By: Kristel Usener
Member of the Big Country Master Gardeners
This month’s bug of the month is the Scorpion. Scorpions are in the Animal Kingdom, Phylum Arthropoda, Class Arachnida, and the Order Scorpiones. Scorpions’ preference is a dry habitat, so it is no wonder they are common in our area. They can be a nuisance when they interact with us because they do sting when disturbed.
In our Big Country area, the common scorpion found is the striped bark scorpion (Centruroides vittatus). Adults are about 2 ½ inches long. Striped bark scorpions are yellowish tan with two broad, dark stripes running the length of the back and a dark triangular mark on the front of the head above the eyes. A scorpions’ body becomes slenderer toward the end and has a five-segmented tail that can be arched over the back. The tail is longer on males than females.
Striped bark scorpion mate in the fall, spring or early summer. Females have a gestation period of 8 months, and the young are born alive in semitransparent sacs. Once the young free themselves from the thin sacs, they climb onto their mother’s backs. After about 2 weeks the young scorpions begin to fend for themselves. The females can give birth to 13 to 47 young at a time and produce several broods in their lifetime. The typical lifespan for a striped bark scorpion is 3 to 8 years.
Scorpions are nocturnal, hiding during the day and becoming more active at night. This behavior helps them manage temperature and water balance. Striped bark scorpions can be found both indoors and outdoors. Striped bark scorpions are active foragers that do not burrow and are associated with dead vegetations, fallen logs and human dwellings. It is common for striped bark scorpions to climb trees and walls, and they often are found in the attics of homes. Striped bark scorpions eat small insects, spiders, centipedes, earthworms, and other scorpions.
The stings from striped bark scorpions produce only moderate reactions in most people because the poison has little effect on the nervous system. Severity of the sting is dependent upon the individual scorpion and the person’s reaction to the venom. A person who is stung by a scorpion should be watched closely for adverse reactions. As with any arthropod venom, allergic reactions are possible. An ice pack applied to the affected area will relieve some pain. If swelling and/or pain persists or if breathing difficulties occur, immediate medical attention if necessary.
Scorpions are difficult to control with insecticides alone. Therefore, the first control strategy is to modify the area surrounding a structure.
- Remove all trash, logs, boards, stones, bricks, and other objects from around the structure.
- Keep grass closely mowed near the structure. Prune bushes and overhanging tree branches away from the structure. Tree branches can give scorpions a path to the roof.
- Store garbage containers in a frame that keeps them above ground level.
- Never bring firewood inside the structure unless it is placed directly on the fire.
- Install weather-stripping around loose-fitting doors and windows.
- Plug weep holes in stone or brick veneer structures with steel wool, copper mesh, pieces of nylon scouring pad, or small squares of screen wire. (Steel wool will rust when wet, so it should be used only on dark-colored facades.)
- Use sealant around roof eaves, pipes, and any other cracks into the structure.
- Keep window screens in good repair. Make sure they fit tightly in the window frame.
If you have any questions, call the Taylor County Extension Office at325-672-6048 or email us at mgardeners@yahoo.com. We hope you visit bdmgtx.org for more information on all Big County Master Gardener events, like us on BCMGA Facebook, and check out training presentations on BCMGA YouTube. We are here to help you.
