A Review of Scientifically Proven Methods for Getting Rid of Scorpions
There are two ways to get rid of scorpions. The first one is to completely eliminate or limit the likelihood of encountering these venomous pests. A clean and neat lot, closed holes and cracks at home, closed shoes and wearing garden gloves will exclude the possibility of being stung.
The second way is to isolate or kill a scorpion that you have faced. You can catch and carry it away; there even exist special devices made for this purpose. They can be killed with a sharp stick, a heavy object or with an insecticide as well.
To avoid the unpleasant encounter, specialists recommend keeping the house and its surroundings clean and in order. The University of California expert, E. T. Natwick, recognizes the importance of storing shoes, clothes and towels indoors and wearing protective gloves and shoes when working outdoors. Shake towels around the swimming pool and shake all clothing and shoes before putting them on. Wear shoes outdoors, especially during the evening hours. A portable black light (UV light) may be used to look for scorpions in and around the home. Scorpions glow brightly under black light and are therefore easily found and removed.
Scorpions can penetrate buildings through holes and cracks in the windows, doors or plumbing systems. They are attracted by their prey, insects. It is recommended to use the less attractive yellow light outdoors in the regions where they are widely spread. It is equally important to remove open water in the house or around it, or at least limit the access of scorpions to it. Pay special attention to the bathroom and seal the cracks near water and the passage of sewage pipes through the walls.
How to Find Scorpions in Your Home
The easiest way to find hidden scorpions is by searching them out with an ultraviolet (UV) blacklight. Turn off the lights after the sun has gone down, and shine the blacklight on piles of linens, in your pantry, and other dark and quiet places scorpions may be hiding. Scorpion’s exoskeletons glow under the light, making them easier to detect and get rid of before they have a chance to sting. Since scorpions can spend months in your home, it’s better to search them out instead of waiting for them to catch you off guard when you least expect it.
How to Prevent Scorpions In Your Home
Once you’ve dealt with the stress of removing a scorpion from your home, you will want to make sure you never have to go through it again! Luckily, scorpion-proofing your home is a fairly simple process. Our experts recommend to:
- Check your weather-stripping. If you can slide a business card under your weather-stripping, there’s enough room for a scorpion to wiggle through! Try patching up bare spots or installing new thicker weather stripping if your current weather stripping is too thin.
- Caulk or plug the spaces where electric lines or water pipes enter your house. Scorpions don’t need much of an opening to sneak into your home, so be sure to check your kitchen and bathrooms for areas where pipes come out of the wall. If there are any gaps, fill them in to prevent scorpions from sneaking through!
- Close all window cracks, door openings, and screen openings. While Arizona does have beautiful weather, leaving doors and windows open is an open invitation for scorpions to invade. If you do decide to let in some fresh air, make sure screens are in tact to keep scorpions out!
- Keep the outside of your home and garage clean. Scorpions hide in debris. Cut your grass low and trim down trees and shrubs that are outside homes to scorpions before they enter into your own house. Also keep your garage neat and tidy so there aren’t good places for scorpions to hide.
Here are some good practices when trying to get rid of scorpions;
- Use yellow outdoor bulbs for your house external lighting. Yellow light does not attract scorpion as much as white light does.
- Keep your home dry and clutter-free as scorpions like murky, dark places.
- Avoid piling up firewood and other debris around your home or in your yard.
- Seal all leakages, holes, and crevices around your home.
- If you decide to go scorpion hunting, ensure you have the necessary protective gear and equipment.
Natural Repellent:
Lavender and cedar essential oils are said to be the best repellents. You can mix 20 drops of the essential oil of your choice, with water. Spray this mixture around window casings, doorframes and around foundation areas. Inside, spray around baseboards (may stain so test it first) and inside closets or anywhere else that could be used as a hiding place.
Better Safe than Sorry: Always shake out shoes, clothing and bed clothes. Don’t put your hands or feet inside anything that you can’t see into. Wear gloves when moving firewood, rocks and debris. Most people are stung by a scorpion that’s just trying to defend itself.
How to Keep Scorpions Out of Your Bed
Although some people enjoy having scorpions as house pets, most people typically think of scorpions as pests. Fortunately, there are many simple methods to keep these creatures out of your home — especially your bed. This article will go over how to keep scorpions out of your bed to ensure that you’re able to sleep peacefully at night.
1. Fix Cracks and Holes
Look for any cracks and holes around your bedroom, then caulk all of these possible entrances. Some common places where scorpions can enter include vents, walls, fittings, drains, or even ceiling fixtures. Also, pour down the drains of the septic system on a weekly basis to prevent scorpions from entering through these parts.
2. Allow Friendly Spiders to Live
How to Keep Scorpions Out of Your Bed There are a few types of pest-catching spiders that can kill scorpions. Thus, make sure to allow these non-harmful creatures to live in your home. However, remember to remove all food sources for other insects and pests such as ants, cicadas, cockroaches, and cricket.
3. Plant Lavender and Citrus
Another effective way to keep scorpions out of your bed is to plant plants such as lavender around the perimeter of your bedroom. Also, it’s a good idea to clean and refresh your room with lavender scented essential oils. The smell of lavender will deter these pests from entering your living space while bringing a pleasant fragrance to your home.Citrus is also a good deterrent. You should grow citrus in small pots near the entrances and spread citrus oil cleaners in your bedroom to have the same effect.
4. Clear Up Your Backyard
Another effective way to get rid of scorpions is to remove their hiding places in your yard. These places include: lumber, rocks, compost heaps, and firewood. If possible, it is better to move these materials away from your house. Also, always keep the lawn mowed, and cut overhanging branches or bushes to keep them away from your bedroom.
5. Have a Cat or Dog in Your Family
Cats and dogs are known to catch and kill mice and scorpions around the living space. You might think this is cruel, but it’s actually a natural method to remove these creepy-crawlies from getting onto your bed. Many people believe that this can do harm to their beloved pets, so make sure to consider carefully before trying this method. Do not force your dogs or cats to catch a scorpion. Instead, just encourage them, and they will willingly and innately go for these pests.It is also a good idea to set a few chickens around the garden so that they can eat up the bugs. Chickens are not fussy, meaning that they will also munch up scorpions that cross their path.
6. Try Night Shifting and Hunting
If you are willing to shift scorpions manually to your backyard, this would be done during the nighttime. Consider using a blacklight or ulta-violet lights to search for these creatures, since they are florescent under these types of light. Also be sure to wear protective gear when hunting for scorpions. You should wear a sturdy pair of boots and collect these creatures with tongs.Be sure to dispose of them in the local grassland, forest, desert, or wherever they live instead of killing them, because scorpions are beneficial to our ecosystem.
7. Be Mindful of Your Bed and Bedding
An easy solution to keeping scorpions off of your bed is to move it away from the wall. A couple of inches away from the wall will do, and putting the feet of your bed in mason jars will help too. Since scorpions can’t climb on smooth surfaces, this will be an extra barrier that’ll prevent them from climbing on your bed.You also need to make sure that all of your bedding and sheets are off of the floor. This includes any blankets, sheets, pillows, and anything that scorpions can use to climb up and onto your bed.
8. Use a Smooth Surface
Hang a smooth surface such as plastic or glass around your bed, from the ceiling to a few inches above your floor. This will prevents scorpions that are climbing on the ceiling from dropping onto your bed. Keep in mind that you must use a smooth surface and nothing like cardboard. If the surface even has the slightest bit of texture, scorpions will be able to climb on it.