How to Get Rid of Scorpions With Home Remedies

Insects attract scorpions.

Scorpions are well known for their ability to inflict painful and potentially dangerous stings. While you might tolerate some scorpions in a garden because they keep other insects under control, huge numbers of scorpions can be a nuisance. The chances of a family member or pet disturbing one and getting stung are particularly high if scorpions are invading your home. A variety of simple home remedies exist to get rid of scorpions, or at least encourage them to stay outside where they belong.

Things You'll Need

• Work gloves
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Pruning tools
• Insect-proof containers
• Mesh insect covers
• Caulk or plaster
• Door sweeps
• Broom
• Bucket
• Newspaper
• Black light

Instructions

1. Put on work gloves and a long-sleeved shirt before working in areas where scorpions might be present.

2. Trim back vegetation from around your house. Vegetation provides shelter both for scorpions and for their prey.

3. Move piles of rubble, firewood, bricks, rocks and similar materials as far away from your house as possible, and relocate compost heaps. Scorpions view such piles as lovely scorpion homes, from where they might venture inside your home.

4. Put dried food into insect-proof containers, such as glass jars. Cover fruit bowls and clean away crumbs and spillages. Scorpions don’t eat these foods, but the insects they feed on, such as roaches, beetles and flies, do. Scorpions are less likely to invade your home if there isn’t an abundant supply of prey insects inside.

5. Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors and pipes with caulk, plaster or another appropriate building material. Fit door sweeps on external door gaps.

6. Sweep stray scorpions into a bucket and empty it outside. Alternatively, squash them with a rolled-up newspaper. A black light illuminates scorpions at night.

Tips & Warnings

• A small flock of chickens in your yard keeps scorpion numbers down, according to the University of Florida.

• In the event of a scorpion sting, the Mayo Clinic recommends washing the wound and applying a cold compress. Anti-inflammatories reduce the severity of the symptoms. If you have a serious reaction or a known allergy, seek medical attention. Always seek medical attention if a child is stung. Phone your local veterinary clinic for advice in the event of a scorpion stinging a pet.

References

• “Good Housekeeping”; How to Get Rid of Scorpions; Heloise
• University of Florida; Stinging or Venomous Insects and Related Pests; P. G. Koehler & F. M. Oi
• Mayo Clinic: Scorpion Stings