Scorpions only jump out of impulse and need.

We often see scorpions scuttle along, a lot of us also wonder can scorpions jump at all? While they don’t really jump as effectively and as naturally as other animals, scorpions have the ability to leap or jump or leap into action as soon as there is food in sight.

About The Scorpion

There are more than 2,000 species of scorpion all over the world. These creatures are venomous which helps them hunt and kill their prey for food.

Even small, young scorpions are capable of delivering a huge dose of venom. Generally, scorpions hunt and feed on all types of insects, other arthropods and some even feed on very small vertebrates.

In attracting a mate, they use vibrations and pheromones. Female scorpions give birth to a brood of baby scorpions that climb onto their mother’s backs until their first molt.

Scorpions have strong survival instincts and can lower their metabolism to endure long periods of no sustenance. Some can even live for up to a year without food as long as there’s water available.

But even with reduced metabolism, these creatures are able to go into hunting action swiftly when opportunities arise.

Scorpion Facts

• In the U.S., there are about 100 species of scorpions but only the Arizona Bark Scorpion has a strong enough venom to kill a human, and this species is found in Phoenix.
• On some occasions, scorpions act out on their cannibalistic tendencies.
• Scorpions have great surviving skills. The Arizona Bark Scorpion can withstand the coldest temperatures in Mesa and Phoenix and can live up to 8 years without the intervention of scorpion pest control.
• Scorpions emit a bright yellow or neon green-like glow in the dark under black light.
• Scorpions have the ability to regenerate lost limbs.

The scorpion’s venom, called neurotoxin, attacks nerve cells that result to paralysis and death to its prey. However, the venom’s potency varies with the scorpion species, making some of them dangerous, while the other species are not.

Scorpions usually use their venom mostly for self-defense; and they us it to subdue and kill food.

In times of distress and threat, scorpions sting as their self-defense. What’s interesting about it is that they only use their venom in moderation because it takes a lot of energy to make it. Which makes the stings dry, meaning no venom was injected.

Scorpion stings usually occur when people step on one and when they put hands and feet into places where scorpions are mostly found hiding: under debris, rocks, in cracks and crevices, etc.

Localized pain and swelling when stung by a scorpion are common; and is comparable to a wasp sting. Sometimes the sting area turns a blackish-blue color. All symptoms usually go away after 24 hours.

But, some people have an allergic reaction which can pose medical problems.

The Arizona Bark Scorpion sting can be quite lethal. It can be especially dangerous to young children, the elderly, and people who are allergic to their venom.

Scorpions are not only menacing looking creatures, but they are venomous by nature and can inflict potentially life-threatening stings on their prey.

The mere thought of scorpions in or around your house and loved ones may be enough to send you screaming in the other direction. And with this thought, you’d wonder “do scorpions lay eggs?”

This little creature may not be the most massive animal, but it surely is here for a reason. Its small size can mask its presence from the unsuspecting. And the powerful venom of the most dangerous species like the African spitting scorpion can spell trouble even for grown men.

To put your fears to rest, there are some simple steps you can take to get rid of scorpions for good.

In The Yard And Around The Home

With the upcoming changing of the seasons, take time to remove any debris from the exterior of your house that may be providing shelter for scorpions.

A simply neglected flowerbed or loose rocks alongside your house are encouragement enough to invite a scorpion to settle in. Start by removing any loose rocks, brick, or woodpiles around your home that may have amassed over the summer months.

Do a thorough walk around the exterior of your house and look to fill in any holes in your foundation or cracks in your walls that might provide an entrance into your home for these eight-legged creatures.

Clean And Organize

Next, focus your efforts inward and remove the clutter inside of your home as well. Be sure to break down and throw out any unused or partially filled boxes in your attic that may provide a cool, dry place for these arachnids to hide.

Also, look to fix any interior structural defects that may allow the scorpions to come and go from your home in the evenings when they look to feed on their prey.

A Good Defense

Scorpions primarily feed on insects like crickets, moths, spiders, and centipedes. They may also eat lizards, mice, and possums. To deter scorpions from making your home theirs, be diligent about containing food or prey of any kind both inside and outside of your home.

For example, keep pet food that attracts rodents and bugs in airtight containers inside the home, and trash in closed, locking cans outside the home. By curbing an invitation to these other pests, you will reduce the potential for a scorpion to follow them to your home.

Extra Help

The combination of well-developed sprays and granules is a proven successful dual prevention method for getting rid of scorpions.

Helpful demonstration videos can be found online to gain a better understanding of how to apply granules and how to kill scorpions that may be hiding in your home or yard.

