All about Scorpions

Luckily for Floridians, Scorpions are not found all that often in central Florida.  However, it doesn’t mean they don’t exist in the area, because they absolutely do! The average Floridian will run across one every few years.  But every once in a while, someone will either run across several scorpions at once or find evidence of scorpion infestation, such as exoskeletons or carcasses spread throughout an area.  In this case, it’s best to know what you’re up against.

1. Scorpions that exist in Florida do not have the kind of venom that usually kills people.  If you get stung by a scorpion, it’s going to hurt and it’s probably going to hurt pretty badly.  But – it’s not going to kill you unless you happen to be one of the unlucky few that are extremely allergic to scorpion venom.  In this case, antivenin is available and can be used.
2. Scorpions will shy away from human contact.  Most people are stung because the scorpion is hiding in something like a shoe or the sleeve of a jacket.  The person then goes to put their toes in the shoe or their arm in the jacket and the scorpion attacks out of fear.
3. Most scorpions, if they do make it inside, can be found either under the porch or in the attic.
4. Scorpions hang around their food source, which include ants, termites and other small insects.  If you get rid of the food source, the scorpions will leave to find another food source.
5. Scorpions glow when exposed to ultra-violet lights.  If you have some kind of black light, simply wait until dark, use your black light and they are easier to find (and kill).

There are three main types of scorpions in the Kissimmee-St Cloud area:

Florida Bark Scorpion (aka Slender Brown Scorpion): This is the largest species of scorpions in Florida and can sometimes be 4 inches long.  This type of scorpion is also the most common seen in pet stores.   Like the name implies, they can be found in piles of wood, which is also how they are commonly brought inside. If someone has a pile of wood outside their house, it’s easy to just pick up a pile with a scorpion in it and carry it into your house.

Guiana Striped Scorpion: This scorpion is usually found towards the southern end of Florida, but has been found in Central Florida as well. It has a mostly yellow body with red stripes and is slightly smaller than the Florida Bark Scorpion.

Hentz striped scorpion: This type of scorpion is the most common in Florida and is also the smallest.  The average size of these scorpions is less than 3 inches long.  Chances are, if you find a scorpion in your house, it’s probably a Hentz Striped Scorpion.