Chandler's Handy Guide To The Striped Bark Scorpion

Scorpions have been portrayed in movies as vicious and dangerous creatures. One sting from one of these venomous pests and you will be dead in minutes, or at least that’s what Hollywood wants you to think. The truth is, not all scorpions are dangerous, and even the ones that are rarely kill. To help you better understand these pests, we will be talking today about Chandler’s most common scorpion home invader, the striped bark scorpion. Here is everything you need to know about these pests.

What Is A Striped Bark Scorpion?

The striped bark scorpion, also known as Centruroides vittatus, is the most common scorpion home invader here in Chandler. Identify this pest by its 2 ?” yellow to tan body, eight legs, two front pinchers, segmented tail with an attached stinger, and the two distinguished blackish stripes on the upper surface of its abdomen.   In and around homes, the striped bark scorpion lives in cool, damp areas. Outside these pests will hide under rocks, boards, dead vegetation, and fallen logs. Indoors, you are most likely to find them hiding in basements, crawlspaces, and other secluded moist areas.

Why Do Striped Bark Scorpions Invade Homes?

The outside world is rarely kind to pests. As temperatures rise and fall, and storms come and go, scorpions often find themselves looking to homes to find shelter. If a striped bark scorpion is near your home and feels threatened by the current climate, they will look for any way possible to get indoors. Construction can also stir up nearby scorpions and push them into adjacent buildings.   Another reason scorpions invade homes is to hunt for insects and arachnids. If your home is notorious for having trouble with these types of pests, scorpions might want to join in on the fun.

How Dangerous Is The Striped Bark Scorpion?

A striped bark scorpion possesses a potent venom that it stores in the stinger on its tail. This venom is powerful enough to immobilize and kill prey that these pests hunt. It is not strong enough, however, to kill a person, at least not in general circumstances. The only time a sting from one of these pests is fatal is if the person attacked is stung several times or if the individual has an allergy to insect venom. If you are not allergic to insect venom, a single sting from one of these pests will be painful, but by no means life-threatening.

Prevention Tips For Scorpions

The good news is that scorpions are preventable. If your home does not currently have a problem with these pests, here are a few tips to use to keep them out.

• Keep your grass cut short and trim back bushes and tree branches from your home’s exterior.

• Eliminate sources of water build up in and around your home.

• Make sure your gutters are clear and flowing properly.

• Use a dehumidifier indoors.

• Fix leaky piping and fixtures in and around your home.

• Use a caulking gun to fill in holes, gaps, and cracks in the exterior of your home.

• Repair damage to window/door screens, weatherstripping, and door sweeps.

• Keep unscreened doors, and windows closed as much as possible.

• Clean your home regularly.

• Turn off exterior lights before going to bed at night or invest in insect-resistant bulbs.

To take your scorpion prevention to the next level, get the experts at Green Home Pest Control involved. Our team only uses the highest quality, most environmentally friendly treatments and methods to handle pest problems around Chandler homes. If you are looking for a reliable solution that won’t break your budget, we have plans designed for you.   Give us a call or contact us through our website today to discover your perfect solution to pest problems.