Florida Scorpions

Florida Scorpion Facts

Florida is home to three species of scorpions, but don’t worry, none of Florida’s scorpions can deliver a fatal sting to humans.

The bark scorpion — also known as the brown bark scorpion or slender brown scorpion, is the largest of the species found in the sunshine state. An adult Florida bark scorpion can grow up to four inches long.

The hentz striped scorpion is the smallest and most common species, ranging up to two and a half inches long.

The Guiana striped scorpion is found only in Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Collier County, but is a native to the Bahamas and Cuba. The Florida bark scorpion and hentz striped scorpion can be found throughout most of the state.

Florida Scorpion Stings

Florida scorpion stings are not considered dangerous, although it can be painful like a wasp sting. The site of the sting may swell and get sore. If you experience a severe reaction to a scorpion sting, seek emergency medical help.

Scorpions rarely sting people, only stinging if they are trapped against a person’s skin.

Florida Scorpion Infestation

Scorpions are arachnids and have eight legs. They also have a pair of claw-shaped pincers and a curled tail with a stinger. Scorpions catch prey with their pincers before using their stinger to inject nerve poison into the prey. Scorpions feed only at night and eat a variety of insects including termites and spiders, making them a natural form of pest control. During the day, scorpions seek shelter beneath rocks, logs, or loose bark.

Types of Florida Scorpions

Florida Scorpion Identification

Florida Bark Scorpion

The Florida bark scorpion is the largest of the three species found in this state. This scorpion ranges in size from two to four inches and is reddish-brown to black with yellowish legs. Bark scorpions typically hide during the day under bark, stones, and piles of wood.

Hentz Striped Scorpion

This small scorpion ranges in size from two to two and a half inches and is the most common in Florida. It has a tan to dark brown body and sometimes has yellowish-green stripes across the width of the abdomen. This scorpion may also have a pair of dark stripes running the length of its body.

Guiana Striped Scorpion

The Guiana striped scorpion is limited to Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Collier counties. Its size falls between an inch and a half to three inches long. It has a yellow body with a brownish area on its back along with two dark stripes that run lengthwise.

Florida Scorpions in the Home

Scorpions will crawl inside homes while following their insect prey and are usually found in crawlspaces and attics. They are also often found in newly built homes.

These critters will sometimes get stuck in a sink or bathtub while searching for water during the night, giving people a scare in the morning. If a scorpion makes its way into the living space, it will take shelter anywhere it can when the sun rises. This is why scorpions have been found in shoes, folded clothing, blankets, and bedsheets.