Scorpions are a common presence in Arizona’s desert landscape. Understanding how to locate them can be beneficial for residents and visitors, helping with home management or satisfying curiosity about these nocturnal arachnids. This article provides practical guidance on finding scorpions in Arizona.
Understanding Scorpion Habitats
Arizona bark scorpions seek specific environments for shelter and prey. Outdoors, they commonly hide in cracks and crevices, under rocks, logs, landscaping timbers, and potted plants. Debris piles also offer suitable concealment. The Arizona bark scorpion is known for its ability to climb and can often be found in trees, especially palm and mesquite, and on walls.
Indoors, scorpions gravitate towards dark, undisturbed areas. Locations include closets, attics, crawl spaces, and cluttered garages. They can enter homes through openings as small as 1/16 of an inch, seeking refuge from extreme temperatures or in pursuit of prey like insects. Scorpions are also attracted to areas with increased humidity, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and near leaky plumbing or air conditioning units.
Optimal Times for Scorpion Spotting
Scorpions are primarily nocturnal creatures. After-dark searches are most effective, as they emerge from their hiding spots to hunt for food. They tend to retreat to cooler, sheltered areas during the day to avoid the intense heat.
Scorpion activity is also influenced by temperature and humidity. They are most active when temperatures are warm, typically ranging between 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 32 degrees Celsius). This period generally spans from spring through fall, with peak activity often observed during the warmer months of July and August. While they are less active in cooler winter periods, the Arizona bark scorpion can remain active year-round, seeking indoor spaces as temperatures drop.
Essential Tools and Techniques
The most effective tool for finding scorpions is a UV (ultraviolet) flashlight, often referred to as a blacklight. Scorpions possess a substance in their exoskeleton’s hyaline layer that glows a bright bluish-green under UV light. This unique property makes them highly visible, even if only a small part of their body is exposed.
To conduct a search, systematically scan outdoor areas such as block walls, fences, landscaping, and the base of trees, particularly palm trees. Indoors, direct the UV light along baseboards, into corners, under furniture, and within undisturbed areas like closets, attics, and garages. Useful tools include long tongs or a jar for safe containment if a scorpion needs to be moved. It is important to prioritize observation over direct handling, as scorpions will sting if they feel threatened.
Safety Considerations When Searching
Safety is important when searching for scorpions. Wearing closed-toe shoes, long pants, and gloves can provide protection against accidental contact. It is important to avoid directly touching scorpions, even if they appear docile, as they will sting when provoked or threatened. Most scorpion stings occur when individuals unknowingly step on or brush against them.
If a scorpion is found indoors and needs to be removed, it can often be gently guided into a jar with a piece of paper or cardboard, then safely released outdoors far from the home. In the event of a scorpion sting, particularly from the Arizona bark scorpion which is the most venomous species in North America, symptoms can include intense localized pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle twitching. While fatalities are rare, stings can be especially dangerous for young children, the elderly, or those with compromised immune systems. Clean the sting area with soap and water, apply a cool compress, and contact a poison control center for guidance.