Common Facts Bark scorpions | Centruroides Diet, Habitat, etc

　　Bark scorpions bite

　　On average, people who are stung by bark scorpions experience acute pain for anywhere from 24 to 72 hours. This includes a tingling sensation, numbness, and pain in the impacted area. As discussed above, more serious symptoms can include nausea, convulsions, or vomiting.

　　How painful is the striped bark scorpion?

　　Non-lethal stings may be mild to strong and produce edema (swelling), discoloration, numbness, and pain which may last for several minutes to several days. Deaths attributed to this species are not well substantiated.

　　How venomous are Florida bark scorpions?

　　While closely related to the very dangerous Arizona bark scorpion, the venom of this species is not considered to be nearly as potent. It is capable of inflicting a very painful sting, however. As with other scorpions it is nocturnal and predatory, feeding primarily on crickets and roaches and other small insects.

　　How do you tell if a scorpion is a bark scorpion?

　　Physical Identification. Arizona Bark Scorpions have a tiny little bump or “subaculear tooth” that pokes out of an Arizona Bark Scorpions tail just under the stinger. (You may need a magnifying glass to see it.) Bark Scorpions have a more sender body build with thinner tails and pincers than other scorpion species.

　　Why is it called a bark scorpion?

　　This scorpion hides under loose tree bark. That’s how it got its name. Most scorpions spend all their lives on the ground, but this arachnid has no fear of heights. The bark scorpion seeks daytime hiding spots in trees and bushes where it is safe from predators.

　　Size: This scorpion species grows up to 7 cm, or 3″ long.

　　Color: Light brown to brownish yellow in color, with dark lengthwise bands.

　　Pincers: Their pincers are elongated and thin, unlike other scorpions that have thick, lobster-like pedipalps.

　　Tail: Their tail is also slender and yellow to light brown in color.

　　Diet：The feeding habits are similar to that of other scorpions. The Arizona bark scorpion prefers to hide and will cling to almost anything. It is nocturnal and feeds on crickets and other insects that happen to pass by its burrow.

　　Habitat：These scorpions prefer to dwell in areas that can support insects, and other small prey species. These areas must also have sufficient amounts of moisture and humidity.

　　Geographic Range：The Arizona bark scorpion can be found in the Southwestern U.S. It is especially widespread in most parts of Arizona. Small populations of this scorpion have been observed in southeastern California and southern Utah. They can also be found throughout the Baja Peninsula and western Mexico.

Habitat

• Bark scorpions are most frequently found inside the Grand Canyon, but they can be found on the Rims.
• While they are well adapted for the desert and can be found in all parts of the Grand Canyon, bark scorpions prefer riparian (streamside) habitats.
• Because they are nocturnal, and hard to see when they are still, bark scorpions are most commonly seen crossing trails at night.

　　Big Bark, Bigger Bite: Common Facts About the Deadly Bark Scorpion

　　Bark scorpions are a common pest across the Southwest. The warm, dry biome of the desert is an oasis for scorpions of all kinds. These tiny creatures can be mostly found crawling around all parts of the Grand Canyon state. They may seem harmless, but bark scorpions are anything but.

　　At Burn’s Pest Elimination, we understand the importance of keeping these pests out of your home. We have years of experience with scorpions and want to help you keep your home scorpion free. Whether you are a traveler passing through or a long-term resident, here’s what you need to know about bark scorpions.

　　Where do Bark Scorpions Live?

　　From the Grand Canyon to the Sedona Desert and beyond, bark scorpions can be found scuttering around. They can climb up trees, rocks, and walls, where they can be found in cracks and crevices. Be careful lifting rocks or shifting yard waste, you might just encounter one.

　　During the winter months, the scorpions will hibernate. As the weather warms up, they start becoming active again. They are commonly found in groups of 30 or more. So if you spot one, there are likely dozens more nearby.

　　What do Bark Scorpions Eat?

　　These tiny creatures eat mostly small insects. Centipedes, spiders, crickets, and other scorpions can all fall prey to these predators. Bark scorpions can run up to 12 miles per hour, making it easy for them to target and sting their prey. These nocturnal hunters, spend their days hiding under rocks, or piles of leaves and bark. As the sun starts setting, they start watching for prey to cross their path.

　　Alternatively, several other animals will feed on bark scorpions. Birds, such as owls and bats like to snack on these scorpions. Tarantulas and lizards commonly feed on bark scorpions too.

　　How to Identify Bark Scorpions

　　Like other scorpions, they have eight legs, pinchers, and a segmented tail ending in a barbed stinger. But unlike other scorpion species, the bark scorpion is highly venomous. There are 2,000 scorpion species worldwide, but only 30 species are venomous. In the United States, bark scorpions are the most venomous.

　　Bark scorpions are very small and are typically between ½ an inch to 1 inch long. Male bark scorpions have been known to grow to 2 inches in length. They vary in color from light tan to dark brown but glow in the dark under UV light. If they have recently molted their exoskeleton, they won’t glow.

　　How to Prevent Bark Scorpions from Invading Your Home

　　Bark scorpions love cool, dark spaces. In the home, they will often be found in basements, crawl spaces, under sinks, and cabinets. If you spot a scorpion in your home, lay sticky traps down to catch it. Don’t try to pick it up.

　　Outside, scorpions can be found under leaf litter and stacks of wood. They also like to hide in small cracks and crevices around the foundation of your home. For preventative measures, clean up yard waste debris, stack wood away from your home, and caulk any cracks. The more uninviting your yard seems the more likely scorpions will move on.

　　Bark Scorpions Hanging Around? Call Burns Pest Elimination

　　Nobody wants scorpions, let alone bark scorpions around their home. If you have an infestation and need help, call Burns Pest Elimination. Our professionals have been treating homes and businesses for years. Request a quote today!

