Oklahoma sure has its creepy crawlers. We have poisonous spiders, moles and gophers, large bugs and all sorts of different things that creep people out. But one of the most asked about insects in Oklahoma is the scorpion. Yes we do have scorpions Here in Oklahoma. Not only do we have them in Oklahoma, we have them in Green Country, the northeastern part of the state. Most people think that they’re only in deserts but that’s just not true. How do scorpions hunt their prey? Scorpions use their pincers to capture their prey and then poison them with their tail. Let’s take a deeper look into this insect and how it operates.
THE EATING HABITS OF THE SCORPION
So many people believe that scorpions are bugs but the truth is that they are technically an arachnid. They have much more in common with spiders than with other insects. In the continental United States, we have approximately 50 different species of scorpion. In Oklahoma it’s believed that we have between three and five species of scorpion but only one species that is common to the entire state. This species is known as the striped scorpion. It is yellowish tan with two broad, dark bands at the top of its abdomen. They can get as large as three and a half inches long but most in most cases are only about one or two. Contact your Tulsa pest control company for more details.
Scorpions will hide and wait for its prey to come near it. Once it does, it will jump out, grab its prey with its pinchers and sting it with a stinger on the end of its tail to immobilize it. It will then continue to suck the juices from the insect that it has caught. The scorpions found in Oklahoma are not considered to be dangerous to human beings, but they will sting humans if they are put in a position where they feel threatened. It’s important to keep an eye out for these arachnids, because even though they’re not dangerous they can still sting you and cause an allergic reaction. With some people, this allergic reaction can be very dangerous so it is important, if you get stung by a scorpion, to have it checked out immediately by a physician.
THE LIFECYCLE OF THE SCORPION
Scorpions will mate in the fall or early spring. The courting process is actually quite elaborate and can last from a day to a day and a half. Once this occurs, it can take anywhere from 5 months to a year for the eggs inside the mother to come to maturity. Females don’t lay eggs, the young are born alive in a semi-transparent sack. In one litter a female can produce between 15 and 100 offspring. The young scorpions will free themselves from their egg sac and climb on the back of the mother and remain there until their first molt. This molt will happen a couple days after they emerge from their egg sac.
Young scorpions are actually nourished by yolks in the egg sack. It’s a fallacy that they feed upon the body of the mother. After the first molt, they will leave their mother and begin to fend for themselves. It’s at this point that a young scorpion can start stinging. After another year, the young scorpion will get to sexual maturity and be able to reproduce themselves. The scorpions can live anywhere from three to five years depending upon their environment. You can get more information from your Broken Arrow exterminator.
GLOW IN THE DARK SCORPIONS
It is true that scorpions will glow under a UV light. Both alive and dead scorpions exhibit this phenomenon. The glow comes from chemicals that are found within the cuticle of their exoskeleton. As that exoskeleton hardens, the glow becomes more pronounced each time it molts. Scientists are unsure why this happens, but it’s definitely a common occurrence and a great way to find scorpions in your yard. These insects don’t enter our homes very often. They are hunters by nature and seek to hide in cool, dry places. Sometimes our homes offer a cool, dry place for them to go, and it’s these times that a scorpion will stumble into your home.
The biggest danger that scorpions offer to people is if they find their way into a shoe or somewhere where someone doesn’t notice them and comes in contact with the person. A bite from a scorpion can be very painful but seldom dangerous. Only if you’re severely allergic to their sting is it a life-threatening situation. Definitely seek medical attention if you’ve been stung by a scorpion.
PREVENTION
Removing hiding places from your home can be a great way of keeping scorpions from entering. Trash, logs, boards, stones and other objects are great places for them to hide. Removing this kind of clutter can do wonders in keeping scorpions out of your home. Keep your grass mowed especially close to your home. Prune bushes and overhanging tree branches away from the structure. Tree branches can give scorpions a highway to get onto your roof. Never bring firewood inside the structure unless it’s placed directly into a fire. Scorpions do like to hide inside firewood.
Anything you can do to seal your home better is good for keeping scorpions out. Weather stripping and caulking should be in good condition and provide a good seal around doors and windows. Keep window screens in good repair and tight fitting. Anything to keep scorpions from having access to your home will help keep them out. Contact your Tulsa exterminator for more helpful tips.
HOW TO GET RID OF SCORPIONS
Scorpions are somewhat difficult to get rid of for the same reason that spiders are. These arachnids suspend their bodies off of the ground much like spiders, giving them less contact with pesticide treated areas. But there are ways to control them. The first step is to contact your Broken Arrow pest control company. Here at TermMax Pest Control, we are the best in the business at controlling all sorts of insects, including spiders and scorpions. We service the greater Tulsa area including Owasso, Turley, Claremore, Coweta, Catoosa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, Pratville, Sand Springs, Sapulpa and much more. Call today for a free estimate. We’re here to help!
