While they look and act similar to insects, scorpions are actually arachnids. There are about 1,200 different species of scorpions worldwide, but only three are in Florida. All three species live between three and five years in homes and yards. Pensacola pest control professionals can get rid of these potentially dangerous pests to keep you safe. Read on to learn all about scorpions and how to keep them away from your house.
Habits And Behaviors Of Common Scorpions
Most types of scorpions are nocturnal, so they only come out at night. During the day, they hide under stones, logs, boards, and fallen tree branches. They become much more active in the dark and sometimes return to hiding before dawn.
These pests typically remain in dry habitats outdoors. However, they'll go into houses if someone disrupts their natural habitat. For example, new home construction might destroy their habitat, causing the scorpions to search for a new place to live.
Scorpions usually hide during the winter and rarely enter houses because the cold weather makes them stagnant. They typically invade homes during the rainy period of late spring and early summer to avoid a wet habitat. After entering a home, these pests usually find hiding areas in crawl spaces, walls, and attics.
These arachnids are known for their stings but only do so to kill prey or defend themselves. When hunting, they sting to immobilize or stun their prey, making them easier to catch. If they feel threatened, scorpions will sting the threat or use their pincers to fight it off.
Why You Don't Want Scorpions Crawling Around The Property
The primary danger of having scorpions on your property is their stinging ability. They usually produce mild symptoms, but some species can be more dangerous.
Some of the symptoms caused by scorpion stings include:
- Burning sensation
- Restlessness
- Slurred speech
- Drooling
- Muscle twitches
In most cases, the mild symptoms caused by a scorpion sting will subside within 48 hours. However, those allergic to scorpion venom might require medical attention. The most dangerous scorpions are bark scorpions because their stings can be life-threatening.
How Can I Naturally Keep Scorpions Away From My House?
Once scorpions get into your home, you'll need professional pest control to get them out. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to keep them from entering your house in the first place.
Some tips to keep scorpions away from your Pensacola home include:
- Eliminate shelter sites like woodpiles, trash, debris, large stones, and lumber.
- Store firewood away from your home and off the ground.
- Seal gaps and crevices around doors and windows.
- Repair damaged screens around your home.
These tips will help you avoid a scorpion infestation in your home. However, these pests can also hide in various objects, such as shoes, clothing, and towels left outside. Keeping these items inside when you're not using them will help to avoid a scorpion interaction. Shaking these items before putting them on is another good way to avoid getting stung, especially if scorpions are known to be around your property.
When you remove their access to your home, scorpion activity around your house might increase as they search for a new place to live. In this situation, you should call a dependable pest control company for help. They'll get rid of scorpions, so they're no longer around your property.
How To Completely Get Rid Of Scorpions On Your Property
Scorpions can be dangerous, especially if you're allergic to their venom. Even if you get them out of your house, they might stay in your yard if you have attractive places for them to live. When these pests show up on your property, you should call the experts at EnSec Pest & Lawn to help. Our service team members have the experience and expertise to eliminate these potentially dangerous creatures and ensure they don't return.
When you call us for scorpion control, we'll provide a free inspection of the interior and exterior of your home, allowing us to provide an accurate estimate for service. We design our treatment around your pest problem and provide follow-up visits to ensure it's successful.
We also recommend annual service, allowing us to provide pest protection year-round. Changes in weather can cause different problems, and our yearly plan includes quarterly service visits to ensure pest protection during each season. Additionally, we offer pest-specific services for bed bugs, fire ants, mosquitoes, and termites. Call us today if you have scorpions or other pests around your home or yard.