In Texas, there’s no escape from scorpions. Many residents find them in their homes from time to time. They can be crawling across the floor or resting under the bathroom or kitchen sink. Since they love dark places, they like to hide under debris and rocks as well as in linen closets, garages and under beds.

Of the 90 species in the United States, there are 18 scorpion species in Texas. However, it’s very rare for people to come across species other than the striped bark scorpion. Despite that, learning more about this species and scorpions in general can help you stay safe and know when to call for pest control.

An Overview of Scorpions

Contrary to popular belief, scorpions aren’t insects. They’re predatory arachnids that have eight jointed legs and up to six eyes. They use the stinger on the end of their segmented tails to deliver painful blows. Their large claws help them grasp and crush their prey. Some species can live for 25 years.

Scorpions can climb trees and crawl along branches to gain access to your home’s exterior walls and roof. They get inside through small cracks and crevices, where they could build a nest in your attic. When hot weather comes, they move into the lower levels of your home to stay cool.

Since scorpions are most active at night, you might only come across them when it’s dark. Because of that, it’ll probably see you before you see it and strike if it feels threatened.

Among the more than 1,500 scorpion species in the world, only a few have venomous stings that are deadly. In Houston, the sting from a striped bark scorpion is usually just painful. However, people who have a sensitivity to scorpion venom could have a life-threatening reaction.

Striped Bark Scorpion

You can differentiate the striped bark scorpion from other species by simply observing its appearance. It’s very small, only growing to a maximum of 1.5 inches as an adult. It can be 3 inches including the tail. You might be able to tell the gender too: the males are longer and more slender than the females.

The most distinguishing feature is its color, which usually has two shades. It can be a light red or orange color with a darker stripe down its back and darker triangular mark on the head. In Houston, Texas, this species tends to be on the paler side compared to those in other states.

Striped bark scorpions are a communal species, so they nest together. They eat a diet of crickets, spiders, worms and other small invertebrates. On an occasion, however, they may feed on each other.

The Importance of Scorpion Removal

When male and female striped bark scorpions mate, they can produce anywhere from 15 to 40 babies after eight months of gestation. Because of that, a scorpion infestation can develop quickly.

Contact Hart Pest Control for an estimate today.