How to Deter Scorpions Naturally – Useful Tips
What are scorpions?
While this may be obvious, there remain some points about scorpions that help in both killing them and preventing them from coming into our homes. A scorpion bite can really sting, and actually can tingling in the lips if you are stung smartly.
Scorpions are classified as arachnids, which is a type of insect that has eight legs. Scientists classify them with spiders, mites and ticks. They hunt down other insects which makes them predators on a small scale.
While most know them to be desert dwellers, scorpions may also live in some rain forests as well. Most scorpions are not seriously poisonous to humans, however, some, like the bark scorpion, do pose a mild threat to people.
How to Keep Scorpions Out of Your Bed
- Get Rid of Excess Moisture
Preventive Pest says that one of the main reasons why scorpions enter your bedroom is to look for water. Thus, make sure to keep the corners and floors free of moisture. If possible, use a dehumidifier to lower the level of humidity in your home.
- Get Rid of Other Bugs
In addition to water, scorpions also look for insects, which are their main source of food. Therefore, if you find the presence of ants, roaches, or other pests in your bedroom, you should get rid of these bugs as soon as possible before scorpions find them.
- Eliminate the Shelters of Scorpion
Scorpions often hide in moist and dark places, particularly during the day. Get rid of any structures around and in your bedroom that would be an ideal condition for these creatures to live and grow. Here are a few things that you can do to keep scorpions from crawling around in your space:
Store all cardboard boxes on the shelves rather than on the floor
Do not keep clutter under your beds or around the room
Keep your bedrooms and closets neatly organized because scorpions often hide in piles of clothes and shoes.
- Seal Your House
Scorpions would slip through a small hole the size of a standard credit card. Thus, sealing your house, particularly those areas around your bedroom is necessary to prevent them from entering the living space. To be sure that your bed is secure, make sure to take the following measures to seal the windows, foundations, and doors:
Use caulk to seal in any cracks or holes on the walls, foundation, or walls of your house
Make sure the screen is sealed and the windows are tightly closed so that scorpions cannot climb in
Get doors sealed to prevent scorpions from penetrating
- Place Sticky Traps
Those sticky traps which are designed to catch mice and insects can also be effective in trapping scorpions. You can place them around dark or moist areas of your room. Once you have caught a scorpion, keep in mind to dispose of the trap and place a new one.
- Apply Cinnamon Oils
Ground cinnamon is known as a natural repellent to scorpions. You can purchase these type of essential oils and spray it around your bedroom to keep these creatures away.
Scorpions are very common pests that are found in many households. In order to avoid surprise visits from these pests, be sure to take preventative measures to keep them from getting inside of your home — especially on your bed.
Build a Natural Scorpion Deterrent Barrier to Repel Scorpions
For centuries the powerful pest repelling properties of cedar have been known and treasured as a natural and effective pest and scorpion deterrent.
We offer high quality granules made from red cedar heartwood, granules made from the center of choice and aged red cedar trees common only to East Central Texas. These granules contain high concentrates of aromatic red cedar oil, which is extremely offensive to scorpions and insects in general.
The long lasting aroma will repel scorpions, rats and snakes from your sacred area, yet has no effect on beneficial insects such as butterflies and pollinating bees.
Liberally sprinkle cedar granules in areas you wish to keep off limits to scorpions and other unwanted pests. Lay down a 6-10 inch swath of cedar granules around the perimeter of the yard, along the fence line, around the foundation, near entry areas of your home. Distribute and spread granules as a natural scorpion barrier. You’ll enjoy the pleasant aroma of cedar, scorpions won’t. This is a very low cost and effective method to create a natural barrier against scorpion encroachment.
To help avoid encounters with scorpions in and around your home follow these prevention tips:
- Eliminate standing water
- Seal cracks and crevices, especially around doors and windows where they can gain access to your home
- Inspect cabinets, closets, and other dark places on a regular basis
- Clear away brush, debris, and woodpiles from the perimeter of your home. Keep firewood about 30 feet away
- Scorpions feed on other insects such as crickets. You can help eliminate crickets by turning outdoor lights off at night
Tips
- You must always look under old things or things in your shed!
- Checking objects you wear, sleep in, and carry is always sensible, especially when camping in scorpion-infested areas. Look inside shoes, gloves, bags, sleeping bags, tents, etc., before using or wearing and shake out any scorpions you find.
- If your kid was stung, take him or her to the hospital right away.
- Be mindful of the useful nature of having scorpions around. As predators, they will eat other nuisance bugs in your yard, so try to keep the balance by being careful to keep them out of your home but let them do their thing where it’s not going to interfere with your home life.
- Mulch can be a hiding place for scorpions. As a gardener, you will have to make a decision between the method for keeping your plants moist and your scorpion population down. It can be done but you will need to be both vigilant and consistent. It is recommended that you do not place mulch around the house walls and that you aim to keep the soil around your house walls dry; this will act as a deterrent to scorpions. Keep your gardening away from the house area and always wear tough gloves when touching soil and plants.
- There are organic pest control products available on the market for ridding your home of scorpions. Ask the relevant distributor for more information.
- It is not safe to leave things on the floor by the door ! If so make sure to shake it or look inside before relocating them to another room.
- Contrary to popular belief, most scorpions are relatively harmless. The sting of most scorpions is usually painful (in the realm of a wasp or hornet sting),but they are rarely fatal. However, you should be aware of the nature of the scorpions you’re living around and know how poisonous they are. And even if they’re relatively harmless, don’t take unnecessary risks, especially with children around.
- The world’s most dangerous scorpions live in North Africa, the Middle East, South America, India, and Mexico.
- Anti-venom is available for various scorpions, including the Arizona bark scorpion, which has a painful sting.