. A poorly-kept, messy and cluttered home attracts these critters more, especially if they find ideal hiding places or shelter in them. You should make sure no area in your home draws them in, otherwise, you'll only find it more difficult to get rid of scorpions. Here are a few tips.
•Get rid of outdoor harborages on the ground, like piles of boards, trash, stones, and firewood. If you have landscape timbers, remove them too. These are common places where scorpions nest and thrive.
•Seal all possible points of entry into your home. Check your doors, windows, wires and pipes for holes, gaps, cracks or chinks of wood or cement missing, and cover them properly.
•Landscape maintenance goes a long way. Clear large rocks from your yard, and don't let bushes, brushes and leaves touch your home. Palm trees should also be shaved, since scorpions like to live here.
•If you have a baby's crib in your home, put the legs of the crib in glass mason jars, so the scorpions won't be able to climb and sting your baby. Keep the crib away from walls, too.
•Clean out your closets and cabinets. Scorpions are notorious for hiding within folded clothes and shoes that aren't being used.
Turn On Your Black Light
Scorpions are nocturnal, meaning they move around more at night. This is the best time then, to seek and eliminate them. The only problem is the darkness camouflages their dark color. Chances are you'll get stung if you don't see them creeping up near you. To solve this dilemma, bring a transportable black light with you. Scorpions turn green under it, allowing you to see the pests clearly.
Use Insecticides
Scorpions, like other insects, can easily meet their demise with insecticides. It's just a matter of knowing which one you can use that will be most effective for your arachnid infestation. The most effective and most powerful type many homeowners use is the wettable powder or WP. Examples of this product are Cyper WP and Demon WP. Wettable powder is applied as a three-foot band around the structure's perimeter, all around potential entry points and into harborage sites. Put this around entry points, like baseboards, closets, basement areas, garage and plumbing. You don't have to worry about losing track of where you placed the substance, since WPs leave visible residues that show on dark surfaces. WPs can also be placed in crevice, cracks and other hiding places. When used outdoors, you can place this in mulch and flower beds too. Organic insecticide dusts also work against scorpions, although they are less powerful than WPs. These dusts contain active ingredients like pyrethrums, that help eliminate pests. Use this in the attic area, if this is where scorpions thrive. Placing glue traps under and behind furniture also helps trap the insects and monitor their movement. If you can't find an organic insecticide immediately, you can try using pesticide, like Cyonara 9.7, which has the active ingredient Lambda-Cyhalothrin. This is sprayed, and works the same way as WPs, placed around barriers and entryways. Although it's not as powerful, it can do well for minor scorpion problems. If you have pets, make sure the product is safe for them.
Professional Scorpion Control
If you're lucky, the steps above will easily get rid of your scorpion dilemma, but if you're not, and you still find these creatures lurking around your place all the time, then it's time to turn to the professionals. Find a trustworthy pest control company and let them deal with the matter. You might find this a bit costly, but at least you can rest your worries. Their services will include consultation, check ups, cleaning up your home and making it scorpion-free, and spraying insecticide inside and outside your home. If necessary, the exterminator might need to come back on a monthly basis, until there's no more sign of arachnids and other insects anywhere. When looking for an exterminator, make sure to ask what percentage strength they have in their scorpion pesticide. Ask several services, then choose one with the highest percentage of them all. That exterminator will surely be the most reliable and most efficient. Nobody likes creepy crawly insects, especially if they're nasty scorpions ready to sting. It's frightening to have your home overrun by these pests, so before that happens, make sure to try these methods. You'll end up with a clean, scorpion-free home, and a peaceful mind.