How To Identify And Get Rid Of Striped Bark Scorpions Around Your Plano Home

Do you have a fear of scorpions? We can understand why you might. While most scorpions only cause wounds with localized pain and swelling, there is one that is considered highly venomous and causes medical symptoms. It is the Arizona bark scorpion. The Arizona bark scorpion is the most dangerous scorpion species in North America, and we have populations of this species in Texas. But they live in the western part of the state, not here in Plano. The bark scorpions we have here are striped bark scorpions that are not considered a medical threat. While not venomous, like Arizona bark scorpions, it is still good to know how to identify striped bark scorpions because they commonly scale Plano homes and come in through tiny gaps. It is best to see these pests coming. Let's look at striped bark scorpion identification, what dangers these scorpions present, and how to get rid of scorpions on your Plano property. 

If you're currently dealing with a scorpion infestation, keep in mind that you don't have to read an article about scorpion pest control to address your problem. You can immediately reach out to All-Safe Pest & Termite for scorpion pest control in Plano. With that said, let's get into today's topic.

How To Identify A Striped Bark Scorpion

It is relatively simple to identify a striped bark scorpion. It has a light tan coloration and two dark lines running down its back. Toward the head, on its back, is a triangular-shaped marking. These scorpions range in size from two to four inches in length. They have four pairs of legs and a segmented tail with a stinger at the tip.

While easy to identify, you're not likely to see one of these scorpions unless you uncover it in a hiding place. To find one, you'll have to turn over boards, dead branches, pallets, and other wood sources.

At night, you can find striped bark scorpions by using a black light because they glow in black light. Unfortunately, so do all of the other scorpion species. So, when you see them, you may have trouble seeing their markings in these lighting conditions.

On top of the difficulty of recognizing them by the two dark lines and triangular marks on their backs in ultraviolet light, their small size makes identification an even greater challenge. You'll have to get close, and we don't recommend doing that. While not a medical threat, it is unpleasant when a striped bark scorpion stings you. The pain and irritation can last for days, and the numbness can cause concern. How worried should you be? Let's take a quick look.     

The Dangers Of A Striped Bark Scorpion's Sting

We are often asked, "Are bark scorpions deadly?" The question arises from the issue we mentioned above. Arizona bark scorpions have the potential to be deadly. But even with Arizona bark scorpions, human mortality cases related to the species are not well substantiated. If we should start to find Arizona bark scorpions in our area, you don't need to fear them. They are not nearly as dangerous as you've heard.

So what about striped bark scorpions in Plano? Are they dangerous? Striped bark scorpions are the worst of all the different kinds of scorpions in our area. Not because they're dangerous. They get the title "the worst" by being common household pests. If they were dangerous, we'd be in trouble.

A sting from a striped bark scorpion is similar to a bee sting and considered similarly dangerous. Individuals who are allergic could have severe symptoms if they have an extreme reaction. But this is rare. 

In most cases, striped bark scorpions are not harmful pests. They don't hunt humans and try to sting them. They hide in secluded spaces and hunt bugs.    

Helpful Tips To Prevent Scorpions Around Your Home

If you prefer not to have bark scorpions in your home, whether they are harmful or not, we have some good news. There are many ways to prevent these pests from getting inside. The following tips are entirely all-natural, and some of them will give you long-lasting protection from striped bark scorpions.

1. Remove water sources. 

Scorpions look for water sources to drink. Step one is to remove drinking water.

• Remove objects that capture rainwater.
• Apply tarps over things that you don't want to remove to cause rainwater to run onto the ground and dry up.

2. Address moisture problems.

Scorpions need to keep their skins hydrated. They dry out and die off if they don't. Moisture problems can create puddles that offer drinking water. These tips will help to prevent that as well.

• Clean your gutters and remove obstructions that cause water to build up and run over the sides.
• Repair breaks in your gutter system so water doesn't run out and saturate your perimeter soil.
• Trim your landscape vegetation to let the wind move through your plants and keep things dry.
• Remove weeds, unwanted grass, and other unnecessary vegetation in your landscaping. These trap moisture.
• Address plumbing leaks, such as leaking spigots or hoses.

3. Remove hiding places.

Scorpions hide from the sun to prevent themselves from getting dehydrated. Any object that prevents sunlight from getting through will work.

• Use a leaf blower to push leaves out of your landscaping and collect them. 
• Remove leaves from underneath structures.
• Collect sticks in your yard and store them in a bin.
• Move stacked wood, construction materials, and other wood sources away from your exterior.
• Remove yard clutter.
• Put toys away.

4. Seal gaps, cracks, and holes in your exterior.

Scorpions get in through entry points in your exterior. When you take the time to seal these openings, it makes a big difference. 

• Use cans of expanding foam for a quick and somewhat messy solution. Be cautious when applying foam because it will stick to your skin. Apply this to seal obvious openings in your exterior where you're not concerned about appearance. 
• Use a caulking gun to seal entry points in areas where curb appeal is important. You can get caulking material that matches your building materials. It is also easier to mold and shape. Use this product to create seals around window and door frames. 
• Inspect your window and door screens for rips, holes, and other damage. Replace screens if possible. If you need a quick and cheap patch, some great how-to videos are available on the internet.
• Inspect your exterior doors. If you can see sunlight from the outside during the day, those gaps are likely large enough to allow striped bark scorpions into your home. Replace your weatherstripping and align double doors to remove the gaps. 
• Check to make sure all your exterior doors have door sweeps. If not, install them.
• Inspect siding and gaps between wood members. Use foam or silicone caulk to patch these gaps.
• Inspect your water main and wire conduits that enter your home. Apply a seal around these trouble spots. Consider doing the same around pipes that enter underneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks.
• Inspect ventilation and make sure you have caps on all your vents.
• If your home has weep holes, make sure your weep holes have protectors installed.

5. Remove Access

Bark scorpions are excellent climbers. They scale trees, bushes, and plants. While they may climb the sides of your home, they're more likely to get to high entry points by using vegetation near your home.

• Trim tree branches away from your exterior.
• Trim bushes and landscaping plants away from your exterior.
• Create at least a 1-foot patch of dry ground near your foundation.

You can keep scorpions out when you address what attracts scorpions and seal the entry points they use to get inside your home. The exclusion work is hard, but it is well worth the effort. When you fill gaps and cracks in your exterior and replace protective building materials, you'll keep out a long list of pests. 

The Safe And Effective Way To Get Rid Of Striped Bark Scorpions

If you don't have the time, skills, or energy to deal with scorpion prevention, don't worry. The service team at All-Safe Pest & Termite has you covered. We offer layers of protection from common pests, like the striped bark scorpion. We apply granular products to reduce pest activity on your property and cut down on scorpions and the bugs that scorpions eat. We apply a liquid crack and crevice treatment to your foundation to prevent scorpions from scaling your walls and finding a way inside. The process we use is scientific. We use inspections, treatments, follow-ups, and evaluations to put in place a program to keep scorpions and other pests out of your Plano home. If necessary, this includes targeted control and ongoing monitoring of scorpion activity on or inside your property.

Contact us if you want to learn more about our residential pest control plans and how we provide coverage for scorpions. We look forward to guiding you toward a solution specific to your needs and concerns.