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Arizona Bark Scorpion
If you are stung, call the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center at 800-222- 1222. Wash the area with soap and water and apply cool compresses for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off, repeating as necessary. Nine in 10 stings can be treated at home, but an allergic reaction is always possible. Stings on very young children and people with hypertension should be considered serious, and 911 should be called. Pets that have been stung by a scorpion may develop a red bump — a call to the veterinarian is in order if you’re concerned. Some of the benefits of scorpions include controlling the population of spiders and other arachnids, as well as feeding on a variety of pest organisms found in the desert biome. Enjoying life in our beautiful Arizona desert also means cohabitating with scorpions. Learn to appreciate the beauty of them while keeping them out of your home and reducing the risk of being stung.
Don’t end up in a pinch A quick guide to cohabitating with scorpions
Arizona Stripe-Tailed Scorpion
Scorpions may enter your home in search of food or water, sometimes following a cricket indoors through gaps in doors and windows. They also try to escape extreme heat. If you discover a scorpion in your home, don’t panic. They can be removed by covering them with a glass and sliding a piece of paper under them until they can be released outdoors. If you prefer to squash them, be sure to wear sturdy shoes and twist your foot. Scorpions can climb, but the surface must have texture for them to gain traction. Educate children to report scorpions to adults. Scorpions cannot swim, but they can float for several minutes, so don’t assume it’s dead if you find one lounging in your pool. They love to burrow into wet towels and shoes. Scorpions can be sought using a portable blacklight between 8 and 11 p.m. to discover their favorite places in your yard. Because their exoskeleton is bioluminescent, they glow under ultraviolet light.
BY WENDE GEHRT
W
HETHER YOU’RE AN ARIZONA native or a seasonal visitor, you’re aware of our scorpions. Arizona is home to some 60 species of
scorpions, with the Arizona Bark Scorpion being the most common. The Arizona Giant Hairy Scorpion and the Arizona Stripe-Tailed Scorpion are also quite prevalent in our area. Only the sting from the Arizona Bark Scorpion is a medical concern. A female scorpion gives birth to an average 30 young who remain on her back. They complete several molts before leaving their mother, usually in about two weeks. Scorpions are considered adults at age 2 and have a life span of up to 25 years.
Wende Gehrt is a Pinal County Master Gardener.
Arizona Giant Hairy Scorpion
InMaricopa.com | July 2025
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