A scorpion is the last pest you want to run into on your property, with some species sporting venom potent enough to seriously injure or even kill an adult human being. They can be found all over rural areas in the Southwest but with humans encroaching further and further into what was formerly desert, encounters with scorpions are becoming more common.
Scorpions are arachnids, with most species being between two and four inches long and yellow to brown in color. They have easily recognizable large pincers and a long segmented tail with a stinger carrying venom.
Scorpions use their venom for hunting and defending themselves against predators. Fortunately, only a few species in North America carry venom strong enough to do any damage to humans. The sting from most scorpions in Texas produces an effect equal to a bee sting.
Scorpions hunt at night and spend most of the day buried under logs or rocks, looking for a moist environment. They feed on insects, spiders, and small lizards.
If you live in Texas, learning more about scorpions and their habits will go a long way to making yourself safe around areas they live in.
Let's look a bit more at the habits of scorpions living in Texas, how to repel scorpions, and if that fails, where to find quality pest control in Waco.
The Life Cycle Of Common Scorpions
While scorpions are arachnids, they do not lay eggs but give live birth after a long gestation period of up to a year. The number of young depends on the species and harshness of the environment but can be up to 100. Scorpion young, or nymphs, climb onto their mother's back and will stay there for a long time for protection. Nymphs will molt their skins as they grow up at least six times. It will take up to a year and a half for young scorpions to reach adulthood.
Adult scorpions are famous for their elaborate mating rituals, using what amounts to a dance to produce vibrations combined with pheromones they release to attract a mate. After mating, scorpion males will do their best to leave the area post haste since scorpion females (who are invariably bigger and stronger) tend to turn cannibalistic and make a snack of their former lover.
What It Means If You're Seeing Scorpions Around Your Yard
Scorpions live in family groups, and seeing one is a good indication of more hiding nearby. Scorpions follow their food, mostly insects and spiders. Starting to see scorpions in an area they did not use to frequent is usually a sign that you might be dealing with an insect infestation in the area.
Easy And Effective Scorpion Control Tips
As valuable as most types of scorpions are at keeping insect population numbers down, having a bunch of them settle in your backyard is not only inconvenient but can be dangerous.
Let's look at what you can do to make your place unattractive to them:
- Get rid of places they like to hide, like logs, rocks, and debris piles.
- Keep firewood away from the house.
- Get rid of any plumbing leaks or standing water on the property.
- Don't keep the outside light on at night, which will attract the insects that scorpions hunt.
Taking care of an insect infestation that attracts scorpions on your Waco property is the best way to get them to lose interest in your place.
How Do I Get Rid Of Scorpions In My Yard For Good?
At EnviroGuard, we're very familiar with scorpion infestations and the problems that arise from them. We've been helping Waco residents deal with these venomous invaders for over 40 years and would love to give you a hand with your scorpion problem. Reach out today, to get started on our effective scorpion control services in Waco.