Kill a Scorpion
Scorpions are notoriously hard to kill. These venomous arachnids are used to living in harsh conditions, so they don't bat an eyelash at most pesticides. The surest way to get rid of a scorpion is to pierce its exoskeleton with a sharp object, or employ a scorpion-loving animal with sharp teeth to do the job for you. Read on below the jump to get started.
Contents
Steps
Piercing the Exoskeleton with a Tool
- Cover your body with protective clothing. Wear jeans or other pants made from thick material, heavy leather shoes, and thick gloves, just in case the scorpion somehow gets close enough to your body to strike.
- Find a sharp object. In Arizona, where scorpions are a common sight in bedrooms and backyards, large, long tweezers are sold at hardware stores. These allow you to pierce the exoskeleton, then grasp the scorpion and dispose of it. If this tool isn't available in your area, a pair of scissors with long blades, a long knife, or another long, sharp object will work.
- Quickly stab the object into the scorpion's body. Scorpions aren't typically very fast, but act quickly to make sure you're able to kill the scorpion before it gets away. If necessary, pierce the scorpion again until you're sure it is no longer alive.
- You can also use a blunt object, like a heavy book, shoe, or sledgehammer, to crush the scorpion instead of piercing it. However, some scorpions have the ability to flatten themselves as thin as a coin, so just hitting the scorpion with your hard striking surface may not be enough to kill it. You'll need to twist your shoe, rock or other hard object will ensure that the scorpion is crushed and killed. When the scorpion has stopped moving or when its body is in several pieces, it is likely dead.
- You can also use a blunt object, like a heavy book, shoe, or sledgehammer, to crush the scorpion instead of piercing it. However, some scorpions have the ability to flatten themselves as thin as a coin, so just hitting the scorpion with your hard striking surface may not be enough to kill it. You'll need to twist your shoe, rock or other hard object will ensure that the scorpion is crushed and killed. When the scorpion has stopped moving or when its body is in several pieces, it is likely dead.
- Look for scorpions at night. If scorpions are becoming a problem in your household, you can get rid of them by methodically killing them at night, when they're active. Get a black lightbulb from the hardware store and place it in a flashlight. Shine the light on walls, in corners, along baseboards, and in other areas where scorpions tend to spend time. Their exoskeletons will glow in the black light.
- Don't forget to check outside walls on your property, too. Scorpions can also be found in outdoor rock piles and other sources of shelter.
- Consider hiring a professional pest control agency. If the thought of interacting with scorpions makes you want to run and hide, consider calling a professional to help you out. In some areas you can hire a professional to come to your house and hunt scorpions for you.
- Some pest control agencies might suggest using a pesticide application instead of killing the scorpions by hand. It might be worth a try, but many people have found pesticides to be ineffective in getting rid of scorpions.
- Some pest control agencies might suggest using a pesticide application instead of killing the scorpions by hand. It might be worth a try, but many people have found pesticides to be ineffective in getting rid of scorpions.
Trying Alternative Methods
- Let a cat loose. Cats are predators of scorpions, and most will be happy to hunt, kill and eat them so you don't have to worry about getting rid of them yourself. If you don't already have a cat, consider adopting one.
- Install a chicken coop. Chickens also enjoy eating scorpions. They keep other pests at bay, too, including insects scorpions eat, making them doubly effective at reducing the scorpion population.
- Try diatomaceous earth. This natural substance is made from ground up fossils. It's a fine white powder that can be sprinkled in doorways, cracks and crevices both indoors and outdoors. It's completely safe for humans and pets to be around, but the tiny shards of fossil effectively pierce scorpions' exoskeletons when they happen to scuttle over the powder. Diatomaceous earth also kills spiders, roaches and other insects.
- Set out sticky traps. The same traps that can be used to get rid of mice or roaches work for scorpions, too. Set them up in dark corners and near sources of water. If you catch a scorpion, throw the trap away and set out another one in the same area, since it's likely a spot that more scorpions will be attracted to.
Keeping Scorpions Out of the House
- Remove sources of shelter. Scorpions like to live in dark places that provide shelter. Check both inside and outside for items that might be acting as convenient hiding places for scorpions.
- Make sure your boxes are sealed and stored off the ground on shelves.
- Get rid of clutter. Keep your clothes and shoes well organized and off the floor, if possible.
- Remove wood and rock piles from your yard.
- Get rid of other pests. Scorpions feed on insects, so if you have other pest problems in your house, it'll be hard to control the scorpion population. Keeping the house clean, sprinkling boric acid or diatomaceous earth along baseboards, and using insecticide are all ways you can eliminate pests.
- Seal your house. Scorpions are able to flatten their bodies to fit through very small holes and cracks. Examine your home's foundation for spots that might be serving as entry points. Fill them with caulk. Check your doors, window frames, vents, chimney, and other spots for areas where scorpions can get in, and make sure they're properly sealed.
- Keep your house dry. Scorpions are attracted to wet spots. Make sure none of your pipes are leaking, and install a ventilator in your bathroom so it dries quickly after use. Don't leave wet towels on the floor.
Tips
- Use a Black Light (UV)to find the Scorpions outside at night since they are nocturnal and blend in with their surroundings. You may even find babies in the grass with this light. They will glow a bright green when under the light.
- Act fast when attempting to kill a scorpion. Scorpions can move fast, making it difficult to find them if they crawl under or through something.
- Spread diatomaceous earth around entire perimeter of the house. It will not prevent their entrance, but the chemical compound dehydrates the scorpion quickly.
- Use a portable propane torch to kill scorpions on a block wall in seams. If you heat it up good, You will kill all of the scorpions inside the wall too.
- If you frequently kill scorpions in and around your home, then focus on eliminating bugs in your home. Scorpions eat bugs, so they are typically present with an influx of bugs. Eliminating their source of food will eliminate their presence in and around your home.
- Simpler tip- Pour vinegar on it!
- Scorpions glow in the dark. Utilize a black light at night or turn off the lights in your house to help you find the scorpions.
- Scorpions tend to play dead. Never pick one up with your bare hands even if you are sure you killed it.
Warnings
- Never pick up a scorpion with your bare hands. You could get stung.
- Don't step on a scorpion in an attempt to crush it with your bare feet. You will get stung.
- Arizona Bark Scorpions, which live in New Mexico and Arizona, are dangerous even with one venomous sting. Please do not attempt to pick up an Arizona Bark Scorpion.
Things You'll Need
- Scorpion
- Hard striking surface
- Pesticide
- Cat or chicken
- Black light
- Portable propane torch
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