Aside from snakes and spiders, few pests strike fear into the hearts of homeowners like scorpions. They have a threatening appearance and a painful sting. The only naturally occurring species in Missouri is the Striped Bark Scorpion. Pest control experts agree that this scorpion is the most common to our area and more than likely the one you will come across.
What Does An Adult Striped Bark Scorpion Look Like?
Adult Striped Bark Scorpions are an arachnid with four sets of legs that average about 2.5 inches in length. Identified by the two dark stripes that run down the length of their bodies, they are usually tan or light brown in color. Similar to other scorpions, the Striped Bark Scorpion has two pincers and a long tail with a needle-like stinger.
Striped Bark Scorpion Behavior
Striped Bark Scorpions do not burrow like most other species of scorpions. They prefer to hide under vegetation, rocks, debris, and logs. They will also reside inside buildings occupied by humans. Experts warn that every home in Missouri has had at least one scorpion inside of it at some point in time. Because they are nocturnal, the air conditioning provides them a cool place to hide out during the day time.
What Does A Striped Bark Scorpion Eat?
Striped Bark Scorpions only eat insects. Their diet consists primarily of centipedes, spiders, and flies. They inject their prey with venom after grasping the insect in their pincers to immobilize them. Then the scorpion will cough up digestive fluids that liquefy the insect so the scorpion can then suck it up.
Is A Striped Bark Scorpion Venomous?
The sting of a Striped Bark Scorpion is not venomous. As a matter of fact, out of more than 1,000 species of scorpions, only a small percentage have venom that is toxic enough to kill a human. People have been known to go into anaphylactic shock resulting in death because they are allergic to a scorpion’s venom. For the rest of us, a sting will cause sharp pain for about 20 minutes, followed by about 48 hours of discomfort that can be treated with ice packs. The “good” news is that a Striped Bark Scorpion will only sting when frightened.
Pest Control For Striped Bark Scorpions
By eliminating their hiding spots, you can reduce the Striped Bark Scorpion population around your home. Logs, stones, and debris should be cleared away. Sealing your home with weather stripping around doors and windows will help prevent the scorpion from gaining entry. At night, you can make a sweep of the inside and outside of your home with a UV flashlight because scorpions will glow under ultraviolet light.
If you suspect that you may have a scorpion infestation in your home, call McCarthy Pest and Termite Control today. Our skilled technicians have many years of experience eliminating this creepy arachnid along with all other Missouri pests. Contact us to learn more about the services we offer and the pest control products we use.
