Facts About Striped Bark Scorpions
This is one of the most common scorpions in the United States. It is found in Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, as well as parts of Mexico. You will find them both inside and out, hiding under rocks, logs, decaying organic matter, and even in the home. They get their name from their body colorations that help them blend in with their natural surroundings.
Stiped Bark Scorpions Stings
Although the bark scorpion sting is not usually deadly, it is incredibly painful. The affected area will swell and itch, as well as remain painful anywhere from several minutes to several days. Numbness and tingling sensations may also occur, along with blurred vision and muscle spasms.
If you are stung, immediately clean the affected area with soap and water. Apply a cold pack to reduce pain and swelling. If symptoms become severe, you should seek medical attention as quickly as possible.
Life Cycle & Habitat
These scorpions will begin mating in the fall, spring, and early summer months. Young are born alive, and embryos are nourished through a placenta. It takes around eight months for these embryos to develop. On average, females will give birth to anywhere between 13 and 47 young scorpions. Once they are born, the young scorpions climb on their mother’s back to molt. After this stage, they leave the nest. Young scorpions will molt up to six times before they reach adulthood. Fully grown, these adults can live up to 25 years. However, a normal lifespan will last up to eight years.
You’ll find these scorpions hiding in many different places outdoors like under rocks, boards, and debris. The name “bark scorpion” comes from their love of dead vegetation like decaying logs. These scorpions also enjoy climbing. Inside the home, you’ll commonly find them hiding in attics.
Bark scorpions are most commonly seen at night, foraging for food. This is because the temperature is usually cooler after dusk, helping them to conserve water and remain hydrated. Hydration is also aided by the waxy substance that covers their bodies. Scorpions will feed on a variety of insects that include spiders, centipedes, crickets, flies, and beetles. They will use their pincers to trap, crush, and ingest their prey. Their tails are used to sting and paralyze potential victims, making the insects easier to ingest.
Types of Striped Bark Scorpions
Bark Scorpion Identification
The bark scorpion will rarely grow to be larger than three inches, averaging around two and ⅜ of an inch in length. Male scorpions have longer, more slender tails than females. Their bodies fall somewhere between yellow and tan in color. The last segment of their bodies is usually either dark brown or black. There is always a triangular shape along the top of their heads that helps identify this variety. The name “striped scorpion” comes from distinct black stripes on top of its abdomen.
Striped Bark Scorpions in the Home
Scorpions only occasionally invade homes while seeking shelter and moisture. They can sneak inside under doors, through open windows or damaged screening, and any crack or crevice in the foundation.
Bark scorpions are usually found in crawl spaces and attics. Sometimes, during their quest for water, they may get into the main part of the house. You may see them trapped in sinks or bathtubs in the morning. The greatest concern comes when these nocturnal creatures try to hide during the day. If they are in the living space, bark scorpions may hide in folded clothes, shoes, or blankets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Get Rid of Bsrk Scorpions in the House?
The best place to start is eliminating their habitat. Remove any places where these scorpions can hide. Get rid of any garbage, organic material like logs or wood, stones, and rocks from the affected area.
Cut any tree branches that are hanging over the roof of your home. These scorpions like to climb, so removing these overhanging branches will help deter the scorpion from entering your home through cracks on top of the house. Plugging and sealing any holes around the structure’s foundation will also help deter the scorpions from entering.
There are natural means of deterring scorpions too. Oils of various herbs like rosemary, cinnamon, and clove are not well-liked by scorpions. While these will help with your scorpion problem, the fix may be only temporary. These solutions will degrade faster than a professional treatment. Treating around the foundation of your home and on the structure itself will help seal off any entry points. Indoors, any places scorpions could enter through should also be treated, such as doors and windows, as well as any nooks and crannies where they may be hiding.
What are the Benefits of Professional Bark Scorpion Pest Control?
A pest management professional has the education, equipment, and skills necessary to effectively address a bark scorpion problem.
Finding and treating the bark scorpions can be challenging, especially if they are spread throughout the property.
A pest management professional provides their expertise to identify the pest problem and determine the best possible solution to resolve the bark scorpion infestation.