How to Get Rid of Scorpions

If you’re dealing with a scorpion infestation, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will teach you how to get rid of scorpions, identify common types, and use the best scorpion pest control products to protect your home. Whether you prefer professional treatments or DIY scorpion pest control, following these steps will help you take back your space.

What is Scorpion Control and Why It Matters

Scorpions are nocturnal arachnids found throughout the United States, especially in the Southern and Southwestern regions. While most species in the U.S. are not deadly, the Arizona Bark Scorpion is venomous, making scorpion pest control a crucial part of keeping your family safe.

Scorpions hide under rocks, wood piles, and other debris and may enter homes searching for shelter. Knowing how to get rid of scorpions in your house starts with proper identification and inspection.

How to Identify Scorpions

Understanding what a scorpion looks like is key to effective scorpion control:

Body: Long, slender with a segmented tail ending in a stinger.
Legs: Eight legs and a pair of pincers in front.
Size: ½ inch to over 8 inches; most U.S. species are around 2 inches.
Color: Yellow, tan, reddish-brown, blue, or black.

An image of a scorpion glowing under a blacklight.

Is a Scorpion an Insect?

Scorpions are arachnids, not insects, as you would think. They are close relatives to spiders, mites, and ticks.

Inspecting Your Home for Scorpions

Before applying treatments, inspect areas where scorpions may hide. Wear gloves, shoes, and long clothing for protection.

Outside Inspection:

Under mulch, pine straw, and wood chips
Under flower pots, stones, and retaining walls
Coiled hoses and foundation cracks
Under temporary shelters like plywood with rocks on top

An image of a magnifiying glass inspecting a drawing of a house.

Inside Inspection:

Attics and garages (striped bark scorpions are common here)
Closets, shoes, and piles of clothing
Curtains and curtain rods
Beneath furniture

Pro Tip: Use a UV Tracker Light to detect scorpions at night. They fluoresce under UV, making them easier to spot.

Common Scorpion Species in the U.S.

1. Striped Bark Scorpion

Size: Up to 2 ¾ inches
Color: Yellowish-brown with two dark stripes along its back
Habitat: Indoors and outdoors under vegetation, debris, and rural structures
Sting: Mild swelling; not typically deadly

An image of a striped bark scorpion eating a cricket.

2. Arizona Bark Scorpion

Size: 2.7–3.1 inches
Color: Pale yellow, turning orange after molting
Habitat: Homes, tree bark, walls, ceilings
Sting: Painful and potentially dangerous; seek medical attention if stung

An image of two bark scorpions resting on a rocky surface.

3. Arizona Stripetail Scorpion

Size: 2–3 inches
Color: Pale yellow with darker stripes on the tail segment
Habitat: Rock crevices, under bark, and desert regions
Sting: Mildly painful; not considered life-threatening

4. Arizona Hairy Scorpion

Size: Up to 6 inches
Color: Yellowish body with darker back and furry appearance
Habitat: Deserts, sandy areas, under rocks and logs
Sting: Painful; mild swelling; generally not harmful to humans

5. California Common Scorpion

Size: 1.5–3 inches
Color: Light tan to brown
Habitat: Arid regions, under debris, rocks, and vegetation
Sting: Painful; not medically serious for most people

An image of a yellow colored scorpion lying on a rock.

Knowing the species helps determine the best scorpion pest control strategy.

Step 1: Remove Hiding Places

Clear rocks, wood piles, and debris from your yard
Prune shrubs and remove leaf litter
Seal gaps around doors, windows, pipes, and wires

Step 2: Apply Residual Insecticides

Residual insecticides are the most effective method for scorpion control. Recommended products include:

Application:

Spray a 3–10 foot band around the perimeter of your home
Treat potential harborage areas inside and outside, including attics, closets, garages, and baseboards

Step 3: Use Insecticide Dusts

Insecticide dusts work well in attics and wall voids:

Apply using a hand duster or garden duster (like the Dustin Mizer) to cracks, crevices, and electrical fittings.

Step 4: Glue Boards for Non-Toxic Control

Place insect glue boards along walls and under furniture as a non-toxic method of DIY scorpion pest control.

Prevent and Exclude Scorpions From Your Home

An image of a scorpioon inside a red tennis shoe.

Seal gaps around doors, windows, and vents
Repair leaky air conditioners
Use weather stripping and tight-fitting screens
Shake out shoes and clothing before wearing
Avoid walking barefoot in scorpion-prone areas

Combining prevention with insecticides and dusts ensures long-term scorpion control.

If you find your scorpion infestation to be serious enough to the point where you are not confident you can handle the pest control on your own, it may be worth contacting local professional pest control companies. In most scorpions, though, using the methods and treatments we have described here is more than enough to execute an effective pest control plan for your home.