How to identify and get rid of scorpions

Putting your foot in your boot or shoe and feeling a painful sting can ruin anyone's day. And for those living in the Southwest, this is a normal thing to look out for.

But for those not accustomed to sharing their homes with scorpions, this can come as a nasty surprise.

Scorpions are closely related to spiders and ticks but aren't as common as their arachnid cousin. They are typically found in more arid and semi-arid environments, like deserts and glades, but they can also live in jungles and temperate environments.

They especially like to hide during the day under rocks, logs, clutter, or on trees and walls. At night, they actively hunt for food, while others wait in burrows until something comes skittering along in the dark. Most scorpions can't see very well, so they rely on vibrations in the ground to determine if something is nearby. Their eyes can, however, sense movement and changes in light.

There are around 90 species of scorpion in the United States, most of which are found in the Southern and Southwestern portions of the US. Only about five species live east of the Mississippi.

While different scorpions may look slightly different, the most common characteristics include:

• Two main body parts - the cephalothorax and the abdomen
• Pincers – used to catch prey
• Stinger – the most iconic appendage of a scorpion
• Four pairs of legs – the pincers don't count

Scorpions come in a few different colors, including yellow, tan, light brown, and dark brown.

Scorpions might look scary with their pinchers and stinger, but most of them aren't too dangerous to people, especially if you don't bother them.

There are different kinds of scorpions with varying degrees of venom in their sting, but only a few can really hurt humans with their sting. The sting from most scorpions is like a bee sting—it hurts, but it's usually not a big deal unless you're allergic.

However, the Arizona bark scorpion can be pretty dangerous, especially to kids or if someone is allergic.

Scorpions glow if you shine a UV light on them. No one really knows why, but there is a substance in their exoskeleton called beta-carboline that fluoresces when exposed to UV light. You can hunt for scorpions at night by shining a UV flashlight on the ground.

Scorpions are predators, so they attack other invertebrates like insects, spiders, centipedes, and other scorpions. If they are a bit larger, they will go after small vertebrates like lizards, rodents, and snakes.

The scorpion uses its stinger to inject venom into its prey and kill it. Sometimes, if the prey is small enough, they won't need to use their stinger and will seize the prey and eat it alive.

Getting rid of scorpions can be a bit of a project, but it's possible with the right strategies. Here's how you can make your home a no-scorpion zone:

Seal it up: Check around your house for any cracks, crevices, or gaps in doors and windows. Scorpions can squeeze through tiny spaces, so seal those up tight with caulk or weather stripping.

Clean up and Sweep: Keep your place tidy, both inside and out. Scorpions love to hide in clutter, so clear out any stacks of wood, piles of leaves, or heaps of junk where they might camp out.

Moisture Control: Scorpions need water and are drawn to moist areas. Fix any leaky faucets or pipes, and keep things dry around the home.

Landscaping: Trim back bushes and trees that touch your house to remove easy pathways for scorpions to get in. Also, consider using gravel or stone instead of mulch, which holds moisture and attracts their prey.

If you're in an area where scorpions are common, don't leave shoes, boots, or clothing outside. Make sure to shake out any footwear or pool towels before using them. Also, wear shoes when walking outside at night.