Scorpions

What Are Scorpions?

Spotting a scorpion indoors is unsettling, and for good reason: these pests not only look intimidating, some can genuinely be dangerous. Contrary to common belief, scorpions are not insects. They are predatory arachnids, distant cousins of spiders, mites, and ticks, and like all arachnids they have eight legs. They also happen to be among the oldest arthropods on Earth. In the United States they show up most often across the southern half of the country, in both the Southeast and Southwest, where they favor dry, warm climates and hide in cool, dark spots by day before hunting at night.

What Scorpions Look Like

A scorpion’s eight legs are paired with two pincers and a thin, segmented tail tipped with a stinger. Depending on the species, they range from about 1 to 5 inches long and weigh very little. Many people think they resemble tiny lobsters or crabs. Most are yellow or black, though some species appear brown, red, or orange. Their small size and talent for hiding mean a household may not realize scorpions are present until occasional sightings turn into a genuine infestation.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Scorpions usually mate in early fall or spring. After fertilization, the female carries the developing eggs inside her body, with gestation lasting anywhere from a few months to a year depending on species. Newborn nymphs look like miniature adults and cling to their mother’s back for the first couple of weeks until their first molt, then strike out on their own. They molt five or six more times on the way to adulthood, which takes roughly a year. Adults generally live two to six years, though some species can reach 15.

Habits, Diet, and Habitat

Scorpions rest by day and hunt by night, staying active year-round with a summertime peak. They are carnivores that prey mainly on insects but will also take snakes, lizards, small rodents, and even other scorpions, and they can slow their metabolism dramatically when food is scarce. With more than 2,500 species worldwide and about 50 in the U.S., they are typically found outdoors under rocks, bark, and bricks. When they slip indoors they often turn up in garages, basements, bathrooms, dark drawers, and even shoes.

Are Scorpion Stings Dangerous?

Not all scorpions are dangerous to people, and only a few venomous species live in the U.S. The bark scorpion, found in Arizona and parts of California, is the most venomous in North America. A sting delivers venom that affects the nervous system, with symptoms ranging from pain, numbness, swelling, and warmth at the site to, in severe cases, difficulty breathing, sweating, and muscle twitching. Fatalities are extremely rare, but children often react more strongly and should see a physician immediately if stung. The Mayo Clinic recommends cleaning a sting with soap and water, applying a cold compress, and using over-the-counter pain relievers, while severe reactions require hospital care.

What Attracts Scorpions and How to Keep Them Away

Scorpions come indoors looking for water and shelter, so standing water in kitchens, bathrooms, attics, or basements draws them in, as does extreme outdoor heat. To keep them out, seal cracks and crevices around doors and windows and check for other entry points. Because they hide in debris, remove woodpiles, keep grass short, trim overhanging trees, and keep landscaping at least two feet from the house. Indoors, reduce clutter such as clothing piles, cardboard boxes, and stacked paper where they like to hide.

How KR Controls Scorpions

DIY measures like boric acid in cracks, sticky traps, and eliminating standing water can help, but they often fall short of clearing a true infestation. The participating providers in our network have the experience to root out scorpions, provide a personalized assessment, and recommend a treatment plan suited to your home, along with proactive advice to keep them from returning. Tired of battling scorpions on your own? Call (855) 560-1396 for a free inspection today.