Scorpions Move In Homes As Temperatures Rise

SAN ANGELO, TX — Scorpions are a familiar creepy crawler around these parts and as temperatures go up, and they are, these little guys try to find cooler spots.

Just like us, scorpions don’t seem to like extreme cold or extreme hot. As triple digits are in the foreseeable future these guys may start making appearances in households.

Texas has 18 species of scorpion. They are flat creatures that tend to squeeze their bodies into tiny areas and sneak into homes. Scorpions usually can be found in small cracks, under stones, bark, wood, or other objects.

Scorpion stings are not severe unless an allergic reaction occurs. For the most part, ice and over-the-counter medication can fix it. However, victims of scorpion bites should be watched for a few hours after the sting to make sure an allergic reaction does not occur. “Sever cases may need anti-venom,” according to Web MD.

KTXS talked to Molly Keck and Wizzie Brown, both entomologists with AgriLife Extension Service, about the best defense against scorpions from getting into your homes:

• Keep debris and firewood away from the house.
• Prune any trees or shrubs touching or hanging over the house.
• Keep grass near or touching the house closely mowed.
• Replace weather-stripping around doors and windows as necessary.
• Fill weep holes in stone, brick or stucco homes with steel wool, copper mesh or screen wire.
• Seal cracks, crevices and areas of pipe penetration in exterior walls with sealant.
• Keep window screens in good repair and make sure they fit tightly into the window frame.
• Treat the foundation of the home with a pesticide with ingredients such as permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, carbaryl or propoxur.