Just because the temperatures are dropping you should not stop treating for pests. Remember scorpions are hibernating during the cooler months but will be out in full force when it warms up. Make the fall and winter seasons your time to safeguard your home from unwanted pests.

There are about 30 species of scorpions found in Arizona. They hide under garden woodpiles and vases, dark home corners, under carpets, and in bathrooms, and scorpion control in your home is a must should you find one.

Some people don’t think of calling a scorpion control company when they are dealing with pests. It isn’t because they don’t want help.

However, they may not be aware that there is help available. These professionals work diligently to make sure that the only creatures in your backyard are the ones that belong there.

There are some who might believe that the job of a wildlife control service is unnecessary. They believe that animals belong outside.

Therefore, if they happen to slip into someone’s backyard or front yard, it isn’t really a big deal. However, this is far from the truth. There are several reasons why these creatures need to be kept under control.

First of all, they can be downright annoying. Imagine putting your garbage out at night, only to find that some critters got to it.

There are also creatures that don’t necessarily leave messes behind, but they are still unwanted. Some people are just fearful of certain animals, even those that are quite common.

This includes pigeons, lizards, and squirrels. Having these things in the yard could cause some people to shy away from going outdoors. No one has to live in this type of fear. If they don’t want certain animals in their yard, they have every right to have them removed.

Some critters also carry diseases, which can cause human sickness. Then, there are those that can actually cause a more direct type of physical harm.

This includes snakes, scorpions, and foxes. If either of these creatures ever sneaks into someone’s yard, there is a great reason to be concerned.

Scorpions, in particular, tend to be extremely dangerous. That’s because they are able to hide easily. Therefore, in many cases, they aren’t spotted until it’s too late.

For example, children could be playing in the yard near a bush and a scorpion could come out and bite them. The bush provided a place for the creature to hide. Someone could even be mowing the lawn and a scorpion could be hiding in a high patch of grass.

Scorpion control services provide a great service that keeps unwanted creatures away. Their hard work and expertise diminish annoyances and provides safety.

Any openings found should be tested for wildlife activity by blocking the hole with some loose material that can be pushed out such as paper towels. A hole shouldn’t be blocked or repaired until no presence of pests has been established.

Once scorpions find their way into a residence, the worst response a homeowner can make is to repair the entry points.

Doing so will prevent the animal from being able to leave and this presents many issues that are counterproductive to the ultimate goal of getting the scorpion out of the home.

Many people like to keep cats and scorpions as pets (unfortunately for the last one). However, most people dislike them and are even afraid of them.

There are small and simple things you can do, however, which will greatly decrease the presence of scorpions in the home.

Pets As Predators

One way is to bring in a predator that is not afraid to take on a scorpion. Housecats can be very efficient predators, although you will be taking the risk of the cat getting stung, which usually will not cause permanent injury. Chickens are also a great predator because they eat any creepy, crawly thing.

Clean Up The Yard

The trick is to remove anything that provides a comfy place for scorpions to relax. Brush piles, woodpiles, large rocks, logs, and even children’s toys are places under which scorpions will take refuge, reproduce, and prepare to invade your home.

Next, move to adjust the landscaping. Woodchips, bark, and loose soil are easy locations for scorpions to burrow under.

Repair The Outer Structure Of Your Home

Like anything, scorpions follow the path of least resistance. Remove this option by filling cracks and crevices in your home’s foundation and outer structure.

Keep your eyes open for particularly small cracks as scorpions can easily squeeze through. Look near outdoor water faucets, areas where cables enter the home, and the air conditioner with its accompanying hoses and wires that enter the home.

The slightest crack associated with any of these areas is a perfect front door for scorpions.

Fortify The Inside

Much like entering the walls of the home through cracks and crevices, scorpions will move from the walls to the kitchen floor through cracks within the home.

Use a standard calk gun to fill cracks near water faucets, switches, fixtures, and ceiling fans. Additionally, cut-off the food and water supply by fixing leaks, removing crumbs, and leaving pet dishes empty at night.

Be sure to keep the home tidy. Pick up wet towels, newspapers, and laundry, as scorpions will use these items as a cover.

You can consider hunting scorpions at night and shifting them to another place. If you are ready to transfer scorpions to another place from your yard, you can do this at night.

As a matter of fact, scorpions tend to fluoresce in ultra-violet light; therefore, you should use a dark light in order to search for them. In addition, you should put on strong boots and gloves.

You can use barbecue tongs for collecting scorpions into a big container.

After catching, you can release the insects into a nearby forest, dessert or grasslands. This is much better than killing them off. Release them in a place where they can live happily.

If you are too afraid of scorpions to deal with them on your own, then find a pest controller in your area to get this job done on your behalf.

