Prospective Resident re: scorpions - scorpions

I have lived in arizona in the city for a few years, and I got stung by a bark scorpion, it feels like a very hot thick nail has been jabbed into you and stays like that for hours, my husband the same thing, my older brother as well, although he was allergic and had to go to the hospital, my husband and I were not allergic, but still had to deal with the overwhelming pain.

Gary: I certainly understand your arachnophobia! I, as do you hate the sight of the little critters. The occurance of indoor scorpion infestation mostly has to do with your local topography. Mountainous locations seem to be the worst areas to be in. Other things such as trenching and excavation associated with construction can disturb them, causing them to migrate indoors. I live in a northern suburb of Phoenix (Cave Creek) and can tell you that scorpions are no strangers in my household. We routinely find at least 3-4 per month! Or should I say that Midnite (our 20 lb cat) finds them. He usually plays with them and seems to bite off their tail before eating them. They like to hide behing big screen televisions or other items that give off heat. You can tell when one is in the house as Midnite will staulk it being visually glued to it till he can get at it. Yes, bark scorpions have a particularly venomous sting, but you ain't seen nothin' yet till you've seen the giant desert hairy scorpion! The thing is usually 6-9 inches in length and has the most ugly hairy appearance on it's abdoman. During the spring they cary their young on their backs and it is quite a sight to see dozens of baby scorpions go scurrying about your kitchen floor after you thought that you smashed it with your shoe! All in all, don't worry about it- there is nothing you can really do anyway. They are here to stay. P.S.- a two story home with your bedroom on the upper floor is your best bet, as contrary to most reports they really don't climb as much as they are proported to. Hope this helps.

Anthony

I'm currently a Marylander... but a desert savvy expatriate of Yuma/Fallon. I also own cats. Cats are immune to scorpion stings. DO NOT run around barefoot in the desert. Not even at home. Those old cowboys wore boots for a reason.

Third generation Arizonan.

We were always taught to not put your hand where you can't see, shake out your boots before putting them on, and LISTEN.

I live in N. Central Phoenix, former citrus area, and we have scorpions. Some may have been imported when we moved Dad's stuff in from the desert 30 mi. out of town, as we have two varieties. The only time anyone has been stung is when they reach under stacks of boards that were left undisturbed, and PUT THEIR HANDS WHERE THEIR EYES COULDN'T SEE. Unfortunately, I have also seen them in the house, which is understandable because our dog door is just a loose flap! They usually chase crickets into the house, so if you remove hiding places for scorpions and crickets near the doors, there won't be much of a problem. The Bug Man can't really kill scorpions, but they can eliminate crickets. I usually try to make my backyard friendly for bug eaters. We have lots of geckos, birds, wall lizards, bats, owls, etc. No poisoning the environment in MY yard (exception for termites). The young cat loves to hunt birds, but recently she seems to be eating scorpions, too. You need to know their habits. They come out at night, and in the day, hide in dark places like under rocks and old wood and leaves. My brother is a Dr. and all he would give to someone who has been stung by a scorpion is Valium, because one of the side effects is anxiety. Black widow spiders are also creepy, but not aggressive, and we generally go out at night and stomp them when they are in full view on their webs, and gather egg sacks up and remove to garbage. I only saw one rattle snake upclose, and that was in someone's house in S. Arizona. I was frightened but also very thankful that it had coiled and rattled loudly to warn me. I called my hostess and she got her man to kill it. This was at night, and it was just trying to find a way out of the house. So, remember, even though you don't speak the same language, these critters are just trying to live in their ancient neighborhoods. Lu

I have lived in Arizona for 25 years and never once saw a scorpion until I moved to a new development 3 years ago. It is in Arrowhead Ranch by 75th Ave. and Loop 101. This whole area is INFESTED with bark scorpions. I have already been stung once in the kitchen sink and ended up in the emergency room. I am afraid for my cat, who is not healthy to begin with, that she will get stung. Twice I have caught him nose to nose with one in the kitchen, but killed it for he got stung. I live in fear, I really do, and I hate this house!! I never walk barefoot, I always check the sink, bathtub, shoes, towels, everything. I hate living like this. Does anyone want to buy a house???

I live in Tempe, AZ. I found a scorpion tonight in my apartment, which is on the second floor. I also have a cat and have heard the rumors that they are immune. The first time I found a scorpion in my apt was about 2 months ago. Which makes 2 scorpions in my place in 2 months. My cat actually found the first one and DEFINITELY wanted to play with it. Luckily, I was nearby and got her out of the room before she had the chance to get stung. But she was howling from the other room because she was so pissed she couldn't play with it. So I would be careful. I do not live in the middle of nowhere and have found 2 in 2 months. I'm moving in a month and will be happy to get away from these terifying creatures.

In regards to the scorpions and spiders of Arizona, they are here, but I have lived here for 40 years and have seen one scorpion, two snakes, no tarantulas, a couple of wolf spiders, more black widows than a few, lots of daddy long legs. None in my home, except the daddy long legs. If you keep wood for fireplaces around your home, black widows should be watched for. As a rule, living anywhere is, don't stick your hands into areas you can't see. Bugs like to live there. The main thing you need to give respect to, in the high desert, is the heat. I hate to say this, but Arizona is perfect! We live a very safe life, no earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes. Only the freeways high speeds and crazy drivers as the biggest "natural disasters". In areas that are under a lot of new home construction, you can see snakes and spiders being displaced and ending up on peoples properties. Our fire dept.'s get lots of calls for removals. We are displacing them because we are moving into their areas, but just keep in mind that they are a whole lot more afraid of us! They will try to get away from you, not attack you. Most bites from snakes are to young males who have been drinking. Don't mess with them, either of them for that matter!

The bark scorpion is a common sight in Arizona, but it's sting is NOT life threatening to anything over 20 pounds. (If your baby is stung, take him/her to the hospital. Otherwise, take an aspirin.) Myself and friends of mine have been stung by bark scorpions. The result is discomfort bordering on pain, numbness near the stung area, and a general sick feeling. It only lasts about a day or so. If you're really worried about these things, get a cat, or get several. In the 14 years I've lived in this house, (next to a large span of desert) I've seen literally hundreds of dead scorpions, and only dozens of live ones. I attribute this to my cats, and their love of hunting small critters. I've watched my cats get the scorpions from time to time, and they seem to have no problem whatsoever killing them. If you can't have an animal patrolling your house, then your only recourse is to properlly seal your house, and it will not be perfect. Black lights (ultraviolet) work wonders, and in a dark house scorpions can be VERY easily seen. Even nests can be lightly seen through walls, or in our case, a brick fireplace. Scorpions are in your house looking for a nice temperature, darkness, and water, nothing more. (They seem to be partial to wood. Piles of dry wood are scorpion apartment complexes.) They will only sting you if they feel highly threatened (I.E. you slap at them), or if you are a cricket.

I am looking into moving to Bullhead City Arizona and am concerned about scorpions as well, as I've heard that Bullhead City is scorpion capitol...don't know if that's true? (any advice from residents on scorpion variety, etc?) I have one cat and a raccoon and am worried because the raccoon sticks his hands into everything where he can't see, though at 40 plus pounds, I would imagine a sting wouldn't do much. Why do people use the typical cliches like "scorpions are more afraid of you" etc etc etc, when there is story after story of the little SOB's dropping on top of people and crawling on them? They sound bold and aggressive to be quite honest.

If they crawl up walls and drop on top of you, I think it's just random that they land on you. I don't think scorpions are intelligent enough to construct such a premeditated plan :-).