Are You Struggling To Get Rid Of A Scorpion Infestation?
Scorpions don’t build nests, they burrow. What that means for getting them out of your house for good.
Read post →A scorpion looks like something that should come with a warning label: armor, pincers, and a tail built for exactly one job. The honest answer for Austin homeowners is that they are far less dangerous than they look, and far more annoying than you want. Here is what you are actually dealing with.
What Are Scorpions?
Scorpions are arachnids, close cousins to spiders, running eight legs, a pair of pincers, and that long segmented tail with a stinger on the end. Around Austin homes you will meet two species:
| Species | How to recognize it | How often you'll see it |
|---|---|---|
| Striped bark scorpion | Pale yellow body, about 70 mm long, two dark stripes running down the back | By far the more common one around homes |
| Texas cave scorpion | Dark-colored body with thicker pincers | Occasional, prefers caves and limestone |
Why Scorpions Invade Homes
Scorpions would rather live outside. They come indoors when the outdoors stops cooperating: cold snaps, hard rainstorms, construction next door, anything that tears up the environment they were comfortably hiding in. The other reason is dinner. Scorpions hunt insects and spiders, and if the bug they are chasing crawls into your house, the scorpion is happy to follow it right in.
Problems Scorpions Cause
Of the thousands of scorpion species worldwide, roughly 50 are dangerous to people. Neither of ours makes that list. Both Austin species carry venom and both will sting, but neither poses a life-threatening risk to humans. The sting is still a genuinely bad time, and if you are allergic to the venom it is a bigger deal, so if you are not sure about an allergy, that is a conversation worth having with your doctor before you find out the hard way.
How To Prevent Scorpions
Scorpions get inside the same ways most pests do, so the fixes look familiar:
- Clear debris and clutter off the property
- Organize storage areas inside and out so there are fewer dark hiding spots
- Store firewood and lumber at least 30 feet from the house
- Caulk holes, gaps, and cracks in the foundation and around window and door frames
- Repair damaged siding, weatherstripping, door sweeps, and screens
- Make sure windows and doors fit properly and are in good repair
- Fix leaky pipes and fixtures, since scorpions and their prey both follow moisture
- Check that your gutters are draining like they should
- Keep the house clean enough that the insects scorpions hunt have no reason to move in
A Better Answer To Scorpion Problems
The list above genuinely helps, but the surest way to handle scorpions is to let someone who does it every day take over. Accurate Termite & Pest Control runs comprehensive service plans that keep scorpions, and the insects they hunt, out of your home, plus quick elimination service if they are already inside. Take a look at our scorpion control solutions and the rest of our pest control services.
Contact our team or call (512) 267-0812 for a free estimate and a plan that fits your place. No contracts, and estimates cost nothing.
