Scorpions are part of life in the Las Vegas valley
If you've found a scorpion in the bathtub, on a bedroom wall or inside a shoe, you're not alone. Scorpions live throughout the Mojave Desert, and the neighborhoods of the Las Vegas valley were built right on top of their habitat. Block walls, rock landscaping, palm trees and watered yards give them plenty of places to hide and plenty of insects to eat.
Vegas Pest Marketplace is a free service. Tell us what you're seeing, and a licensed Nevada pest control company that serves your area will call you back to talk through your options and give you a free estimate.
Meet the bark scorpion
The scorpion Las Vegas homeowners run into most often is the Arizona bark scorpion. A few things set it apart:
- Size and color: it's small and slender, usually about 2 to 3 inches long, and light tan to yellowish brown.
- Thin pincers and tail: bark scorpions have long, skinny pincers and a thin tail, unlike the bulkier look of some other desert scorpions.
- It climbs: bark scorpions can climb stucco, block walls, trees and other rough surfaces, so they turn up on walls and ceilings, not just floors.
- It hides in tight spaces: during the day they tuck into cracks, under rocks and pavers, in woodpiles, around pool equipment and in irrigation boxes.
You may also see the desert hairy scorpion. It's much bigger, with a yellowish body and hairy tail, and it usually stays outdoors in sandy or open desert areas. It shows up inside homes far less often than the bark scorpion.
When scorpions are most active
Scorpions come out at night, and they're most active in the warm months, roughly spring through fall. During the hottest part of summer they look for cooler, damp places, which can bring them into bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and garages. They slow down when it gets cold, but a warm winter day can still bring one out.
Why scorpions come inside
Scorpions follow their food. They eat crickets, roaches, spiders and other insects, so a home with lots of bugs around it is more appealing to them. Water is the other draw. Leaky hose bibs, damp planters and drip lines create the moist spots they like. Once they're near the house, small gaps around doors, windows, pipes and weep holes can let them in.
How to check for scorpions at night
Scorpions glow under ultraviolet (UV) light. After sunset, walk your yard, block walls, patio and garage with a UV flashlight, sometimes called a blacklight. Scorpions that are nearly invisible in the dark light up clearly. If you spot several in one evening, it's a good time to have a licensed company take a look.
Simple steps you can take today
- Shake out shoes, gloves, towels and clothes left on the floor before you use them.
- Pull beds and cribs a few inches away from the wall, and keep bedding off the floor.
- Wear gloves when moving rocks, firewood, pavers or yard debris.
- Keep firewood, lumber and storage boxes off the ground and away from the house.
- Trim plants and branches so they don't touch the walls or roof.
- Fix leaky outdoor faucets, and don't overwater near the foundation.
- Cut down on the bugs scorpions eat. Fewer crickets and roaches means less food for scorpions.
How a licensed company can help with scorpions
Scorpions are tough. They can go a long time without eating, and they hide in places that are hard to reach. A licensed Nevada pest control company can inspect your home and yard, point out where scorpions are likely hiding and getting in, and explain service options that fit your home. Because scorpions follow their food, the plan usually covers the other insects around your home too. From scorpions down to the tiniest ant, you can ask about everything you're seeing in the same free estimate.
Ready for a free estimate?
Fill out the short form. Your request goes to a licensed Nevada pest control company that serves your part of the valley, including Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, Spring Valley, Paradise, Enterprise and Whitney. They'll call you to talk through what you're seeing. It's free to use, and there's no obligation.
Questions
Are bark scorpions dangerous?
A bark scorpion sting is painful, and some people react more strongly than others. For a sting with severe symptoms, call a doctor or Poison Control.
Why do I keep finding scorpions in the bathtub?
Scorpions like cool, damp spots, and bathrooms have both. They can climb rough walls but have trouble climbing smooth surfaces, so once one drops into a tub or sink, it often can't get back out.
Can I get rid of scorpions myself?
The steps above can help cut down on how many you see. Scorpions are hardy and hide well, so many homeowners choose to have a licensed company help with them, especially when they keep finding them indoors.
Do newer neighborhoods get scorpions too?
Yes. Building on the edge of the desert disturbs scorpions that already live there, and some move into the nearest yards and homes.
Does this cost anything?
No. Vegas Pest Marketplace is free for homeowners. You only pay the pest control company if you decide to hire them. The estimate is free, and there's no obligation.