The Arizona Bark Scorpion Can Cause Severe Illness

When scorpions come to mind, many immediately think of danger! For the most part, many species of scorpions throughout the United States aren’t more dangerous than a bee sting. If you are allergic, then there is undoubtedly a cause for alarm. Unfortunately, that can’t be said of one scorpion in particular. The Arizona Bark Scorpion is the only scorpion in the United States whose venom is considered lethal to humans, and special measures should be taken.

Arizona Bark Scorpion Appearance

The Arizona Bark Scorpion is a fairly small arachnid, only reaching a maximum length of 2.5 inches (6.4 cm). These scorpions are often tan, though they can be yellowish or nearly orange. They have darker backs ranging from slightly darker brown or deep orange to almost black. Those in higher elevations are often noted to be striped. Their tails tend to be relatively long and slender. These scorpions are nocturnal, so it is rare to see them during the day.

When checking in dark spaces for these scorpions, use a black light as they glow! To find out why they glow at night and in black lights, check out our article here.

Sting Care

If you are stung by a scorpion, you should immediately wash the area around the sting with soap and water. Once clean, keeping a cold compress on the site will help reduce swelling and pain.

Generally, over-the-counter pain relief medications are a viable treatment, even if it is for a bark scorpion sting.

Symptoms

If stung by a scorpion, a person will first notice severe pain. This is often described as burning or stinging, though it can be described as tingling or numb sensations. Redness and swelling are usually found at the site of the sting.

A bark scorpion is often associated with the abovementioned symptoms and can often be treated at home without medical interventions. If stung by a bark scorpion, it is not an immediate cause for alarm. It is highly recommended to call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) for assistance. If severe symptoms occur, medical assistance should not be delayed.

SEVERE SYMPTOMS – SEEK MEDICAL HELP

If muscle twitching, unusual eye movements, slurred speech, or difficulty swallowing or breathing is noticed, medical assistance may be necessary. Other symptoms that should be monitored include changes in heart rate, high blood pressure, or agitation. These symptoms can come on very quickly, worsen rapidly over a few hours, and often last several hours.

Should any pain not be relieved by home treatments or a body-wide symptom begins to take effect, medical treatment will be required.

Young children are susceptible to toxicity and should be carefully monitored by medical staff when stung by a bark scorpion.

Preventions with Scorpion Control

There are quite a few recommendations for scorpion prevention. Placing a crib’s legs in jars is an excellent idea for those with very young children because scorpions cannot climb glass. They can climb clean plastic. Checking shoes, towels, and bedding are essential to preventing a scorpion bite. Be extra cautious around bodies of water, like lakes or pools, as these are excellent places for scorpions to find prey.

Mosquito Squad of Las Cruces offers the following advice on reducing ideal spots for scorpions to hide on your property:

1. Keep your woodpiles at least 30 feet away from your house.
2. Remove any standing water from your property.
3. Prevent scorpions from burying themselves in mulch and yard debris by keeping them level.
4. Tightly seal gaps around doors and floors. Some scorpions can fit into spaces that a credit card can slide into.
5. To keep insects away from your home, replace external lights with yellow bulbs.
6. Frequently inspect dark areas around your home for scorpion symptoms.
7. Use pest treatment on your property to reduce common insects, including roaches, crickets, and ants. Fewer insects mean fewer scorpion meals.

With Las Cruces scorpion control, Mosquito Squad of Las Cruces can help you defend against scorpions in and around your property. Mosquito Squad will perform a Protective Barrier Treatment in your yard, focusing on scorpion nesting spots before spraying a barrier around your home to keep scorpions out.

Now that you know how to treat an Arizona Bark Scorpion sting, it is time to take action to reduce the risks of scorpions invading your yard. Call Mosquito Squad of Las Cruces for all of your scorpion control needs. We look forward to working with you.