AZ IPM Tip of the Week: Scorpions among us

Temperatures are rising and our wonderful warm weather pests are starting to move about. As you know scorpions are one of these. Scorpions are in fact, an important and beneficial component of our ecosystem by feeding on a variety of insects, spiders, centipedes, and other scorpions.

Of the 40 - 60 species in Arizona, only one is of medical importance, the Bark Scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus).

Envenomation of a child is serious and emergency medical help should be sought immediately.

If it is safe to do so, kill and bring the offending scorpion to the medical facility for identification.

Who is at-risk for severe reactions?

Children under 12 years of age (or people weighing under 70 lbs)
Elderly
Those with compromised immune systems or hypertension

Antivenin is available at some hospitals

If you have been stung please contact:

Arizona Poison Control and Drug Information Center: 1 (800) 222-1222

(Please put this number in your phone)

In the U.S. the bark scorpion is found in southwestern California, Arizona, southern Utah, and southwestern New Mexico. it is 1 - 3 inches in length and is the most encountered scorpion inside our homes. This scorpion is commonly encountered outdoors and found under tree bark, logs, rocks, cracks and crevices in patios and driveways, and under other objects around the home landscape. They are capable climbers and will readily climb walls.

Symptoms of a bark scorpion sting:

Pain can be intense but little or no swelling

Numbness

Frothing at the mouth

Difficulty breathing

Muscle twitching or thrashing

Convulsions

Unusual head, neck, and eye movements

Drooling

Sweating

Restlessness or excitability and sometimes inconsolable crying

Young infants are likely to cray inconsolably, and may hold the affected limb or area

Adults are more likely to experience:

Rapid breathing

High blood pressure

Increased heart rate

Muscle twitching

Weakness

Most healthy adults can withstand a bark scorpion sting without medical treatment. But if at all in doubt call Poison Control.

How to manage scorpions in your environment:

Pest-proofing your home is an essential first step to preventing unwanted guests of many kinds. Scorpions are almost impossible to manage with insecticides alone so here are some tips to make your home and yard an unwelcoming site.

Tips for management:

Install weather-stripping and door sweeps on external doors.
Remove all harborages such as: trash, logs, boards, stones, bricks, and other objects within 5 feet from around your home. Limit such sites in your landscape.
Keep grass closely mowed near the home. Prune bushes and overhanging tree branches away from the structure (tree branches can provide a path to the roof for scorpions). Minimize low growing ground cover vegetation.
Store garbage containers on a concrete slab.
Never bring firewood inside the building unless it is placed directly on the fire.
Plug weep holes in brick veneer with steel wool, pieces of nylon scouring pad or a small square of screen wire.
Caulk around roof eaves, pipes and any other cracks into your home
Keep window screens in good repaire
If you are inclined you can "see" if you have scorpions by conducting a U.V. black-light investigation several times during the summer between 8 - 11 pm. Collect and freeze or release scorpions into the desert.