Prospective Resident re: scorpions - scorpions

I've seen a similar question on here about these critters. I live in Virginia and am seriously considering moving to Tucson.

My hang-up....maybe even a phobia...are scorpions. Oh, not outdoors, but inside. I've done a lot of reading via the internet but it hasn't made me feel much better. The thought of these trespassers, inside, at night, is not a comforting one. I've read the bark scorpion (naturally, the poisonous one in AZ) is the most likely to seek an inside living arrangement.

Then I read that the antivenin, made from goats, is no longer manufactured and there are only 100 doses remaining. A new antivenin is under drug trial (which has a less allergic reaction) but won't likely be available for a year. I am a little concerned about this as I have HIV and hence a compromised immune system.

Lastly...I have a cat I would bring with me. I've read cats are thought to be immune to the bark scorpion sting. I asked an employee at the fascinating Sonora Desert Musuem during my recent 'look see' in Tucson about how a scorpion and cat might interact (eg. would the cat try to fiddle with it or have the intuition to avoid it?) The employee thought the cat would kill the scorpion, and that due to the cat's thicker hide and fur (compared to a human,) the scorpion probably couldn't land a successful sting.

Would anyone with a pet cat in AZ be kind enough to share any experience relating to the above? I don't want my cat killed by a scorpion, if that would in fact be likely.

As for myself...I'm trying to work through my fear of this creature...however one goes about that.

Many thanks to anyone who can take a few minutes to reply:)

Gary Manassas VA

Gary,

My hang-up....maybe even a phobia...are scorpions. Oh, not outdoors, but inside.

This depends on the area that you live in. I live in a suburb of Phoenix, and have never lived in Tucson. But the same rules apply. If you're more inner-city, you're less likely to find wildlife, including scorpions. However, if you live on the outskirts, you're more likely. I've lived in various places around Phoenix my entire life, and have never found a scorpion indoors. I know a few people that have, and there are usually particular areas that have these kinds of issues. You can generally find this out from the neighbors.

Lastly...I have a cat I would bring with me. I've read cats are thought to be immune to the bark scorpion sting.

I don't think this is true, and I wouldn't rely on it.

I asked an employee at the fascinating Sonora Desert Musuem during my recent 'look see' in Tucson about how a scorpion and cat might interact (eg. would the cat try to fiddle with it or have the intuition to avoid it?)?

I think the cat would play around with it, and then ultimately kill it.. I've noticed that's what cats tend to do with insects that they find around the house.

and that due to the cat's thicker hide and fur (compared to a human,) the scorpion probably couldn't land a successful sting.

This is true.. it will be more difficult for the scorpion to sting with the cat's thick fur.

I don't want my cat killed by a scorpion, if that would in fact be likely.

While it's very unlikely to receive a scorpion sting, they can be painful and cause damage similar to a bee sting.

As for myself...I'm trying to work through my fear of this creature...however one goes about that.

The main reason to not be afraid is that it is so unlikely.

Thanks, NickCoons, for taking time to reply! It was both pragmatic and useful. A first-hand account such as yours can't be obtained by reading internet articles.

I just have to work on my apprehensions. No need for me to make a decision prior to fall anyway, since airlines will not accept pets for cargo shipment until after Sept. 15, and, when temperatures at arrival and departure points are <85 (or <75...it's ambiguous the way they word the regulations.)

In any event, at the end of the day, so to say...I would hope I wouldn't let this scoprion thing derail me!

Gary Manassas VA

Please, friends, do not put your dog or your cat or any pet in airline cargo. I have heard many terrible stories about that. I am moving with to Tucson with my most precious cat, driving a car. Hope you will too! Read: The New Natural Cat, by Anitra Fraiser.

Scorpions scare me too! But several long time residents of Tucson with cats assure me that "Cats know what to do if they see a scorpion," but that in the central part of Tucson you don't see them in houses.

Other friends who live in wilder areas say that when they employ a montly exterminator they have no scorpion problems, even living out in the desert. Another fellow I know lives on an acre of wild desert and does not exterminate; he said his kitten was bitten on the nose by a scorpion but had no problems. I was encouraged by this. So maybe it's true when they say, "it's like a bee sting." I sure hope so.

