Scorpions are an ancient insect that have been around for 430 million years…longer than the dinosaurs! They are extremely distinct with pincers in the front and a curved tail in the back which sports a stinger that always seems poised to strike. Their body is covered in an exoskeleton made of segmented chitin, which gives them an “armored” look.
Habitat
Scorpions live everywhere on the planet except Antarctica. They are especially common in desert and high desert climates like those of Southern Utah. Surprisingly, even areas with harsh winters like Cedar City STILL have a healthy scorpion population, so don’t assume you’re protected by the cold!
Scorpions love living under rocks, so if your yard has large gravel, large stones, or boulders you’re inadvertently living in a scorpion paradise. They also love living inside cliffsides and retaining walls made with large boulders where the cracks provide perfect little homes for them. That said, they can wander inside as well and can seek refuge in towels, robes, and shoes…so if you’re dealing with these pests it’s a good idea to shake those objects out before you use them!
Glow in the Dark
Scorpions also glow under UV light, and scientists aren’t exactly sure why they evolved to do this. Some speculate it helps them deter predators under moonlight, but that’s just a theory. Many people enjoy going outside with a UV light to “hunt” scorpions. If you’re wary about scorpions in your area, you could always try this method to be certain.
Big Stings Come in Small Packages
Another thing that’s important to know about scorpions is that the smaller the scorpion, the more painful the sting. This is because larger scorpions rely more on their powerful pincers for hunting, but smaller scorpions don’t have that advantage, and so make up for it by having more powerful venom. Unfortunately for us the smaller scorpions have an easier time getting into our homes.
A scorpion’s sting is painful, and is comparable to a wasp sting, but most are not especially dangerous, except for the Arizona Bark Scorpion found only in Kane County, which is the deadliest in all of North America. It’s sting can cause severe pain, numbness, tingling, vomiting, temporary paralysis, and breathing issues and is especially dangerous for children and the elderly. So if you’re stung by one, seek medical attention immediately!
Get Rid of Them!
But if you prefer to not have to look over your shoulder and shake off your towels then call Newby’s Pest • Lawn • Weeds at 435-586-7337 to protect you and your home today! Or click the button below to schedule online:
