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Scorpions
(Scorpiones)

Scorpion2.jpeg

Scorpions are part of the Arachnids class and are related to spiders, ticks, mites, and more.

Appearance
 

  • Their body has four pairs of walking legs

  • They have pedipalps or claws in the front

  • Their tail curls up and has a stinger on the end

  • They have a pair of median eyes at the top center

Behavior, Diet & Habits
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Scorpions prefer dry climates and are mostly active at night or on cloudy days. You can find them in shady locations (under rocks and vegetation, in underground holes) during the day because they are sensitive to the loss of moisture and avoid the sunlight.

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Scorpions invade their prey’s home and use their stinger to inject the neurotoxic venom, which paralyzes or kills the prey. Scorpions can only take in their food in a liquid form and will dispose of any solid matter before ingestion. This is also how they obtain water, from their prey. Scorpions’ prey consists of insects, centipedes, spiders, birds, lizards, mice, centipedes, other small bugs and even other scorpions.

Reproduction
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Female scorpions carry their eggs inside the body. When the babies are big enough to leave the female’s body, she carries them on her back. They will stay on their mothers back until their first molt (shedding their exterior skin). Small scorpions look similar to adult scorpions.

Signs of an Infestation
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The only sign of a scorpion infestation is to actually see scorpions.

Treatments
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Scorpions become a problem when they leave their outdoor habitats in search of a place with more food sources. This could include your home. To prevent this, seal possible entry points with sealant or mortar. These include gaps under doors, ground-level windows, gaps surrounding plumbing pipes and utility lines that enter the home, and cracks and gaps in the foundation. Scorpions also gain access by hitchhiking inside of boxes, firewood, potted plants and outdoor furniture. Once inside, scorpions typically seek out basements, crawl spaces, and hidden places under kitchen cabinets or in garages and bathrooms.

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At the first sign of a scorpion infestation, contact your local pest control professional. They can assess the situation and determine the most effective methods of extermination.

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