There is no doubt that it gets hot in Texas during the summertime. This summer is no exception and in fact, it is hotter than most people have ever experienced before. At this point, you’re probably waiting for the punchline and you may even be thinking, “how hot is it?” Well, this isn’t a joke and it is so hot in Texas that the scorpions are even going inside. It’s true, they are trying to get out of the heat.
Entomologists in Texas are now receiving reports about scorpions that are going indoors. Like humans, they don’t appreciate the extremely high temperatures so they want to make sure that they cool off and they look for a comfortable home to do it. In most cases, you would find a scorpion under a rock or a log but when the summer heat gets to oppressive, they may look for refuge under paving stones, landscaping materials or near a home. If they have access to the home, they may just go inside.
“We’ve had two or three wetter, more moderate summers in a row, but this year we’re getting more of the weather people tend to expect when they think of summer in southern and central parts of Texas,” says Keck.
Scorpions tend to be more active at night so they hide during the day. According to Quincy Brown, an Agrolife extension service entomologist, “This behavior helps them manage temperature and water balance, which are important functions for survival in dry habitats.”
How Do You Keep the Scorpions Out Of Your Home?
According to the entomologists at Texas A&M Agrolife extension service, there are a few ways to keep the scorpions from entering into your home.
The first thing you should do is to keep any debris away from the home, including firewood. Don’t bring it into the house until you’re ready to set the wood on fire.
If you have trees or bushes that touch the house or even hang over it, trim them back so it is no longer a problem. Keep the grass cut shorter when it is close to the house.
Garbage cans should be stored in the frame so they are not directly on the ground.
Windows and doors should be equipped with weatherstripping and make sure the screens are tight around the window frame.
One final thing that you can do is to fill any weep holes in the brick, stone or stucco. Pack them for copper mesh or steel wool. Use caulking on any cracks or crevices that you see in the exterior walls.
Should Pesticides Be Used?
Many people might consider the use of pesticides when keeping scorpions out of your home. There are some natural pesticides that may work well.
Included among the natural pesticides for managing scorpions are various types of essential oils. Those include cinnamon, rosemary, clove, peppermint and thyme. These natural oils will break down more quickly than a pesticide so you need to reapply them regularly. You might also find benefit when you plant lavender near the home.
If you decide to go with a synthetic pesticide for controlling scorpions, it is best if you contact a pest control expert in advance. You can also check for products that have active ingredients of permethrin, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, propoxur, carbaryl or bifenthrin.
If you do find scorpions in or nearby to the home, entomologists recommend that you apply pesticides around the foundation of your house and 1 foot up above ground level on exterior walls. You can also apply the pesticides around the windows, doors and eaves. Make sure that all possible entry points are covered.
On the inside of the home, treat the areas of potential entry with pesticides as well. Make sure that you apply it according to the instructions.
What If You Are Stung by a Scorpion?
The Mayo Clinic says that symptoms associated with a scorpion sting usually stick near to that area. It can cause intense pain but it does not typically require a trip to the doctor. If you are very young or elderly, however, you are likely to have more symptoms associated with a sting.
Watch for any signs of an allergic reaction, including the difficulty with breathing times. Seek immediate medical attention if those issues become apparent.