If you are not careful, you may be bitten by a scorpion living in your home. In most cases, bites are only minor and cause itching, pain, redness, and swelling. To avoid all this, it’s best to call in a scorpion exterminating service.

These reactions are mild, and will usually disappear in a few days. Some reactions can be far more serious and can be fatal for young children or infants.

Effects may include nausea, hives, lightheadedness, swelling of certain areas, and severe allergic reactions. The worse case is a toxic reaction. This occurs when an insect or spider’s venom causes a lethal reaction in the body and acts as a poison.

One highly toxic bite or numerous less toxic bites or can be the source of this reaction. The type of spider or insect that gave the bite determines what kind of symptoms will come with the toxic reaction.

These may include vomiting, weakness, fever, diarrhea, swelling, muscle spasms, or seizures. This may lead to heart problems and eventual death.

The black widow spider, brown recluse spider, scorpion, and puss caterpillar are a few of the most dangerous insects and spiders. Multiple bee stings, wasp stings, or ant bites may also cause a toxic reaction, just as one black widow spider bite would do the same.

Africanized bees — also known as the ”killer” bees — are known to be more aggressive than the average bee, and attack in large numbers. Bees die after they lose their stinger, but wasps can sting multiple times.

Look for large skin reactions at the site of the bite or sting. This may indicate the need to visit a doctor as soon as possible.

One way to eliminate the threat of these pests is to call up scorpion exterminators. Working to remove these pests alone is an annoying and arduous task that is not worth pursuing, especially at the threat of venomous toxic reactions.

Insects can be a nuisance at any time of the year. Before contacting pest control companies, it’s important to know all of the things that can be done to decrease the chance of insects in your home.

A simple step to take is to keep the doors and windows closed as much as possible. Doors must also be sealed so that no gaps are present within the door jams.

Keeping a clean environment free from food debris and crumbs is also important. Fruit left out on a countertop is always an inviting meal for bugs, avoiding this will most certainly help.

Keep the trash area clean and never let things even begin to pile up. Making sure any type of food container is fully sealed is also a safe move in keeping away insects.

Using home pesticides is also a way to set up a perimeter around your home, to prevent pests from entering. Make sure to use these chemicals safely and read the directions thoroughly.

The most important thing to remember about scorpions is that you don’t want to try and handle things yourself, and it’s why you need scorpion pest control services.

KIlling them can be a difficult task, and it has the ability to sting even after dying and are tough enough to get under control. You want to call in an expert to handle this type of situation.

Never Attempt To Touch A Scorpion!

 If you haven’t seen one before, you may be tempted to try and get a closer look. This is a bad idea.

They move quite fast and can sting before you realize what has happened. Even if it is lying still and looks like it is dead, you still want to be careful. Don’t handle it directly.

Try to use a plastic jar with a lid or a broom to get rid of the scorpion away from the area.

The scorpion sting is usually not life-threatening. When stung, wash and rinse the area thoroughly with soap and water. Next, you can use ice to try and alleviate some of the pain. The best thing to do in cases like this is to call poison control immediately to make a report.

Also, it’s wise to call in a scorpion pest control company to check your household for scorpion infestation.

Trying to Kill It

 If you aren’t afraid, you may be interested in trying to kill the pest. There are several things to keep in mind if you are taking this route. The most important thing is the move quickly, have a plan, and take action as soon as possible.

However, it is important to note that while they may get squished in the process, they may not be dead. Take care when attempting to remove it from your home.

Keep Kids and Pets Away

Kids and pets may not know the risks brought by scorpions They may innocently attempt to touch it or get near it out of curiosity. You want to make sure to keep them as far away as possible.

Although a scorpion sting is usually not life-threatening, the side effects in kids can be more extreme, and some may need medical care.

Keep an eye out for the kids or animals getting too close. Because of the serious risk scorpions have, it’s best to seek the professional assistance of scorpion pest control.

Call In A Professional Scorpion Pest Control Company

If you’ve seen a scorpion or two around the house or yard, then the services of scorpion control are warranted. An exterminator would know exactly where to look for them, where the nests are located, and treat the area accordingly.

You don’t want the problem to get out of control, so call someone today. They can come out to the house and take a look around to determine what treatments you need.

Scorpions are ancient creatures. Fossil records indicate they existed over 400 million years ago, looking very much the same as they do today.

Every scorpion is capable of delivering a painful sting, the most deadly being the Arizona bark scorpion. Although deaths from a scorpion sting are quite rare everyone should do their best to scorpion-proof their home, and check first if there’s any scorpion nest in the area.

The best way to begin scorpion-proofing your home is to eliminate the places they naturally hide in and where their food sources (other insects) are likely to live.

Look around and remove from the outside of your home improperly piled lumber, debris on the ground, yard trimmings in piles, and other things that provide hiding places for the scorpions and their food prey.

Some Scorpion Species In Arizona

There have been 90 different species of scorpions identified as living in the United States and 60 of them live in Arizona.

Bark scorpions can easily climb trees and bushes. To prevent such entry to your home make sure that there aren’t any trees or bushes touching your home and providing a pathway for them to enter.

Garbage cans should not rest directly on the ground. Firewood should not be brought into the home until it is ready to go right on the fire.

And any firewood should be picked examined and carefully picked up as this is one of their favorite hiding/resting spots. Excessive vegetation covering the soil should be removed or at least minimized especially around the home structure.

If there are gaps under exterior doors close them with brush strips. Gaps around windows and door framing can be sealed with caulking or weather-stripping.

Openings that admit wires, pipes, or other service entry should be sealed around the conduits with caulking or some other suitable material. Vents leading to attics or crawl spaces should be effectively screened.

The eaves and the roofline should be inspected to determine any possible openings leading to the attic or wall voids, and these permanently closed where possible.

For those of us living in scorpion country, especially Phoenix, AZ, the following preventative measures should become a habit:

• Always shake out your shoes before putting them on in the morning.
• Check sleeping bags of beds before crawling into them.
• Check or shake out any clothing that has been laying on the floor before putting it on.
• When working in the yard, be careful when picking up anything from the ground.
• Wear gloves when gardening.
• Be careful when going barefoot as they deliver painful stings when accidentally stepped on.
• If there’s an infant in the house sleeping in a crib, place the legs of the crib inside large glass jars as the scorpions won’t be able to climb the glass.

Dealing with scorpions is a fact of life while living in Phoenix, AZ. The time and energy invested in scorpion proofing your home are well worth the peace of mind you will gain once it is done.

If you have had an altercation with a scorpion, you probably already know it is not a pleasant experience. While there are more than 25 species of in Phoenix Arizona, the most venomous of these is the bark scorpion.

If you wondering how big the Arizona bark scorpion is, then I guess it is no consolation to know that an adult male can grow to 8cm length while the female is slightly smaller by a cm. They are light brown in color. Although their size is not all that imposing, that can’t be said of their sting that packs quite a punch.

Bark scorpion behavior

The Arizona bark scorpion is a very good climber. It can easily scale walls as well as crawl across and suspend on ceilings. One might think that the oval shaped stinger might be a hindrance for the scorpion to crawl into tiny spaces. But that is not the case as this scorpion has the ability to flatten it’s stinger enabling it to squeeze into thin cracks.

The Arizona bark scorpion has the ability to gain access into homes through gaps and cracks or weaknesses in your doors, walls or windows.

Where are they found outdoors?

This scorpion is a nocturnal creature and will mostly come out at night to look for food. During the heat of the day, it will take shelter under objects to stay cool and protected from the sun. It can be found in the following areas

• wood lumber piles
• Inside the box of a sprinkler
• Under tree barks
• Inside a pile of rocks
• Gaps in block wall fences
• Cracks in concrete

Where it can be found inside homes

Once this scorpion gains access to your home, it will tend to seek darker undisturbed areas such as closets and other dark storage areas. Other areas that you stumble upon the Arizona bark scorpion in the house include:

• Inside shoes
• In clothing
• Inside bathtubs and sinks where it might have fallen at night while on the hunt

The scorpion looks for shelter when the sun comes out and will hide in clothes and shoes as shelter. It will likely sting should you put the cloth on or wear the shoe.

Bark scorpion sting

Interestingly, the Arizona Bark scorpion is non-aggressive and timid and will typically avoid contact with humans.

A huge majority of stings occurs when humans accidentally touch or step on the scorpion. This is because their sting is a reflexive action to protect themselves against an intruder or a predator.

Symptoms of the Arizona scorpion include intense pain lasting anywhere from one to three days. This is often accompanied a tingling sensation and one can also experience numbness in the sting area. Vomiting and nausea is not uncommon. In severe cases one might experience convulsions. In such a case it is recommended that one gets to a doctor. However, rarely does a scorpion sting lead to a fatality.

Conclusion

The Arizona bark scorpion has a tough exoskeleton that has been known to resist insecticides. However there are some potent insecticides that have enough punch to terminate them. To get rid of bark scorpions, the best course of action is by killing off their food source using pest treatments.

In case you have an overwhelming presence of Arizona bark scorpions in the home or yard, it is a good idea to call your local pest controller to help you get rid of them effectively.

