Scorpions are common pests that hide in cool, dark places during the day. Basements, attics, and crawl spaces are popular scorpion hideouts in the home.
They hide so well that it is often difficult to spot an infestation before it becomes a serious issue. If you spot one scorpion in your house, chances are that there are more of them.
So, how do you catch a scorpion in your house? In this article, we will highlight some simple ways to do that.
Scorpions love to hide in cool, dark places during the day. If you notice a scorpion in your house, here are a few effective methods you can try out to catch it:
- Placement of sticky traps in infested areas
- Leave wet clothes or gunny sacks in places with scorpion activities
- Use shallow bowl traps
- Sprinkle borax acid on the infested areas
Here are a few methods. More methods are discussed below.
Regardless of your choice of strategy, remember to take the necessary precautions. Wear long sleeves, pants, closed shoes, and gloves.
You will learn eight effective do-it-yourself methods to catch scorpions in your house in the following headings. A FAQ section has been included to answer other pertinent questions about scorpion infestations in buildings.
8 Ways To Catch a Scorpion in Your House
Scorpions are pros at playing hiding games. The best way to eliminate them from buildings is to call on pest control professionals. However, if you want to catch scorpions yourself, here are some strategies that can help:
1. Place Sticky Traps in the Infested Areas
Sticky traps are popular strategies for catching rodents and other small household pests. You can put these traps to work to catch scorpions hiding in your house.
To use, place these traps near water sources and dark places where scorpions hide. These include closets, garages, and other areas where you have spotted scorpions.
Setting sticky traps around your house will help you track your house’s scorpion population. If you have children or pets, ensure you buy non-toxic sticky traps to prevent accidents.
2. Use Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Diatomaceous Earth is a dust-like substance made from diatoms. While it has a dehydrating effect on pests, it is safe for humans and pets.
It has sharp edges that can cut through a scorpion’s exoskeleton. So, sprinkle diatomaceous earth in areas where there is likely to be scorpion contact.
These include cracks, crevices, door thresholds, and hidden areas indoors. As a bonus, diatomaceous earth helps deal with unwanted insects alongside your scorpion infestation problem.
3. Apply Spider Spray
Scorpions are classified as arachnids, the same arthropods class as spiders. So, the same poison that kills spiders can kill them.
You can get any spider spray from the stores to eliminate scorpions hiding in your home.
However, take caution with spider sprays, as they can be toxic to pets.
4. Leave Cats Close to the Scorpion Hideouts
Most cats see scorpions as prey. You can take advantage of this to catch scorpions hiding in your house. While not all cat species are interested in these venomous arachnids, those interested tend to chase, kill and eat them.
Their fascination with scorpions stems from the curiosity cats have about a scorpion’s quick movements.
Even though this strategy is not foolproof, cats are not immune to scorpion stings. Bark scorpions, for example, pose a great risk to humans and cats.
They are considered the most venomous scorpion species, and their sting poses serious health risks. So, be vigilant if you notice your cat swatting at a scorpion within the house.
5. Rubber Band
Another way to catch scorpions in the house is by using rubber bands. However, this technique only works if they have created a sheltered spot in your house.
Here, your first assignment is to spot the holes where they hide. Once you have identified the spot, insert a rubber band into them. This rubber band should reach the hole’s end and touch the scorpion.
Once the scorpion touches the rubber band, it instinctively grabs it with its claws. At this point, apply pressure to the rubber band, gently pulling itself to you. This should drag the scorpion out along with the rubber band.
6. Leave Wet Clothes or Gunny Sacks Around the Infested Locations
Due to their need for water, especially during the hot season, scorpions are drawn to humid areas. You would typically find scorpions on wet surfaces and attached to water-bearing objects.
These include wet clothes and sacks. Scorpions can attach to these wet materials for long periods to absorb moisture.
So, you can use their need for water during the dry season to your advantage. The process is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is place strips of wet clothes in a different spot at night.
Scorpions will find their way into these strips of cloth and stay there till morning. However, this strategy requires expert caution, as it can be dangerous.
7. Sprinkle Boric Acid or Borax on the Affected Areas
Boric acid is a natural substance that, if sprayed on scorpions, can kill them. Once you have spotted scorpion hiding areas in your house, sprinkle boric acid there.
Sprinkling boric acid also helps eliminate the insects that may have attracted scorpions to your house.
However, this technique is slow-acting, as the chemical takes time to dry the scorpions. During this time, the scorpion will still have the ability to sting.
So, although you have applied a pesticide, exercise caution until the scorpion is dead. Remember to keep pets away from boric acid, as it can be dangerous when ingested or inhaled.
8. Shallow Bowl Traps
You can create a scorpion trap out of shallow bowls. Get shallow bowls with water, soap, sodium borate, and boric acid.
Then, please place them in dark spots where scorpions tend to hide. The water will draw the scorpions out of hiding and trapped in the bowl.
Once they taste the boric acid and other chemicals in the bowls, they will begin to dry out.
Conclusion
The best time to catch scorpions is at night when they are more active. Their exoskeletons glow in ultraviolet light, so you can use a black light bulb flashlight to seek them out.
Depending on your preference, the above are eight practical ways to catch them yourself.
Before you jump into the DIY spirit to try out the strategies above, don’t forget to take extra precautions by wearing long sleeves, pants, closed shoes, and gloves. Also, use long tweezers to create a distance between you and the scorpion(s).
However, if the infestation seems more than what you can handle, it is time to call in the professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do Scorpions Go Into Houses?
The first thing you should know is that scorpions don’t want to live in your house since there are not enough fresh water and food sources for them.
Scorpions stuck in basements and attics often go unnoticed and die of starvation or drought. You may only find scorpions in your house because it is cold.
Scorpions often seek shelter during hot seasons or droughts. They enter areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements in search of water.
What Should I Do After Spotting a Scorpion at Home?
Once you spot a scorpion in your house, avoid going near it, and you don’t get stung. Whatever you do, don’t panic, as panicking and screaming can make the scorpion run away.
When this happens, you lose sight of them. This is even worse than seeing a scorpion in your house, as you cannot tell where exactly it is hiding. At this point, it is advisable to call professional exterminators to handle the problem safely.
