How to Get Rid of Scorpions in Your Home

Getting rid of scorpions when they have invaded your home is a task that has no easy solution, but do not panic. Most of these menacing creatures are no more dangerous than a wasp, unless their human victim is too young, too old, or allergic to their poison. However, you will still want to rid yourself of an infestation quickly, so prepare yourself to meet and defeat them.

Step 1 - Make Your Home Unwelcoming

While conventional wisdom associates scorpions with deserts, they live almost everywhere in arid and semi-arid regions, in forests and in mountains. You can cross your home off their list, however, if you deprive them of their basic necessities. Just like every living creature around the world, scorpions need water, food, and shelter. Make these unavailable to them, and you can more easily manage the problem.

Cut off water supply as you mend leaky water pipes, faucets, and roofs. Eliminate access for bugs such as crickets, ants, or cockroaches, which are scorpions' favorite meal. If you do not get rid of bugs, you will never get rid of a scorpion problem. In case of bug invasions, chickens can help out; they eat anything, especially insects.

Step 2 - Clean

Cleaning up your surroundings will go a long way. Get rid of piles of wood, rocks, debris, leaves (especially palm tree leaves which are the scorpions’ favorite), or trash. Remove anything that this pest might find a perfect shelter, including some kids’ toys. Clean the floor of your house and leave no place where scorpions might find suitable for hiding such as loose papers, magazines, or dirty and wet laundry piled on the floor. Clear out the attic and the basement, and tidy all closets and cabinets as well. Scorpions love hiding in shoes and clothes which have not been used recently. Furthermore, cats are the best predators, so if you've entertained the idea of adopting one before, now might be a good time to go through with it.

Step 3 - Cut Off Entry Points

Examine around your home, and fill in all holes, cracks, and other tiny crevices that scorpions might use as entry points. Check carefully for cracks in the foundation, go over outdoor faucets and outlets, and inspect the air conditioner too.

Step 4 - Use Insecticides

There are plenty of types and brands of insecticides available for scorpion management. Cy-Kick CS is an insecticide based on cyfluthrin that can be used outdoors and indoors. The product may be purchased either as a liquid concentrate or in an aerosol can. Onslaught Insecticide is based on benzeneacetate. You can use it indoors as well as outdoors, and it will remain active for a long period of time. Demon WP is a spot treatment based on cypetmethrin, which should be used with a one-gallon sprayer for the best coverage and results. Suspend is also an indoor/outdoor insecticide, but one that is based on deltamethrin. The product is active for three months at a time before it must be reapplied. Talstar EZ Granular Insecticide is another insecticide based on bifethrin that is best used in lawns and gardens. Finally, mothballs can be used around the yard and in the garden for scorpion treatment. One or two tablespoons of mothballs placed down the drains on a weekly basis will keep these pests away.

Step 5 - Call Professional Company

If you cannot resolve the problem yourself, get professional help. Professional services might be a bit costly, but they are your last chance to get rid of scorpions for good.