How to Find Scorpions in Your House
Las Vegas is a beautiful city that boasts more than 290 days of sunshine per year on average. This provides ideal weather for lounging by the pools and other outdoor activities. However, the dry desert climate is also a breeding ground for insects and pests, including scorpions.
The best way to find scorpions in your house is to look in strategic places they are attracted to.
Do Scorpions Live in Groups or Live Solo?
While some insects such as ants form large colonies (some so big they can be seen from space), scorpions are solitary and hide in dark, enclosed spaces. Although scorpions are small, they can be quite dangerous to you and your family. It’s always best to check your home for the most common hiding places scorpions typically gather to prevent an infestation.
Where Do Scorpions Hide in Your House?
Below are the top eight places you should look.
1. Inside Your Shoes
Generally, scorpions are always on the lookout for dark, damp, and quiet places. If you have shoes laying around that you don’t often wear, it can be a very attractive hiding spot for a scorpion. Before reaching for that pair of shoes and slipping them on, try shining a light into the shoes or carefully turning them over. To prevent scorpions from hiding in your shoes, keep them in a sealed bag or shoebox, especially if you only wear them sparingly.
2. Garden Plants or Grass
Scorpions also prefer areas that provide some moisture, especially in the extreme desert heat of Las Vegas. Because plants need to be watered regularly, there’s usually an accumulation of moisture where they grow – typically a yard or garden. Before doing yard work or mowing the lawn, look carefully for any movement that could potentially be a scorpion. Always wear close-toed shoes and gloves when working and be cautious in darker, damper areas.
3. Garage or Basements
Particularly during the hot summer months in Las Vegas, scorpions are always looking for a shady refuge from the heat. The most easily accessible parts of your home include the garage and basement (although not very many Las Vegas homes have full basements) because doors are not always sealed, and walls may lack insulation. If you suspect your neighborhood may have scorpions, it’s a good practice to keep the garage or basement well-lit and always wear shoes while in these areas. You can also use a black light to regularly scan for scorpions as they glow in the dark using this method.
4. Underneath Sinks
The areas underneath your sinks or vanities, in both the kitchen and bathrooms, are the ideal hiding places for scorpions in Las Vegas. It’s dark, damp, and hidden from the rest of the room, so it’s one of the first places they’ll go if they’re able to get into the house. The best thing you can do to prevent this is to keep the area under your sink clean and organized and check it regularly using a black light.
5. Near Swimming Pools
Scorpions are also naturally drawn to water, so pools and outdoor drains are a favorite spot for these little pests to gather. Keep your pools chemically treated and well-lit at all times to deter scorpions from getting too close. Check the pool water and surrounding areas carefully before jumping in and shake out damp towels before using. A scorpion could burrow itself in your towel, clothes, or robe if left on the ground while swimming.
Can Scorpions Swim?
Technically, yes, scorpions can swim; however, they prefer not to. They aren’t very skilled swimmers and can’t live in the water long-term. They can survive up to two days in water if necessary, making their presence in water bodies near your home is not completely out of the question.
6. Showers and Bathtubs
Showers and bathtubs offer the same attraction as swimming pools to scorpions with the added bonus of being in an air-conditioned house. If scorpions are able to get inside your home, this is a common area you may find them, especially in the mornings. Scorpions are most active at night and may climb into your shower or tub while there is no activity in the evenings. Be sure to check the tub and shake out the shower curtain to prevent getting stung by a hiding scorpion.
7. Dark Drawers or Shelves
Drawers and shelves are particularly dangerous if they are in a dark or quiet part of the home that doesn’t see much activity. It’s a fact that scorpions can live for months without any food or water, and may stay settled in a dim, discreet area for some time. Shelves and drawers can provide that perfect hiding spot for scorpions if they’re able to get into your home. Again, try to keep everything organized, clean, and well-lit to prevent scorpions and other bugs from infesting these areas.
8. Laundry Rooms & Closets
The worst thing you can do if you’re experiencing a scorpion problem is to throw your dirty or damp clothes in a pile or on the ground. It’s easy for laundry rooms and closets to start accumulating clothing piles, but you must remember that this makes for a very easy hiding spot for scorpions. The damp air and dark quarters are exactly the conditions that attract them. Always fold your clothes after washing, and do your laundry often, so it’s not sitting in one area for an extended period of time. Also, carefully shake the clothing out before folding and putting away in your drawers.
When it comes to scorpions in Las Vegas, remember they often gather where food and water are readily available. Scorpions live off crickets or cockroaches, so you’ll want to do your best to keep your home free of these as well. Also, scorpions tend to come in groups. If you see one, there’s a very high probability that more are lurking. Because of their dangerous venom and ability to quickly form a colony, it’s best to reach out to professional pest exterminators who can expertly eliminate scorpions and other bug problems in and around your home for a safe and secure living environment.