What Attracts Scorpions?

Are you unsure why you have scorpions? Do they keep appearing around your home? 

Don’t wonder any longer why you have scorpions. 

In this post, I am going to go over the different reasons scorpions are attracted to. 

Let’s get started. 

1. The Darkness and Shadows

Scorpions are nocturnal creatures, which means that you will find them hiding in the dark or the shadows during the day.

Darkness keeps scorpions safe from heat and predators.

Since they are nocturnal, they are most active at night. This can make them hard to spot during the day. 

If there are plenty of places that provide shelter and darkness, scorpions will be attracted to your home.

For example, patios and crawlspaces are common areas where you might find scorpions hiding. Try to cover these up to prevent entry. 

These locations provide the necessary darkness as well as humidity and moisture that scorpions use to survive.

Also, you want to keep your yard and inside your home relatively clutter-free.

If you have lots of clutter around your yard, this will provide scorpions with the shadows and darkness they need to hide.  

2. Shelter

Scorpions are more likely to live outdoors than indoors. If you do find them inside, it’s likely that they entered indoors accidentally. 

Outdoors, scorpions will hide under anything that provides shade or moisture.

They typically choose a shelter that they can easily access, and they can go from hiding to hunting very quickly. 

Scorpions will also hide under other materials you might have in your yard. 

Clutter such as old furniture, building supplies, or boxes will also give scorpions a place to hide. 

Scorpions will seek shelter anywhere they can. This can be indoors or outdoors.  

3. Moisture

Scorpions are attracted to moisture and sources of water.

They commonly live in the desert, where water and other sources of moisture are uncommon.

As a result, any sources of water will attract scorpions.

Scorpions are unique because they can last long periods without food and water. They can survive up to twelve months without food. But, scorpions can only survive around two days without a consistent source of water.

This shows you how important finding a consistent source of water is for scorpions.

Be sure to remove any sources of water from around your home.

Other areas of moisture can attract scorpions as well. If you have dripping pipes or leaking sprinklers, this will also attract scorpions.

Items that can trap moisture should also be eliminated. For example, mulch traps moisture in the soil, which will attract scorpions to your home.

4. Food

Scorpions are hunters and will eat anything that they can kill. This commonly includes smaller insects, but a more definitive list includes: 

Scorpions are unique because they don’t need to eat often. They can go up to 12 months without eating. They are capable of reducing their metabolic consumption to survive without eating.

To do this, scorpions can spend around 95% of their life completely inactive to limit energy consumption and survive without any food.

This can make it hard to control scorpions’ food because one lapse can provide them energy for an entire year.

The best way to control scorpions food options is by controlling any pests related issues you have around your home. 

Signs That You Have Scorpions

1. Live Scorpions

One of the most common signs that you have a scorpion infestation or scorpions around your house is seeing a scorpion.

Scorpions do not nest or travel in groups. This means just because you see one scorpion doesn’t mean there are more.

It also doesn’t mean that there aren’t anymore either.

This is a sign that you should inspect the rest of your property for scorpions. If one scorpion was attracted to your home, the conditions could draw others as well.

2. You Live in A State With Scorpions

Another sign that you might have scorpions is that you live in a hot, dry state. 

Most scorpion species survive in states that are west of the Mississippi River. 

The western states of California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas have the most Scorpion species and largest scorpion populations. 

If you live in one of the states listed above, it’s much more likely that you have scorpions than any other state. 

Nonetheless, that does not discount other states from having Scorpions.

Scorpions are quite adaptable, and they can survive in harsh conditions such as extreme heat and cold.

This means that they are found across the entire United States.

Scorpions will look for warm conditions that have moisture to seek shelter. 

Regardless of the situation, that is one thing about scorpions that will remain the same.

3. Your house is attractive to Scorpions

As we discussed above, several things attract scorpions. 

If you’re creating an ideal habitat for scorpions, they will come to your home. 

Below are the things you should look out for. 

Shelter and Darkness

Make sure your home does not provide an abundance of places where scorpions can easily hide and find shelter. If hiding places are limited, scorpions are less likely to invade your homes. 

This makes it harder for them to hide during the time, leaving them exposed to predators and the environment.

Without shelter, it will also make it easier for you to identify any scorpions around your home. 

Sources of Food and Water 

You could be creating an ideal living situation for scorpions if you are providing them with food and water sources. 

If there is plenty of moisture or water around your home, you could be attracting scorpions. 

Likewise, pests issues such as roaches, lizards, or beetles can also signify that you have scorpions. This will give scorpions enough food to survive with ease. 

Do Scorpions Infest Houses?

Scorpions will infest the outside of your home but are unlikely to infest indoors.

If there is a scorpion inside your home, they likely entered in accidentally.

It’s also possible that a consistent food or water supply with easy entry caused them to enter your home.

If you find a scorpion in your home, it does not mean that there are more.

Unlike other insects, scorpions are social creatures. They typically travel alone.

If you see a scorpion, you should inspect both indoors and outside to ensure there is no infestation.

Where Do Scorpions Hide?

Scorpions prefer darkness. Anywhere a scorpion is hiding will provide enough shade or darkness for it to feel protected.

Below are some common places you should check for scorpions outdoors: 

  • In gardens 
  • Under potted plants 
  • Near sprinklers or water hose 
  • Under bricks or stones 
  • Inside sheds 
  • Inside garage 
  • Near swimming pools 
  • Inside your shoes 
  • Under piles of grass or leaves 
  • Fallen Trees or firewood 
  • Any other debris in your yard 

Below are places to check indoors for scorpions: 

  • Basements 
  • Attics  
  • Underneath sinks 
  • Behind shelves or inside cabinets 
  • Showers and bathtubs 
  • Under countertops 
  • Laundry room 
  • Closets 

How To Find Scorpions?

scorpion under UV light

The easiest and fastest way to find scorpions is to inspect your home during the night using a UV light.

The exoskeleton of scorpions glows under UV light. This makes them very easy to find at night.

Check both inside and outside your home when inspecting.

Be sure to check the common hiding spots listed above for both indoors and outdoors.

How To Prevent Scorpions?

The best way to prevent scorpions from entering your home is to take action early.

To do this you want to make the outside of your home as unappealing as possible.

You also want to make it as difficult as possible to enter your home. 

Seal Entry Points

The first thing with any pests is to make it as hard as possible to get in.

Scorpions may seem large, but they can fit through cracks that are about 1/3 the thickness of their body.

This includes weatherproofing your windows and doors.

You should also seal any cracks and crevices around your home using caulk.

This includes entry and exit points for pipes and wires. 

Keep your House Clean

Keeping the inside and outside of your home is crucial to preventing scorpions.

Outdoors make sure you eliminate any clutter around your home.

Any loose vegetation, fallen branches, or rotting wood should be disposed of properly.

Indoors keep your clean clutter-free. This will eliminate potential hiding places for scorpions.

Eliminate Food and Water Sources

Eliminate food and water sources will make your home unappealing.

To eliminate food sources, you must eliminate other pests around your home.

You can do this by using chemicals around your home.

These barriers will eliminate other insects but will not kill scorpions.

Water sources must also be eliminated. This can be by eliminating standing water or ensure there are no leaks outside or inside.

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