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“Bark scorpion stings are on the rise, according to the Poison and Drug Information Center at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix.”
Dealing with bugs and pests like spiders, ants, and bees is a fact of life when you live in Arizona. One of the pests that draw the most concern is the scorpion. Naturally, many residents ask how do I avoid being stung by a scorpion? Luckily, there are some steps you can take to avoid the risk of you, your family, and pets being stung.
One of the most dangerous and venomous is the Arizona Bark Scorpion. A bite or more accurately, a sting from a bark scorpion is not only painful but potentially life-threatening if you don’t see immediate medical help. It’s important to note that, scorpions are not typically aggressive and they don’t sting unless provoked. Because they can control the amount of venom they release depending on how threatened they feel they are, if you do get stung, your symptoms and reaction may be less severe.
You can avoid a scorpion sting and reduce your risk if you know what to look for and how to act quickly. These tips can help reduce the chance of an unexpected sting. We do scorpion control throughout the metropolitan area from our offices in Phoenix and Gilbert. We serve everywhere in the valley including Peoria, Chandler, Mesa, and even out to Surprise.
Bark scorpion stings are on the rise, according to the Poison and Drug Information Center at Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix. It may not be possible to completely avoid bark scorpions, but you can cut down the risk of encountering one of them — and their stings — by recognizing their favorite spots in your home and being able to proactively monitor those areas.
According to a study by Banner Poison and Drug Information Center based on calls, 33 percent of scorpion sting victims were in the bedroom, 24 percent in the living room, and six percent in the bathroom. Here are 6 tips to avoid being one of the scorpion sting statistics:
Bark scorpions, like other types of scorpions, don’t have teeth. What they do have is a fang-like stinger, located in the tail, that can pierce the skin and inject a mixture of toxins that can affect the central nervous system.
Bark scorpions are typically two- to three inches long with two distinct parts to their bodies: The cephalothorax and abdomen, which includes the tail. It has eight jointed legs and a pair of pedipalps used to grab prey (kind of like lobster claws).
They prefer cool, dark places — like between rocks and in brush and trees — but can make their way into your home. You can spot them by their light brown to brownish-yellow color with dark lengthwise bands, but they also glow green under UV light. They’re most active in the spring, summer, and fall and hibernate during the winter.
Bark scorpions don’t seek out people or animals to sting but will if they feel threatened, especially if you stumble into their hiding spots.
Biologist Marilyn Bloom from Arizona State University’s Scorpion Antivenin Program says you can best avoid bark scorpion stings if you “don’t put your fingers or toes where you can’t see them.”
Of course, that’s often easier said than done.
Bark scorpion stings can feel a lot like a spider bite, but bark scorpion sting symptoms include an immediate burning feeling or pain, a little swelling, sensitivity to touch, and a numb or tingling sensation. Severe symptoms include unconsciousness, convulsions, and blurry vision and should be addressed with medical treatment immediately.
When in doubt, always seek medical attention. Better safe than sorry when it comes to bark scorpion stings. If you need scorpion control at your home or business, click here to get your free quote.
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