By David Gilmer | Thoughts on Innovation
When it rains, it pours during monsoon season in Arizona! The heavy rainfall tends to disrupt the natural state of habitats for desert creatures and bugs resulting in unwanted guests, like scorpions.
Scorpions are more likely to crawl inside a home during these wetter months seeking dry, safe shelter.
While Arizona has 38 reported species of scorpions, the bark scorpion is the most common and the most venomous in North America. This little guy is 2- to 3-inches long and can hide in shoes, beds, clothes and many other unwanted places.
How can Arizonans keep these unwelcome guests from finding nooks and crannies in the house during monsoon season? Gilbert-based Scorpion Repel specializes in scorpion pest control and has four tips for homeowners.
Control all pests
Scottsdale is annually voted one of the most desired places to live but residents could probably do without the bugs. Cockroaches, ants and mosquitos are commonly found in “The West’s Most Western Town.”
Unfortunately, these pests will attract scorpions looking to feed. Scorpion Repel advises that the home or apartment be sprayed and protected from common pests to avoid attracting scorpions who tend to be especially hungry after a monsoon flood.
Clear debris
The increased construction around Scottsdale has added to bug and scorpion sightings, according to local pest control companies. Couple that with flooding and homeowners are in for a surprise host of pests.
Clearing unwanted debris and keeping firewood away from the home will help deter scorpions from the house. Wood and debris piles offer food, water and shelter for scorpions. Also be sure to trim back foliage and keep trees from touching the home as scorpions will often use tree limbs as a ladder to crawl into a building.
Don’t leave standing water
Standing water attracts pests like mosquitoes that can, in turn, attract scorpions looking to feed. Properly manage standing water after heavy rainfall and be sure to fix water leaks around the house.
Pool owners should also be wary of scorpions as heavy storms could potentially blow them into the backyard and even the pool. The water won’t easily kill a scorpion! This arachnid can live up to two to three hours inside a pool, crawling along the floor and walls.
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Seal-up beforehand
The most vital method to keep scorpions out of the home is to seal up before a storm. Residents should check the home or apartment for cracks and ways that a bug could crawl inside. Sealing entry before the rain falls keeps scorpions in the backyard and away from any family members or pets. It’s the most effective tool for prevention.
Given the latest increase in scorpion sightings, and Banner Health releasing a statement on the influx of scorpion stings, Scorpion Repel recommends taking action before even spotting one in the vicinity. Scorpion Repel uses a patented, one-time application, pesticide-free scorpion repellent that will permanently seal scorpions out of the home.
Editor’s note: Mr. Gilmer the COO at Scorpion Repel.