Scorpions can climb beds, but their success depends heavily on the surface texture and the species involved. Specialized physical adaptations allow certain species, such as the Arizona Bark Scorpion, to be particularly adept climbers. Understanding how these arachnids scale vertical surfaces is key to implementing effective physical barriers to secure a sleeping area. Prevention strategies must exploit the specific limitations of their climbing ability.
Scorpion Climbing Capabilities and Surfaces
Scorpions navigate surfaces primarily using specialized structures on their legs, namely tarsal claws, which function like tiny grappling hooks. These paired, claw-like appendages allow them to latch onto minute irregularities in a surface, such as the fibers of fabric or the texture of drywall. The ability of a scorpion to climb is therefore directly proportional to the roughness of the material it encounters.
The Arizona Bark Scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) is known for its superior climbing skills, sometimes utilizing sticky, pad-like structures called pulvilli alongside its claws. This combination allows them to easily scale textured materials like stucco, brick, unfinished wood, and even painted drywall. They struggle significantly, however, on slick, non-porous surfaces like polished metal, glass, or smooth, sealed plastic. This limitation is a key principle in establishing effective physical defenses for a bed.
Factors That Draw Scorpions Indoors
Scorpions are drawn indoors by the stable environment a house provides. They are sensitive to extreme temperatures and seek shelter to avoid intense heat or cold snaps. This search for thermal regulation often leads them into structures through small gaps and crevices.
The presence of prey is the primary motivator for indoor entry. Scorpions feed on common household pests, including crickets, roaches, and spiders. If a home has an existing insect problem, scorpions will follow the food source into interior spaces. They can flatten their bodies and squeeze through incredibly narrow openings, sometimes less than the thickness of a credit card.
Immediate Bedside Prevention
The most direct way to prevent scorpions from entering a bed is to create a physical, smooth barrier that exploits their climbing limitations. Begin by ensuring the bed frame is pulled at least six inches away from all walls and curtains, as these textured surfaces provide an easy vertical path. All bedding, including sheets, blankets, and dust ruffles, must be kept from touching the floor, which scorpions can use as a bridge.
A highly effective measure is to place the legs of the bed frame into smooth-sided glass jars or commercially available bed bug interceptors. These devices create a slick pitfall trap or a sheer vertical surface that the scorpion cannot grip or scale. Furthermore, scorpions often hide in dark, sheltered spaces, making it necessary to habitually shake out shoes, clothing, and any laundry or towels left on the floor before use.
Home Perimeter Control
Sealing all potential entry points into the structure is essential for control. Use a high-quality sealant or caulk to fill every crack and gap in the foundation, masonry, and around utility lines, pipes, and outdoor faucets. Pay close attention to weather stripping around doors and windows, ensuring a tight seal, as scorpions can exploit the smallest openings.
Reducing harborage sites both indoors and outdoors helps limit the local population. This involves removing clutter like lumber, bricks, and debris piles from the yard and keeping stored items off the floor in garages and basements. Controlling the scorpion’s food supply by managing populations of crickets and other insects reduces the incentive for them to enter the house. Professional pest control treatments often include residual dusts placed within wall voids and attics, targeting their preferred hiding places.