How to Use a Black Light to Check for Scorpions in the Home

Scorpions come out at night.

If you've seen a scorpion in your house, it's time to seal up the cracks and crevices in your home and eliminate scorpion hiding places. Then check around your home for more scorpions. Scorpions are nocturnal, so they hide during the day and come out at night. Because scorpions glow under ultraviolet light, you can use a black light to search inside your home for scorpions.

Instructions

1. Keep the lights off for at least an hour before you start searching for scorpions with the black light. The scorpions will start moving around in the darkness.

2. Scan the walls of each room of your house with your black light. Look in the corners of the walls, in the crevices of moldings, behind baseboard trim, and on the ceiling near recessed lights and air vents.

3. Shine the black light in enclosed spaces, such as closets and the attic. Especially check rooms with a water source -- kitchens, bathrooms, and wherever you keep pet water dishes.

4. Scan your bedding with the black light. Check under the covers and pillows, and inside the pillowcases. The last thing you want is to crawl into bed with an unexpected guest.

5. Examine shoes, boots and slippers for hidden scorpions. Shine the light inside the footwear and look for the eerie glow of a scorpion.

Tips & Warnings

• Take action to protect your house from scorpions. Use the link in the resource section below for helpful management tips.

References

• University of Arizona Cooperative Extension: Scorpions
• University of California IPM Online: Scorpions