Some people consider a scorpion to be a bug. But in actual truth this menacing creature is closer to the spider than the bug. The Scorpion is classified as an Arachnid. The same class is shared by other animals including ticks, Carmel spider as well as the scorpion.

Physical appearance

There are more than 1500 known species of Scorpions all over the world. Although they may differ in color and size, they tend to have the same physical attributes all across.

They all generally possess a menacing look and that is perhaps why a bite from a scorpion is so much feared. The body of a scorpion is divided into two. The front part also known as the cephalothorax, makes up the head as well half the body. The chelae is the scientific name given to the two menacing pincers at the front of the scorpions head. The function of this is to manipulate and handle food.

The abdomen is represented by the lower half of the scorpion’s body and is the part that carries the stinger. Scorpions have elongated bodies and segmented tails that are tipped with a sharp, venomous stinger. The stinger is a thorn like organ specifically designed for both offensive and defensive uses. The stinger is equipped with a gland ready to inflict a venomous wound from a single sting. Did you know? The Scorpion has the ability to sting more than once. But to sting repeatedly the scorpion must have some time to replenish its venom.

The venom in this stinger is potent enough to incapacitate prey. In some scorpions, this venom is poisonous enough to cause fatalities in humans.

What does a scorpion bite feel like?

The venom of a scorpion is known to contain as many as 50 toxins. While the sting of a scorpion is painful, of all the 1500 known species, only the sting of about 50 of them can cause fatalities to kids or adults.

To humans a scorpion bite feels like being stung by a wasp. The pain and swelling is very much like of a wasp sting. Unless you are allergic to a scorpion’s venom, normal first aid is enough for you to get on with your life in no time. However, those who are allergic to a scorpion’s venom, immediate medical attention is imperative for adults or children as the allergic reaction can quickly turn fatal. At the hospital, such allergic cases are often treated using an anti-venom.

How treat a scorpion bite

Incase an adult or child gets bitten by a scorpion, here’s what to do before you get to the doctor.

• Clean the stung area with mild soap and clean water
• Application of a cool compress to the affected area will help reduce pain and swelling
• One can experience difficulty swallowing after a scorpion sting. If that’s the case, don’t take any food or liquids
• Taking an oral pain reliever as needed can be of help in easing the pain. A pain relieve such as ibuprofen or Children’s Motrin among other may help lessen the discomfort

Conclusion

It is hard to imagine that some people actually keep scorpions as pets. Some varieties are totally harmless such as the Emperor scorpion which has a menacing look but is quite harmless and a good place to start for pet enthusiasts. In case of a bite by a scorpion, be sure to see a doctor just to make sure that all is well.

The whip scorpion is an arachnid scientifically known as a Thelyphonida. They look like scorpions but they feature a whip like tail. Scientifically they are known as Uropygi. Now these creatures are scary looking and they are native to the Arizona and other similar desert terrains of the United States, Texas, New Mexico and Florida. The good news is that they are not really scorpions although they look like scorpions.

Now the giant whip scorpion is also known as the vinegaroon mainly because it emits a vinegary smell when it feel threatened. They spray the chemical substance and towards their predators to ward them off and frighten them in the process. The giant whip scorpion is almost two inches long with a long thin trialing tail meaning from the rear.

These creatures are the dark brown of most scorpions and they have eight eyes. Two of the eyes sit at the front of its head while the other six are positioned on the sides of the head. The irony is this is that despite having eight eyes strategically positioned on its head this creature is known for extremely poor vision. They look like they have eight legs but they only use three pairs to walk around. The two longest legs which tend to protrude towards the front act as feelers which they use to sense their environment.

In the United States the giant whip scorpion is the only species of whip scorpion in the entire country. They are nocturnal creatures which stay burrowed in the ground during the day to stay cool from the sun and hidden from predators and by night they come out to hunt insects like termites and cockroaches.

The defense mechanism

The giant whip scorpion is not going to sting you not only because they tend to keep away from humans but also because they carry no venom and don’t have a stinger. Instead, to defend themselves they will spray you with their vinegary smelling substance and duck while you are distracted.

They generally do not come indoors so they have very few encounters with human beings. This is one of their successful defense mechanisms as well.

Life cycle of a giant whip scorpion

They mate during fall and they only mate during the night. In their lifetime the female will only produce one egg sac containing her eggs. When they hatch they look white and are immediately launched into the nymph stage and for a whole month they will be carried around by the female on her back until they molt once. This signals their readiness to leave the burrow. They will molt four times with intervals of a year between each molt and they may live for another three years as adults. In total their life span is roughly about seven years.