There are many upsides to living here in Phoenix, including our culture, beautiful wilderness spots, and fantastic eats. There are also a few downsides. One reason some people are hesitant to settle in our area is the fact that there are scorpions. If you didn't grow up here and moved down from up north, the thought of scorpions invading your home might seem like a nightmare. To help you better understand these painful pests, here are a few things you should consider, along with four simple ways to keep them out of your home.
Are Scorpions In Phoenix Dangerous?
There are four species of scorpions that call Phoenix their home — the Baja California bark scorpion, the giant hairy scorpion, the stripe-tailed scorpion, and the Arizona bark scorpion. These pests are dangerous, and all possess venom, but only one has a life-threatening sting — the Arizona bark scorpion. Now, when we say life-threatening, this doesn't mean if you are stung, you will die; it means that there is a risk of serious injury. Between 1926 and 1964, there were only 75 deaths recorded from the Arizona bark scorpion here in Arizona. Keeping this in mind, if you are stung by a scorpion, it is generally wise to seek medical attention, especially if the pain is considerable.
Why Scorpions Invade Homes
There are some pests that want to be in your home, and then there are scorpions. These painful pests don't intentionally invade human living areas unless necessary for their survival. Most often, it's construction or bad weather that drives these scorpions to seek shelter inside homes. They might also come inside to hunt for other pests such as beetles, cockroaches, and ants. Interestingly enough, most scorpions don't try to invade homes but end up inside anyways, just by wandering in through cracks, gaps, and other openings.
Things To Do To Prevent Scorpions
The last thing you want is scorpions crawling into your home. Here are four great prevention tips to keep them and the prey they hunt away and reduce your chances of finding these pests indoors.
- Step 1: Clean up your yard. This cleaning should include picking up organic clutter such as sticks and leaf piles, filling in holes, cleaning up toys, and removing anything that is unnecessary. We also recommend mowing your grass and keeping your hedges well-trimmed.
- Step 2: Seal your home's exterior. Do this by filling in gaps and cracks in your home's exterior foundation, repairing window and door screens, installing door sweeps under exterior doors, and addressing damage to siding and window and door frames.
- Step 3: Reduce moisture sites. To do this, find and eliminate sources of standing water around your yard, address leaky pipes and fixtures, make sure your gutters are working properly, and use a dehumidifier indoors.
- Step 4: Reduce pest attractants. Start by thoroughly cleaning your house. After this, practice storing leftover food, pet food, and food stored inside plastic bags and cardboard boxes inside airtight containers. Finally, pick up and clean out your pet's food and water bowls before going to bed at night.
When It's Time To Call The Professionals About Your Scorpions Problems
If you find scorpions inside your home or are looking for a reliable way to keep these pests and the pests they prey on out of your home, look no further than Green Flash Pest Control. Call us today and gain access to our experience and our quality pest control solutions in Phoenix, AZ. We will put in place protection to keep scary scorpions and other area pests off your Phoenix property.
Learn more about our organic pest control solutions and how to request your free estimate today!