Scorpion Control in Georgia

Scorpions are primarily nocturnal, predatory, carnivorous arachnids in the order Scorpiones. The striped scorpion, Centruroides vittatus (shown on the right), is the most common scorpion in America.

Like all arachnids, scorpions have two main body regions. The front part is the cephalothorax, or "head," which contains the mouthparts and eyes and to which the legs and claws are attached. The abdomen consists of the mesosoma (which contains most of the vital organs), and the metasoma (the tail and stinger). The scorpion's tail has five segments. At the very tip of the tail is the stinger, which they use to paralyze larger prey so they can eat it. They also use their stingers for self-defense when needed.

Scorpions have a pair of enlarged pedipalps, or claws, as their foremost appendages. The claws and tails are the most easily recognizable features of scorpions, and are the main reasons they're so scary looking. They also have four pairs of walking legs attached to the cephalothorax behind the pedipalps and can run quite quickly (although they also have a habit of remaining motionless for extended periods of time). Scorpions also have two eyes on the tops of their heads, and four to ten eyes along the fronts of their heads. Most scorpions grow to a length of about two inches.

Scorpions live on insects and other small invertebrates, and occasionally small vertebrates such as small lizards and mice. They usually hunt during the night and spend their days hidden in dark places such as under rocks, under the bark of trees, or under inverted buckets or kiddie pools. Hunters and backpackers can also tell you that scorpions have a habit of climbing into their shoes and boots when their owners are not wearing them, which is one good reason to shake out your shoes before putting them on!

Scorpions and Health

The Southern Devil Scorpion, Vejovis carolinianus, is commonly encountered by Georgia exterminators.

Contrary to popular belief, except for a few species found in the Southwest, the venom of most scorpions (including all of the species in Georgia) is not potent enough to be fatal to most healthy humans. Our Georgia scorpions can deliver a very painful sting, however; and any scorpion sting can be life-threatening to someone who is allergic to them.

Scorpion Control

As with all of the pest control work we do, we approach scorpion control using an integrated pest management philosophy that emphasizes non-chemical control measures to minimize the need for insecticides. Effective scorpion control consists of the following steps:

• Habitat reduction to reduce harborage areas such as stones, bricks, or firewood on the ground; wooden debris; buckets, and other places where scorpions can hide.
• Sealing entry points into homes and other buildings to exclude scorpions. This can consist of caulking, installing door sweeps, sealing around pipes and wires, etc.
• Where necessary, judicious application of insecticides that are properly-labeled for scorpion control.

Rid-A-Critter provides professional scorpion in Atlanta, Athens, Macon, Columbus, Roswell, and throughout North Central Georgia. For help with scorpion control or any pest control problem, please call us today.