Prospective Resident re: scorpions - scorpions

Does anyone know what would happen to my tiny toy poodles if they should get stung by a bark scorpion? Right now I am living in a condo in Rancho Vistoso and have come across three scorpions in the past three months (one dead, two alive). The poodles weight 5 pounds and 9 pounds. I also have three cats, and am worried that they could suffer severe consequences as well. One of my cats found the third scorpion the other night, but I scooped him up before he had a chance to play with it. My husband got rid of the scorpion, but I really don't want to take a chance regarding cats being immune to scorpion bites. It would be my luck that my cats aren't.

From everything that I've read, unless your dogs are old or frail, a scorpion sting will have no lasting effects. The area stung will swell, and then start to go down within a day or so. I've also never heard of a cat being stung with ill effects, only that they love to play with them. For the most part, the fur is too thick for a scorpion to sting, so it would be difficult for it to happen.

Normally, if a pet gets stung once, that's all the training they'll ever need to know how to deal with the situation in the future.

Regarding scorpions -- I live in Virginia and grew up in a little town where the weekly newspaper had a feature each week on who killed the biggest rattlesnake -- some just counted the number of rattles -- some jtook pictures holding the snake up by the tail -- the all time winner was the man who had to stand on a step ladder to hold his snake so it's head wouldn't touch the ground. Now these people didn't go looking for these snakes! They were found in barns, out buildings, backyards and, yes, in houses. Now, my point is: I have never seen a rattle snake in my life. Of course, they're not going to come looking for me any more than I'm going looking for them. Are scorpions aggressive or do they just get themselves into situations where they can't escape humans? Every place has it's creepy critters. Oh, yeah. Virginia has a lot of black widows, too. I have seen these. One in motel room -- not a good night's sleep afterwards! Oh, and there was the house moccassin I found in my bathroom once in a rental house in the woods. Oh, geez. My skin is starting to crawl talking about this! But I had to put in my two cents --

Would the person who stated that, from what he has read, a scorpion bite to a dog should not be fatal, please list the sources of his reading? I'm trying to put my mind at ease after our 8 year old dog suddenly and unexepctedly died while we were on vacation. We have had a scorpion annoyance (not really a problem) since we moved into our Arrowhead home. We have three cats in the house hoping they will help control the scorpions. Not sure if true or not, but I've heard that cats help keep scorpions under control and have a natural immunity to scorpion venom. I have been worried about the dog and scorpions, but tried not to be paranoid as I see lots of dogs in the neighborhood, even some that seem to be out in people's yards most the time. I guess what I'm hoping is for some reassurance that my choice of a home in which to live didn't doom my dog to an early and untimely death due to a scorpion bite. I have no evidence she was bite, and do not know why she died. But, the scorpion theory was the first thing that came to me because her death was so sudden and preceeded by diahrrea. Thank you.

Gary,

I moved to a suburb of Phoenix 2 years ago from Arkansas. I am still totally freaked out by the alien creatures. We did adopt a cat after we moved here and he has so far killed his fair share of scorpions in turn making him the king of this house in my books. I have heard many different things about cats and scorpions, each one being different. Our cat has never been stung and always is looking for them. I personally believe the reason he does not get stung is because of his thicker hide and fur along with the quickness cats possess and their ability to see so well at night (the scorpions most active time). I believe your cat would not only be safe, but also be your most valuable asset with these nasty weird freaky alien scorpions.

Also, as far as locations....

I have heard many different things and can honestly say from block to block some people have them and some don't. We have fruit trees and them seems to attract the bugs they like, but apparently if you have a larger amount of lizards in your area they will eat the scorpion food source. Also we spray every month and it has not made a difference thus far. They do become less visible in the winter and I have been told they hibernate...so you get a break.

Do be aware however you will not die from the bark scorpion sting, but will be a bit miserable for a few hours. They tend to run at you not away. You can search with a black light and a shoe and kill them first (this makes me feel re-empowerd), and the smaller ones tend to allow more venom just like snakes.

All in all, Arizona is beautiful in my books. No tornadoes, earthquakes, or hurricaines, so I deal.

amy

Here is the way I look at the spiders and scorpion issues, coyotes, mountain lions and bears.

If you move onto their street, by their house (the desert) they get to visit you any time they want.

They were here first.

I have lived in Arizona for 30+ years and not until last night - YES- February 4, I am frightened of a scorpion in my home. I have walked right past rattle snakes, never been frightened! So I say be frightened and use your black lights to see them and get a cat. I would have never know I had a scorpion if I never had a cat.

hello we bought a home in goodyear june 2006 and moved in on the 10th of the month, we started to see scorpions right away and were completly freeked out. we came from out of state and had no idea there was a chance of scorpions in your home. we were in the home 3 weeks when I called it quits. no sleep in those 3 weeks either, I actually slepted in my car, at a hotel and back where we came from, untill we decided that this place wasnt for us. we are currently trying to get our money back because it was not disclosed to us that the home had scorpions. I would recommend the state of arizona require all home sellers to have to disclose the strong fact that you will probably see scorpions. riverratz

I would recommend the state of arizona require all home sellers to have to disclose the strong fact that you will probably see scorpions.

But it's not true. The reason you saw scorpions was because of where your house was. Anytime you're near new construction, the edge of the valley, or natural desert, you're going to run into that. However, the vast majority of Arizona homes do not have scorpions.

I was born here in Phoenix and have lived here my whole life. I do a lot of camping and hiking in this state as well. And other than in captivity (i.e. the zoo), I have never seen a scorpion.

If you don't have luck getting your money back for the house, I'd recommend getting a cat.. they'll take care of the scorpions for you.

I was just reading over some of the postings here and wanted to comment, (even though this is a fairly old thread). For those of you afraid of the critters such as scorpions, tarantulas, widows, etc. I would like to say that if you multiplied your fears times 100, that would probably be a fair estimate of how these critters feel when they encounter humans. Really, the only two creatures that you need worry about is the Black Widow and the Bark Scorpion. They both get a fairly bad rap as far as information goes regarding the strength of their venom. On a healthy adult, the bite (widow) or the sting (bark scorpion), does not typically create a life threatening situation. The good news....these guys would prefer to stay as far away from you as possible. Why you ask?????

1) Any normal size adult shoe is about 100 times larger than the creature.

2) You can eradicate them with bug spray from a safe distance - they, (if they were truly smart enough to "hunt humans," have to climb upon you to deliver a bite.

The bites and stings that occur from the above mentioned, are typically the result of "lack of awareness." Putting on shoes without checking, jumping into bed without first checking for "sleepy scorpions" (Sidenote: If you have a "Sleep Number Bed," scorpions prefer an 85 setting) Reaching blindly to grap things such as boxes in the garage, wood from the wood pile, pruning the bushes, etc. Unfortunately for me, (notice I say unfortunately), I live in Seattle where I have to travel at least 2 hours to find any of these creatures. And...if I want scorpions or spiders from AZ, I have to pay dearly for them! When I read your posts the first thought that comes to my head is "Lucky!" I have worked with scorpions and widows for many years. I have handled Black Widows and Bark Scorpions (not recommended though!). They are not aggressive and will only bite or sting if they find themselves in a situation that they deem life threatening. So....fear not my Arizona friends!

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