Insecticide For Scorpions

Scorpions are menacing-looking creatures with a quick-striking tail equipped with a stinger at the end. These nocturnal arthropods in the Arachnida class are predators that feed on spiders, insects and centipedes. Larger scorpions may also prey on small snakes, mice and lizards. Scorpions can enter your home through cracks and openings around the structure and once inside, will quickly become problematic. Thankfully, several insecticides are readily available to control scorpions.

Scorpion’s Sting

1. About 70 species of scorpions are found in North American and only one of them — the bark scorpion — is considered harmful to humans. The sting from most scorpions typically produces the same effects as a sting from a bee, wasp or ant. Most common symptoms from a scorpion sting include swelling, redness and a burning sensation, symptoms that generally subside in 30 minutes. If, however, the person is allergic or is stung by a bark scorpion, the sting can be serious. Bark scorpion stings can produce severe pain, swelling, difficulty breathing, numbness, twitching, convulsions and respiratory paralysis. Fortunately, antivenin is considered effective and death from a scorpion sting is rare.

Chemical Insecticides

1. Chemical pesticides containing cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, permethrin and tralomethrin are a few of the commercially available products that can kill scorpions. The University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program suggests applying the desired insecticide to the exterior walls of the house foundation. Spray the exterior walls thoroughly with the insecticide starting from the ground and moving up the wall so the bottom 1 foot of the wall is covered with the pesticide. Furthermore, apply the insecticide around windows, doors and other points of entry. For best results, you should always follow the instructions located on the chosen pesticide label.

Safer Insecticides

1. Safer insecticides are less likely to pose a serious risk to you, your family and the environment. They typically don’t leave behind dangerous residue and are not as toxic to beneficial insects as chemical insecticides. Diatomaceous earth or DE is one such insecticide that is considered generally safe by the Food and Drug Administration. However, you must make sure to only use food grade DE and not the kind used as filtration, as this is toxic to humans and mammals. Since every brand of DE has instructions designed for that specific brand, always follow the directions located on the label. Most brands of DE, however, require nothing more than sprinkling the dust-like material in cracks and crevices where scorpions hide.

Considerations

1. Trying to control scorpions with insecticides can be difficult, according to UC-IPM. They assert that the sheer size of scorpions combined with their ability to hide in crevices and cracks makes chemical control difficult, so you should alter the surroundings to make them less inviting to scorpions. This includes removing bricks, stones, trash, boards, logs and other debris from around your home, keeping the grass mowed, pruning overhanging branches, repairing window screens and sealing cracks. In areas where scorpions are present, don’t leave shoes, clothing or wet towels outside, and always wear shoes when outdoors.