If you find a scorpion in your home, that single encounter is often enough to fuel a variety of arachnophobic nightmares about eight-legged creepy-crawlies hidden around your home.
Scorpions are classified by most pest experts as an Occasional Invader. This means that they typically do not enter homes with the purpose of establishing an infestation. Instead, a variety of different factors can attract scorpions into your home.
But the important question is: Does spotting one scorpion in your home imply that more are active? The answer may surprise you.
Scorpions are solitary, predatory arachnids. As such, they do not establish nests that increase in size and population. Generally speaking, a scorpion enters your home in pursuit of prey. Oftentimes, they enter the home late in the evening as they are nocturnal predators. However, they are extremely skittish by nature, and this will often lead them to hide when daylight returns.
While prey can draw scorpions indoors, other factors can also play a role. These pests prefer dry, warm environments. A sudden cold snap or significant rainfall can force scorpions out of their natural habitats and into your home.
Scorpions are typically reclusive in nature, and this leads them to seek out lowlight areas to hide during the day. This can also be a factor leading them into the home as they will sometimes enter cracks or gaps in the exterior of the structure or more traditionally through vents or piping systems.
As a side note, entering exterior piping is what often leads scorpions into bathtubs and sinks. In some cases, they will crawl up out of the drain and become stuck.
Once inside the home, scorpions will often select hiding spaces that fulfill these same environmental requirements. Some of the more common areas to find them include:
- Crawlspaces
- Closets
- Areas with lots of debris and clutter
- Inside shoes and boots
- Garages
- Shelving
- Beneath large appliances
- Under beds or other furniture
Homeowners should exercise caution when searching for scorpions. While they are not aggressive by nature, they can and will sting when threatened. Though most species are relatively harmless, some have powerful venom that can require medical attention. If you are stung by a scorpion, it is important to practice first aid, sanitize the wound, and seek medical attention if necessary.
So to get back to the original question, if you spot a scorpion in your home, is that an automatic sign that a large population has infiltrated? The truth is that spotting a single scorpion is not a definitive sign that others are lurking nearby. That being said, a female scorpion can lay hundreds of eggs at a time and thus a scorpion population could emerge if left unchecked.
Further, the presence of scorpions in your home indicates an exploitable avenue that they and other pests can use to gain access to your home. This could mean that scorpions and other, more destructive pests could enter in future.
The best way to deal with that security vulnerability is to call in a licensed pest control professional to inspect your home and identify any potential conducive conditions that are increasing the probability of infestation.
At Volunteer Rid-A-Pest, we have decades of experience in the pest industry, and we want to be your ONE CALL solution to any pest problem! We offer a wide range of treatment options designed to target and eliminate pest problems safely, quickly, and effectively! All of our treatments are offered at fair prices, and backed by an industry leading satisfaction guarantee that ensures that you have a hassle-free solution to your pest problems!
So if you are dealing with Scorpions, or simply have a question, call us today at 423-698-7205 OR 423-472-7736!
By: Erik
