The Answers To Austin's Most Commonly Asked Scorpion Questions

a common scorpion crawling in the dirt
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Austin is a historic town, and history always brings a little bit of folklore with it. Myths, legends, and old wives' tales all have their place. For instance, the legend about scorpions around here says that scorpions in your home are either a harbinger of good fortune or a symbolic ushering in a new chapter in life. Many people even think that when they see a scorpion, it's time to get rid of the old and begin something new (which can create turmoil in many households, as you can imagine). However, as with many legends, a scorpion infestation in your Houston home does have a scientific explanation, and it's a rather alarming one. 

What Does A Scorpion In Your House Mean? 

While it can be fun to think that the universe is trying to tell you something by sending a scorpion into your home, the real reason you could have a scorpion scare is a lot less fun. You see, scorpions typically enter your home through cracks, crevices, and openings that you have not taken care of. Plus, they're usually hot on the trail of their next meal — insects. The only thing new that seeing a scorpion in your home should usher in is new pest control practices.

How Poisonous Is A Scorpion?

A majority of scorpions in the Texas area can transfer their venom to humans. However, a sting is rarely fatal as long as the victim seeks immediate medical attention. The most common scorpion in Austin, the striped bark scorpion, has a very painful sting that has sent victims into anaphylactic shock in certain cases. Without proper medical attention, other medical complications can arise as well.

How Can You Keep Scorpions Out Of Your Home?

Since most scorpions in the area are small, especially the striped bark scorpion, it can be very difficult to keep them out of your home. However, here's where you can use a scorpion's preferred diet to your advantage. Many of the same methods you should use to keep scorpions out of your home will also limit the number of pests that get in. If scorpions don't feel like your home has a good food source, they probably won't bother invading it. Here are some of the best ways to keep pests and scorpions out of your house.

  • Limit easy entry points. You'll give yourself a much better chance to keep them out by sealing up cracks and crevices around your house.
  • Address moisture issues. Many pests thrive in damp environments, so limiting moisture buildup in your home can help prevent pest buildup as well.
  • Commit to regular cleaning. By wiping down counters and vacuuming and mopping consistently, you can reduce the crumbs that might attract insects.
  • Store your food and trash properly. Leaving food out overnight or storing food and garbage in easily accessible containers is one of the quickest ways to attract pests.

What Is The Best Scorpion Killer? 

While the internet might give you plenty of tips on the best ways to kill or scare scorpions away, most of these are either dangerous, ineffective, or (usually) both. If you want to take care of a scorpion problem the first time, professional pest control services are the only guaranteed solution. So make the right choice. Don't waste your money on hazardous or ineffective home remedies. Contact the experts at White Knight Pest Control to keep your home and family safe today.