Finding one bark scorpion in a Tucson house usually means others are nearby. They spend the day tucked into tight, dark spaces and come out to hunt at night, so most homeowners never see where they actually live. Technicians at Swift Pest look in the same handful of spots on nearly every scorpion call. Below are seven of the most common hiding places in and around Tucson homes, what to do about each one, and five local pest control companies that treat scorpions.
Why do bark scorpions end up inside Tucson homes?
The Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) is small, flat and a strong climber, which makes houses easy to get into. University of California pest management guidance notes it can squeeze through a crack about 1/16 of an inch wide. A University of Arizona researcher describes it as the only Arizona scorpion that can climb walls and ceilings. It is also the species whose sting is considered medically significant in Arizona, so a sighting is worth taking seriously.
Where do bark scorpions hide in and around Tucson homes?
1. Why are block walls such a common hiding spot?
Hollow block walls are one of the scorpion’s preferred shelters. A University of Arizona Cooperative Extension publication reports that in one study, 95 percent of bark scorpions chose hollow block walls over other refuges. Backyard block fences put that shelter a few feet from your house, so cap open blocks and seal cracked mortar.
2. Can scorpions get in through weep holes?
Yes. Weep holes are small drainage gaps at the base of stucco or brick walls, and they lead straight into the wall cavity. Covering them with fine stainless mesh or weep screens keeps them draining while blocking scorpions.
3. Do scorpions live inside walls?
Often. Gaps around pipes, electrical boxes, outlets and baseboards connect wall voids, the hollow spaces inside walls, to your living space. Sealing those gaps with caulk or foam closes off the routes scorpions use to move between rooms.
4. Why do so many scorpions turn up in garages?
Garages have worn door seals, stacked boxes and little foot traffic. Check the rubber seal along the bottom of the garage door, since a gap there is a common entry point.
5. Why do scorpions show up in bathtubs and sinks?
Bark scorpions climb rough surfaces easily but can’t climb smooth ones such as porcelain or glass. One that falls into a tub at night often can’t get back out. Seeing them in bathrooms usually points to gaps around plumbing under the sink or behind the tub.
6. Can scorpions hide in beds, shoes and clothes?
They can. Because bark scorpions climb walls and walk across ceilings, they sometimes drop onto beds or crawl into shoes and laundry left on the floor. Shake out shoes before putting them on, keep bedding off the floor and pull beds a few inches away from walls.
7. What outdoor spots attract scorpions to the house?
Woodpiles, rocks, decorative bark, palm trees and loose tree bark all give scorpions daytime shelter, according to University of California pest management guidance. Keep firewood stacked away from the house and trim dead palm fronds. Scorpions glow under ultraviolet light, so walking the yard with a blacklight after dark shows where they are gathering.
Which Tucson pest control companies treat for bark scorpions?
These Tucson-area companies offer scorpion and general pest control:
- Swift Pest Solutions
- Northwest Exterminating
- GreenShield Pest Control
- Rigo Pest Prevention
- Arizona Pest Control
1. Swift Pest Solutions
Swift Pest Solutions is a family-run Tucson company founded in 2018 and owned by Jeff Miller, Pest Control Technician. It operates under Arizona license number 9815 and serves Tucson, Marana, Vail and Catalina. For scorpions, the company uses perimeter treatments, sealing of entry points and nighttime inspections to find where they are hiding. Its regular service is exterior-focused, and the company returns between scheduled visits at no extra cost if pests come back. Swift also treats termites, rodents, bees, wasps and common household pests.
2. Northwest Exterminating
Northwest Exterminating is a pest control company with an office in north-central Tucson.
3. GreenShield Pest Control
GreenShield Pest Control is a pest control company based on the south side of Tucson.
4. Rigo Pest Prevention
Rigo Pest Prevention is a pest control company in northwest Tucson.
5. Arizona Pest Control
Arizona Pest Control is a pest control company on the east side of Tucson.
What should Tucson homeowners do after finding a bark scorpion?
Most bark scorpions in a house trace back to a short list of spots: block walls, weep holes, wall voids, garages and the yard right outside. If someone in your home is stung, especially a young child or an older adult, contact the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center or seek medical care right away. If you keep finding scorpions after sealing up, schedule a professional inspection so a technician can trace where they are coming from.
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