By: Dr. ElRay Roper
Like stinging insects, scorpions can also become more than just a nuisance in a home — they can instill fear in families and homeowners. In areas where scorpions are prevalent, pest management professionals (PMPs) can thoroughly inspect harborage areas and around homes at night with a black light. The scorpions will glow turquoise blue in the black light.
Scorpions are ambush predators. They tend to not crawl around frequently, but rather wait in areas where their prey of smaller insects will travel. PMPs can take several steps to prevent and treat these elusive hunters:
- Habitat elimination — Scorpions hide during the day in small spaces that will keep them cool and moist. Removing harborages like rocks, trash, boards, containers, overgrown shrubbery and low-growing ground cover will provide fewer locations for scorpions to lurk.
- Exclusion — Scorpions can enter homes through even the smallest entryways. PMPs can offer exclusion services or advise homeowners to plug weep holes with porous materials; caulk roof eaves, pipes and other cracks; ensure window and door screens fit tightly; and install weather-stripping around windows and doors.
- Cracks and crevice treatment — Spot treatments in cracks and crevices with an appropriately labeled insecticide can help control scorpions.
- Food source management — Treating a home for other general pests can eliminate food sources for scorpions. Scorpions tend to feed in the same area unless it is disrupted or treated. Ants, roaches, crickets, spiders and flying insects are all viable prey for scorpions. A perimeter treatment can eliminate these nuisance pests, which can result in fewer scorpion populations.
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