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The Valley of the Sun is known for its endless days of sunshine, which can in turn mean endless days of unwanted pests. Bug activity declines as the weather turns cooler, but that does not mean that bugs are gone altogether. The mild winter climate in Phoenix encourages continuous activity from the very feared and fierce, scorpion. There are about 90 species of scorpions in the United States, and approximately 40 reside in Arizona. The majority of scorpions seen in the Valley are usually tan in color and approximately three inches long. The most witnessed scorpion in Valley homes is the Arizona bark scorpion. During the day, the bark scorpion can be found under rocks, tree bark, or woodpiles. This scorpion, along with all other types, is active during the night and can be exposed by using a black light. In order to ensure protection of your family and pets at home, prevention treatments and practices are recommended at all times of the year, even the winter months. Simple steps to slow down scorpion traffic: • Make sure that all areas surrounding the home are clear of debris. • Disperse preventative granules around all sides of your home, especially in areas with river rock or gravel. • Apply spray on the homes’ outside walls, covering the perimeter of doors and window frames, sidewalks and patios. • Apply inside spray in areas of the home, including along baseboards and doorframes. Run-ins with scorpions can also be avoided by adding a few helpful habits to one’s daily routine. Checking shoes and clothes before dressing is a very simple precaution that can decrease the chance of being stung. The scorpion has a small yet lethal venom ball at the end of its tail called the telson, which can bring great pain to its victims. If you find yourself in a situation where you have fallen victim to a scorpion sting, don’t fret. The chances of fatality are very slim and the sting can be cured with a few simple instructions. After being stung, many will feel immediate pain accompanied by a numbing sensation. If it is a young child or someone elderly, immediately contact a doctor or poison control; otherwise treat the sting by simply washing the area with soap and water. Follow this with a cool compress, using on and off the area as needed. Being stung by a scorpion can be scary, but the incident can be quickly taken care of with these easy steps. Joe LaBrie is operations manager for Bug & Weed Mart, a do-it-yourself retail chain that specializes in bug and weed prevention. To learn more about pest prevention and protection you can visit www.bugweedmart.com or on Facebook www.facebook.com/bugandweedmart.
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pest control, scorpions, desert, arizona, phoenix,
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