How to Handle Scorpions
What makes them unusual? Just about everything about them!
- They’re not insects. They’re actually predatory arachnids, related to spiders. They kill and consumer other bugs and small pests.
- They don’t just live in the desert. They are found in many places around Austin and central Texas, but are all over the world including Brazil, Canada and even in the Himalayas!
- Easily recognizable, but not always easily seen. They hide well, under rocks, logs, even potted plants.
- Scorpions climb almost any surface. Except for glass or similar smooth, slick substances, scorpions have no problem with high places.
- They’ve been on earth for more than 400 million years.
- They can go an entire year without food! They have an exoskeleton structure that makes them resistant to water loss and they can even slow down their metabolism when there isn’t food around.
- They can survive underwater for up to two days.
And that’s just a few of their interesting characteristics!
But more important than those random facts, is what you can do about them around your home. Knowing they like to hide, and are predators of insects, you can take some proactive steps:
- Keep debris away from your home. Remove logs, place firewood away from the house, discard old containers and rocks and brick and generally leave the exterior of your home open and clear.
- Seal up your home especially small gaps and weep holes near your foundation. Placing mesh material into those spaces will help keep scorpions out.
- Reduce wet areas, overwatered lawns, leaky pipes, etc. All insects love high moisture areas.
- Some report that natural repellants around your home can help, such as cedar chips as mulch or cedar granules.
- Get a general pest control service to reduce their food sources.
Knowing more about scorpions, where they live and how they behave makes it easier to handle them.
The most common scorpions in the Austin Texas area are striped bark scorpions, and despite their unnerving appearance, are not nearly as dangerous as other scorpions, such as the ones in Arizona.
If you’re ever stung by a scorpion, you can apply a paste made of meat tenderizer and water to help neutralize the discomfort. The tenderizer must have papain (from papayas) as the main ingredient. Papain is an enzyme that breaks down protein. Scorpion venom contains proteins. This also works for related stings like bees and wasps. Like bees though, if you do have any kind of allergy or ongoing reaction, of course seek medical attention.
Scorpion pest control is possible with some prevention and ongoing pest treatments.
Call us at 512-443-0123 or fill out our website form for a scorpion pest control quote.
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