Most Texans have run into a scorpion once or twice … or more in their lives. For anyone who has suffered a sting from these little “fight first, ask questions later” kind of mind sent arachnid; they know it’s best to avoid confrontation. Texas has around 20 species of scorpions scurrying through the state, but the most common species crossing paths with the locals is the Striped Bark Scorpion. And don’t think because the weather is cooling, you are out of the woods. Because scorpions don’t have any way to create their own body heat, they depend on the warmth of the environment to help them stay alive. That means in the cooler weather that scorpions are either finding safe spots outdoors or a nice warm spot inside your home! With that in mind, we at A-Tex Pest Management would shine the spotlight on them to give you a little more awareness.
What Do Striped Bark Scorpions Look Like?
Being that scorpions, in general, are part of the arachnid family, striped bark scorpions included have 8 legs, with a set of pincers in the front, similar to that of a lobster. Their long tail is about half of their total length and at the tip a venomous stinger, with the males usually having a slightly longer tail. Striped bark scorpions vary on the base color from a yellowish color to a medium-dark tan color and have two distinct, dark stripes running down the length of their back. These scorpions average approximately 2 ½” in length.
What Do Striped Bark Scorpions Eat?
Striped bark scorpions are actually one of nature’s best pest control forces if you don’t mind dealing with a scorpion that is. They consume centipedes, flies, and other spiders. Unlike their spider cousin’s that, for the most part, spin webs to catch their prey, striped bark scorpions will hunt down their prey, catch them with their ferocious pincers and deliver a fatal sting, which the venom will then quickly take their lives. Considering that the striped bark scorpions have tiny mouths, they actually require doing the majority of their digesting externally. They do this by coughing up digestive fluids onto their prey and then drinking their liquefied remains.
Striped Bark Scorpions Habitat
Not only are the striped bark striped scorpions most commonly found in Texas, but they are also the most commonly observed. Though pests such as arachnids and insects are not subject to manmade borders, striped bark scorpions live throughout the United States and Mexico, but are more populated in Texas. Scorpions, including the striped bark scorpion, are typically nocturnal and will look for shelter in cool, damp spots. Texas summers are too hot for these little critters and so they seek refuge from the scorching sun in our homes and the shade of our gardens. They can be found hiding from the intense sun’s rays under logs, rocks, or even if they are lucky enough to come into your nice air-conditioned home.
Striped Bark Scorpion Stings
These scorpions don’t intentionally pick fights with humans, nor do they mistake us for food. But if you get stung it is often because you surprised them by getting so close and instead of waiting for your intentions to be made clear, they defend themselves. Usually, it is because you are disturbing the place they are currently calling home. The sting will be a bit painful to endure, and where there are approximately 25 species of scorpions capable of fatally stinging humans, striped bark scorpions are not one of them. However, just like people can be allergic to the venom in bee stings, the same can be true of the venom of bark stripped scorpions, where death is possible due to the anaphylactic shock and if medical treatment is neglected. Symptoms of allergic reactions vary, but a sure sign is difficulty breathing. Everyone, if stung, will experience about 20 minutes of piercing stabbing pain, followed by an additional couple of days of mild discomfort.
Striped Bark Scorpion Inspections, Prevention & Control in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park, Texas
If you find the striped bark scorpions in your home or business call in A-Tex Pest Management. Scorpions are resilient and difficult to control, but our methods and techniques are effective and we will clear out your scorpion intruders. Call us today to get started!