　　Bark Scorpions: Here’s your guide to the Arizona Bark Scorpion

　　1. They’re nocturnal hunters.

　　Bark scorpions are nightly predators, on the hunt for some of their favorite foods: crickets, roaches, spiders, and more. When they find their prey, they use their stinger to disable it and begin feeding.

　　Humans most often encounter scorpions during the night. They have poor eyesight, so they often travel along baseboards in search of their next meal. They can go days without eating.

　　During the day, bark scorpions generally retreat to places of hiding—block walls, river rock in your yard, or in various nooks and crannies around the home. True to their name, they also like certain types of trees.

　　Humans encounter scorpions during the day when this hiding place is accidentally disturbed. This leads to our next point

　　2. Most scorpion stings are accidental.

　　Put away the old Hollywood idea of a large, dangerous scorpion chasing people through a crypt. Bark scorpions are typically non-aggressive, and seek to avoid human contact.

　　A vast majority of scorpion stings occur when people accidentally brush up, step on, or touch the scorpion. The sting is a reflexive means of protecting the scorpion from predators.

　　3. Does whatever a scorpion can.

　　Remember how we mentioned that bark scorpions like trees? That’s probably why they’re the only type that can not only climb, but also suspend from ceilings and crawl across them.

　　This only amplifies scorpions as a nuisance in the home: they can get to virtually anywhere at night while on the hunt.

　　The scorpions are also able to get where they need to go because of their ability to flatten their stinger and squeeze into some tight spaces.

　　In fact, bark scorpions have been known to squeeze between gaps less than the thickness of a credit card!

　　This means that any cracks, gaps, or weaknesses in your doors, windows, or walls can act as an entry point for scorpions.

　　4. They enjoy summertime living.

　　Bark scorpions might be the only living thing in Phoenix actually enjoying the summer.

　　Ok, that’s an exaggeration: their prey—such as roaches and crickets—also thrive in the warmth of summer, especially after the monsoon rains arrive. Summer is bark scorpion season in Phoenix.

　　Homeowners typically will see an uptick in scorpion activity and hunting in July and August. It’s not unheard of to see scorpions in other times of the year; however, they’re generally inactive and in hibernation throughout the coldest months of the year.

　　5. Hard to kill (but not impossible to stop)

　　The Arizona Bark Scorpion, like all scorpions, is from a long line dating back before the dinosaurs. Hardy survivors, scorpions boast an armor that can resist most insecticides.

　　Roaches are famous for being nuclear survivors, but bark scorpions were found relatively unaffected at ground zero after atomic tests in the Nevada desert.

　　Here at KY-KO Pest Prevention, we do have insecticides capable of impacting scorpions. However, generally, the strategy we recommend is using pest treatments to kill off the food source. We call this making your home unfriendly to scorpions. It’s the best way to deal with and prevent scorpions.

　　Unlike the roaches and crickets they hunt, scorpions can’t subsist on crumbs: if they can’t find their prey in your home, they’ll typically leave.

　　Pair that with our home sealing to block off all points of entry, and you’re on your way to being scorpion-free.

　　6. They pack a dangerous, painful sting.

　　Let’s start by saying this: bark scorpion stings are very rarely fatal. There’s been a grand total of two recorded fatalities in Arizona from scorpion stings since stats began being kept in the 60s. That’s with the metro population of Phoenix booming into the millions and more and more people moving into new scorpion-filled areas.

　　While infants and the elderly are most at risk from venom, a sting is most likely not a death sentence. Most stings are painful, but not dangerous. It’s important to remain calm.

　　What makes a scorpion sting dangerous?

　　The severity of the sting and your symptoms from it can depend on a number of factors, including:

　　The scorpion’s age

　　Adult scorpions inject the exact amount of venom they need to disable their prey. They can also control venom distribution when defending themselves, so stings from adult scorpions can vary from the equivalent of a bee sting to something far more painful.

　　In contrast, baby bark scorpions lack this self control, so their stings can often contain more venom. For this reason, being stung by an infant scorpion can be more painful or dangerous.

　　Your age or medical condition

　　Scorpion stings are more dangerous to infants, children, and the elderly than they are to healthy adults. If your child is stung by a scorpion, call their pediatrician, the poison control hotline, or a qualified medical professional to get further guidance.

　　Scorpion stings can also affect people with compromised immune systems more severely. Talk to your doctor for guidance on whether or not you need to go to a hospital for treatment.

　　Your allergies

　　As with all insect stings or spider bites, an allergic reaction greatly increases the medical severity of the situation. If you’re experiencing abnormal symptoms after a sting—difficulty breathing, vomiting, or the loss of consciousness—call a medical professional immediately.

　　What is the average sting like?

　　Scorpion stings can vary widely in their impact. Some healthy adults experience pain on par with a bee sting, and self-treat the sting at home with over-the-counter pain treatment until the pain subsides.

　　On average, people who are stung by bark scorpions experience acute pain for anywhere from 24 to 72 hours. This includes a tingling sensation, numbness, and pain in the impacted area.

　　As discussed above, more serious symptoms can include nausea, convulsions, or vomiting. If you or a loved one is experiencing these, it’s important to contact your doctor or seek immediate medical treatment. Generally, children, the elderly, or those with an allergic reaction should be taken to emergency services as a precautionary measure.

　　7. They glow in the dark.

　　Bark scorpions have a unique protein in their armor that causes them to glow a bright neon blue when exposed to UV light, such as that from a blacklight.

　　Against a dark wall or floor, homeowners using a blacklight flashlight—here in Phoenix, available at almost any hardware store for this exact purpose—can easily spot scorpions.

　　If you’re looking for signs of scorpions in or around your home, using a blacklight can be an effective means of finding them at night when they’re on the hunt.