Here's a little trivia about me: I HATE scorpions. Actually hate does not encompass the full range of negative emotions I feel for those evil creatures. Now, please no one launch into a diatribe about their important role in the ecosystem. I know they control the bug population and feast on such ill-favored insects like cockroaches. But I can't reason myself into any form of appreciation for their existence.
Now with that being said, I lived my entire life without ever laying eyes on a live scorpion to living in a home infested with them. Yes, infested. I killed about 3-4 per night...and I go to bed at a decent hour! There is no telling how many of them roamed the walls and halls of our home while we slept. {shudder}
It comes as no surprise that this year has been dubbed "the year of the scorpion." People accustomed to dealing with them are seeing more than usual. Friends, who have never seen them, are now dealing with them entering their homes. With south Texas entering the height of scorpion season (the mating season), I thought I'd share the lessons I learned from my crash course in surviving scorpions.
1. Be alert. Scorpions are nocturnal, so when the sun goes down, be watchful. I keep a pair of flip flops by my bed for getting up at night. I NEVER go barefoot at night and I teach my kids to do the same.
2. Know what they love. Scorpions like dark, snug places: bed sheets, shoes, piles of laundry, your bath towel, walking alongside the wall. Check your sheets and pillow before bed. Check your shoes before you slip them on. Kick around that pile of laundry before you pick it up. Buy some sticky traps designs for mice; they will creep right into them and die. {insert evil laughter}
3. Eliminate their food source. Scorpions eat bugs. Keep the bugs out of your house and they have no reason to come in and hunt. And for heaven's sake, turn OFF that porch light! You might as well hang a vacancy sign and leave the door open. Light attracts bugs. And bugs attract....scorpions.
4. Make entry a challenge. Plug up the holes. If you can see daylight coming in, they can squeeze through. Check inside and out for holes. Caulk is your best friend. Also, keep that yard up. Mow it. Trim your trees. And any yard that even slightly resembles "American Pickers" is a safe haven for those little monsters. Use caution when moving anything sitting for a while: garden hoses, trash cans, and even mailboxes.
If these guys can get in, so can a scorpion.
5. Home remedies are worthless. Whoever said lavender is a natural repellant lied. I once killed a scorpion on the window sill, next to the pot of lavender. Worthless.
6. Don't be dumb. Get your bed on a bed frame and off the floor. Get ride of the bed skirt (aka. scorpion escalator). And don't keep a bunch of junk under the bed. If you live in scorpion country, it is not convenient storage. It is a scorpion hangout.
7. Burning your house down is not the answer. After I got stung at 35 weeks pregnant I certainly considered that, but settled on calling a professional. He sprayed inside and out. He also dusted under the house. The experience was so memorable, he took photos. I wish I had one to share. But imagine the pest man being so in awe of the number of scorpions fleeing our house it was photo worthy. {cringe}
8. If the pesticide doesn't work, call again. We were on a quarterly plan. That meant that if the initial spray didn't work, he came out again for free. In our case, it didn't work the first time. A week later we were seeing them in the house again. And these little boogers weren't dead or "drunk" like they promised. These were very much alive. So, guess who got a call again...yup, my scorpion man.
9. Know first aid, just in case. All scorpion stings are not equal and not everyone will react the same. I've known people who have swelled up, I experienced numbness, and others say it doesn't hurt at all. Ice can help with the pain and swelling. Take Benadryl and watch for signs of allergic reaction. Consult your pediatrician for infant first aid. Ours recommended calling 911.
10. Ask for advice if you've never dealt with these creepy crawlers. There are others who have been living with them and learned how to control them. Unfortunately, they are adaptable little suckers and will most likely survive Armageddon. So, it is best to ask for help on how to deal with them from the folks who know.
Phew! Ten things I wish I never had to learn. And if any of this applies to you, I'm sorry. Know that there is one person who feels your frustrations, fear, etc. I can't believe I use to complain about roaches!
As you figure out how to rid your life of these beasts, share with me any tips, tricks, advice, or experiences. If nuclear fallout doesn't kill them (which it doesn't), then I'm all for sharing ideas on what will.
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