If you’ve lived in San Antonio long enough, you know how normal it is to have scorpions around your property. These creepy pests are very common but make no mistake, some scorpion species can be very dangerous. If you keep spotting scorpions around your San Antonio property, or if you want to know more about the effects of a scorpion sting, we have the best advice that residents can hear about these painful pests.
San Antonio’s Scorpion Identification Guide
There are dozens of scorpion species throughout Texas, but only a few that San Antonio homeowners need to worry about. All of these scorpions share the same general features. They have elongated bodies that curl into a tail and stinger, supported on eight legs. Scorpions also have two arms that reach past their heads, making them look like a dangerous tangle of limbs.
The following three scorpions are the most likely to infest your property:
- Striped Bark Scorpions. These scorpions grow to between 2 and 3 inches long, have tannish bodies, and are the biggest threat to San Antonio families.
- Giant Hairy Scorpions. These scorpions grow upwards of 4 inches and, as their name suggests, are covered in dark hairs.
- Stripetail Scorpions. These scorpions grow to between 2 and 3 inches, have yellowish-brown bodies. They have stripes that run along their tails, ending with a darkened stinger.
No matter the species, scorpions are pests you want to avoid. From a distance, these pests can actually be quite beneficial. Scorpions are arachnids, like spiders, that eat other insects and help control pest populations. It’s only when they get too close that these venomous creatures become worrisome.
Should I Be Scared Of Scorpions?
Scorpions are large and aggressive pests, and they’re likely to use their stingers multiple times. Bark scorpions are the most venomous, but all scorpion infestations can cause health problems to San Antonio families.
Bark scorpion stings are usually not lethal, but if stung, you should seek medical attention. The venom from a bark scorpion can cause heart palpitations, erratic muscle movements, and other cardiopulmonary issues. Children, animals, and people with pre-existing conditions should be very wary of bark scorpions. Even if you know the scorpion that stung you isn’t a bark scorpion, always seek medical attention.
No matter the species, all scorpion stings are painful. Many victims describe a burning sensation like a more intense bee sting. Like bee stings, scorpion stings can cause intense swelling and reddening. Scorpions have no place near your property.
Scorpion-Prevention Tips
Scorpions are most likely to stay near your property because their prey is nearby. Because scorpions feed on insects and spiders, their persistent presence near your San Antonio home may indicate another type of infestation. To keep these dangerous pests away, consider the following as part of your prevention plan:
- Check for other infestations around your property, especially in common hiding spaces like near water drains, around crawl spaces, and in your basement.
- Smooth down rough surfaces outdoors. Scorpions like to climb on rough surfaces like trees and concrete walls but they will settle down elsewhere if your property has few of these.
- Remove hiding spots around your lawn, such as rocks, leaves, lumber piles, and tall grasses.
- Cover up any entry points in your home’s masonry, including windows and door frames. This will also help keep out other pests which attract scorpions.
If scorpions are attracted to your property, they will eventually move inside. Before this happens and these arachnids endanger your family, contact the pest professionals at Romney Pest Control. We’ll make sure these scary pests stay away from your family and take care of any infestation that may have attracted them.
