Scorpions are found within the state of Kentucky, confirming that these arachnids are not exclusive to desert climates. For residents, encountering a scorpion can be a surprising event. This guide provides an overview of the specific species that call Kentucky home, details what to expect from a sting, and offers practical strategies for avoiding them.
Identifying Kentucky’s Scorpion Species
The only scorpion species known to live in Kentucky is the Southern Devil Scorpion (Vaejovis carolinianus). This species is sometimes called the Plain Eastern Stripeless Scorpion. Adult Southern Devil Scorpions are relatively small, typically reaching a maximum length of about 2 to 2 5/8 inches.
Their physical appearance is characterized by a dark reddish-brown body that lacks the distinct stripes seen on western species. They possess a pair of thick, long pincers, used primarily for catching prey, and a wide tail ending in a stinger. Like all scorpions, they fluoresce a bright greenish-yellow under ultraviolet (UV) light, which is useful for nighttime detection.
Where Scorpions Are Found
The Southern Devil Scorpion is common throughout the wooded areas of the southeastern United States, including many Kentucky counties. Specimens have been documented in areas such as Adair, Fayette, Hardin, Marion, and Pulaski counties. They prefer environments with high humidity and are often associated with rocky areas, especially those around lakes and ponds.
Outdoors, they are nocturnal hunters and spend their days hiding in dark, protected micro-environments. Common hiding spots include under rocks, logs, loose tree bark, and dense leaf litter or mulch piles. Scorpions may become accidental invaders, entering homes through small gaps and cracks while foraging for water or shelter. Once inside, they seek out dark, dry, and undisturbed spaces like crawl spaces, attics, or behind stored items.
Understanding the Sting and Symptoms
The venom of the Southern Devil Scorpion is low in toxicity and does not pose a significant danger to healthy adults. A sting is typically compared to a bee or wasp sting, causing immediate, sharp, and localized pain. This initial pain is often followed by symptoms at the sting site, including redness, soreness, mild swelling, tingling, or numbness.
These localized effects are usually the only symptoms experienced, and the discomfort typically subsides within a few hours. However, any scorpion sting carries the risk of a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis. Children and the elderly are at a higher risk for more pronounced systemic symptoms due to their smaller body mass or compromised immune systems.
If a sting results in symptoms beyond the immediate area, seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms include muscle twitching, difficulty breathing, slurred speech, or unusual eye movements. These systemic effects suggest a more significant reaction to the neurotoxic components of the venom.
Prevention and Removal Strategies
Preventing scorpions from entering a home centers on exclusion and environmental modification around the property. Exclusion involves sealing potential entry points. This can be accomplished by installing weather stripping around doors and ensuring window screens are fully intact. Sealing gaps where utility lines, such as pipes and wires, enter the structure is also important, as these are common pathways for wandering scorpions.
Modifying the outdoor environment reduces available habitat and shelter, making the area less appealing to scorpions and their prey. This includes removing wood piles, stacks of bricks, or construction debris that sit directly on the ground. Reducing ground cover like leaf litter and keeping grass cut short limits the protective cover these nocturnal arachnids rely upon. If a scorpion is found indoors, it should not be handled directly. Instead, it can be safely captured using a jar or container and released outside, or removed via vacuum cleaner.