Thanks for the scorpion feedback, Photobelle. I realized (or remembered) the other day...when something is, uh..."bugging" me over some period of time...my pattern is that I finally get tired of thinking about it. I'm not sure that will occur with this one, but my concerns should diminish.

I wish I didn't have to ship my cat via cargo on a plane...but there's no other choice. She can't be taken in the cabin unless her and her carrier can fit under the seat in front. That seems to rule out anything larger than a squirrel! At least there is one flight, on one airline, which doesn't require a plane change...just a stop. Hence she can't go astray at the intermediate city by being put on the wrong plane or such.

Gary Manassas VA

My dearest Gary,

As a New Yorker, an animal lover and a scorpion hater having to deal with Arizona, let me sympahthize with your plight. OK...lets roll...

1. you are afraid of the bark (and other scorpions) Rightfully so. But knowledge is power, and a couple of different kinds of scorpions (not just bark) go into houses.

remedy: for any property you are considering living in, have a professional pest control business assess your home, at night with a black light. This way, they can ascertain how much of a problem you have since the scorpions can flouresce under black light.

2. Your cat: My first encounter with a scorpion was with my boyfriend's big fat orange tabby cat, which pounced on and caught a scorpion in its teeth while I watched terrified from the couch. Yes, cats know how to catch prey. They can die from bark scorpion bites, so take them to the vet ASAP if they are stung. The tabby cat was not stung and I eventually killed said scorpion after getting it out of the cat's mouth with a lure of Star Kist tuna.

3. Your HIV status: this means you must protect yourself from the bark scorpion. You also must be careful with the lesser bites of others. Professional pest control will kill the critters and ease your mind. Make sure dusting and spraying are done after sunset.

Good luck and health J

Hi There J,

Thanks for taking time to reply to my earlier post!

My concerns not withstanding, last week I finally made the decision to move to Tucson. I definitely am going to have a pest control outfit case the apartment, as they will secure any cracks or openings which would permit the offenders' entry. Ergo, if they can't get in, and there are none already in, there ought not to be any in the future (striving to think rationally here!)

Of course I will be prudent and not walk about inside in the dark, check my shoes in the morning, etc. Hopefully those cautionary aspects will prove to be more distracting than ever experiencing an actual "sighting."

Since I won't move until October, when the ground temperatures allow cat shipment on the airlines, the scorpions will probably be less active in those temperatures anyway, allowing me time to adjust before the next summer rolls around.

Well wish me luck...actually I'm not really neurotic...well maybe just a tad:)

Gary Manassas VA

I just saw your message about cats and scorpions. I live in Tucson - Oro Valley actually - and while looking up cats and scorpions (becase I just found a dead scorpion in my house) saw your posting. I can only assume one of my cats killed it. This is the second time I have found one dead. Both cats seem fine so I really don't know if they don't get harmed by the bite or if its the fur and the way they handle it. These dead ones are the only ones I have seen but they seem to indicate that they are about.

snip

Gary,

I have lived in Tucson for 16 years, and I have had cats the entire time. I never even saw a scorpion in my house until I moved to the southeast part of Tucson almost two years ago. Since then, I have found four live scorpions in my house.

I was told that scorpions tend to appear in areas where there is ongoing construction. Several new subdivisions and shopping centers are being constructed in my area, so that could be the cause.

At any rate, the first scorpion we found stung my then 9-year old daughter as she was getting into bed. I called the poison control center, and they said that she should feel a little pain and numbness for a while, and that should be the extent of her suffering. We didn't even need to take her to the hospital unless she developed complications. Sure enough, she was fine except for a little pain and numbness.

Two of our scorpions were found by my 1-year old orange tabby, who has a heart condition. I killed and disposed of the scorpions before she had the chance, but in neither case did she seem to suffer from her brief contact with them.

All four of our scorpions were found in the evening and early morning hours, and they occured between the months of February and September. I do spray the perimeter of my house for bugs, but evidently, not often enough!

By the way, if you are looking for a good veterinarian for your cat when you get to Tucson, I recommend the Cat Hospital of Tucson or Feline Limited Cat Clinic. I have had great experiences with the vets at both places.

Good luck with everything!