Don’t get discouraged facing scorpions

Dr. Janis Reed, BCE, Technical Services Manager, Product Development Team, Control Solutions Inc.

Scorpions get no love! Because they are only considered pests in certain geographic areas, many pest management professionals (PMPs) never encounter them, even in long, storied careers. However, the PMPs who fight scorpions know how challenging they can be.

The basic management techniques for seasoned scorpion fighters are well known: Clean up debris, reduce entry points, caulk where appropriate and reduce ways scorpions can climb to gain access.

But why are scorpions such a problem? First, they are large in relation to insects, and this means it takes more pesticide to control them than their insect cousins. Second, they are arachnids, not insects — and most of the pesticides we use are designed to control insects, so they are less effective on scorpions. Finally, scorpions don’t have a centralized nest or normal harborage like many other pests we face, so pesticide applications and control measures must be holistic on the property.

Don’t get discouraged when facing these pests, however. They are tough for all who face them.