How To Get Rid Of Scorpions In South Africa
What is a Scorpion?
Scorpions are members of the class Arachnida and are closely related to spiders, mites, and ticks. They are commonly thought of as desert dwellers, but they also live in Brazilian forests, British Columbia, North Carolina, and even the Himalayas. These hardy, adaptable arthropods have been around for hundreds of millions of years, and they are nothing if not survivors.
How To Get Rid Of Scorpions In South Africa
- Seal entry points. Some Arizona scorpions, such as bark scorpions, can fit through openings as narrow as a credit card, so you need to closely inspect your home’s windows and doors and around the foundation for small entry points. Use caulk, weatherstripping, or other fillers to seal the spaces from scorpions, and keep screens on doors and windows in good repair.
- Reduce water sources. Scorpions are attracted to moisture. Even a damp towel on the bathroom floor can provide the perfect spot for a scorpion to hide. Reduce humidity in bathrooms with exhaust fans, try to keep spills cleaned up, and check pipes and spigots for leaks and drips. While you can’t eliminate some outdoor sources of water, such as swimming pools, be sure to inspect the area around pools and fountains regularly.
- Keep other pests under control. Scorpions are carnivorous, feeding on other types of unwanted pests in your home such as spiders, beetles, flies, ants, roaches, and small rodents. Keep your kitchen counters and cabinets free of the crumbs that attract insects and rodents and that provide food for scorpions. Taking steps to reduce the populations of all pests helps control scorpions.
- Reduce shelter spots. Scorpions are nocturnal and can be dehydrated by exposure to extreme sun and heat, so they spend their daytime hours hiding in dark places. Check closets and try to keep shoes and other clutter off of closet floors. If you store items in boxes around your house, also keep those off the floor and tightly sealed. If you don’t need the storage space, keep the floors under beds free of any items. Frequently check cabinets in your kitchen and baths, and the interiors of furniture that provides storage in drawers or behind doors.
- Keep your yard tidy. Outdoors, try to eliminate piles of debris and wood (keep firewood at least 30 feet away from your home), and dense vegetation, which are favorite hiding places of scorpions. Mulch materials should be pulled back at least six inches away from your home’s foundation. Also look for and trim tree branches and shrubs that are in contact with your home’s exterior—these can be used as bridges to your walls.
- Turn off outdoor lights. Insects, such as crickets, that may be attracted to lights around your home at night provide food for scorpions.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
What keeps scorpions away in South Africa?
Lavender, cinnamon, peppermint and cedar are all essential oils said to deter scorpions. These can be diluted with a carrier oil (or smaller amounts of water) and sprayed along scorpion problem areas and entry points—such as baseboards, windowsills, doorways, and around the perimeter of your home.
What kills scorpions fast?
Natural pesticides, such as diatomaceous earth, are an all-natural means of killing pests. Diatomaceous earth powder dehydrates and kills scorpions and other insects by infiltrating their exoskeleton or through ingestion, a process that can take several days. Diatomaceous earth is safe for humans and pets.
What spray will kill scorpions?
Chemical pesticides containing cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, permethrin and tralomethrin are a few of the commercially available products that can kill scorpions. The University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program suggests applying the desired insecticide to the exterior walls of the house foundation.
What is the best chemical to kill scorpions?
What is this? The Cy-Kick Scorpions Pest Control Insecticide is considered by many to be the best poison for scorpions in terms of sheer power and effectiveness. Its active ingredient is Cyfluthrin 6.0% which makes it highly toxic in its liquid form.
What attracts scorpions to your house?
Standing water or a leaking hose next to the house can be inviting to scorpions. Inside your house, bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms are common water sources. Leaking pipes are the usual culprits but even damp spaces, like basements, are enticing.
Can scorpions climb walls South Africa?
Scorpions can get inside building and homes through windows, doors vents and other openings in walls.
How do you chase scorpions away from your house?
Cinnamon oil is a natural scorpion repellant. Sprinkle it in dark areas, windowsills, and around your baseboards to keep scorpions away.
Does killing a scorpion attract more?
The same traps that can be used to get rid of mice or roaches work for scorpions, too. Set them up in dark corners and near sources of water. If you catch a scorpion, throw the trap away and set out another one in the same area, since it’s likely a spot that more scorpions will be attracted to.
These tiny pincers allow them to grip onto rough surfaces. Remember, in nature, scorpions prefer to climb around in rocks and on trees. However, they can also climb the walls of your home if there is sufficient rough surface for them to grip. Scorpions are not capable of climbing glass or even smooth metal.
Have a pest control company regularly spray your home’s foundation to kill the scorpion’s food source, which is small insects. Use a UV black light at night to check for scorpions hiding in the yard or house. Trap them with a glass jar that they can’t climb. Spray scorpion insecticide directly on a scorpion.
How do you keep scorpions out of your bed?
Using strong fishing line or wire, hang your smooth surface from all four corners on the ceiling above your bed. The smooth surface should hang exactly over your bed but a few inches wider and longer than the bed on all sides. This will keep scorpions that are climbing on the ceiling from dropping into your bed.
Why am I finding baby scorpions in my house?
Scorpions can find both shelter and water in damp and dark areas of the home. Laundry rooms have both of these qualities, so be on alert for any scorpions when sorting through clothing and especially damp or wet towels.
Where do scorpions hide in your house?
Scorpions can enter your home through small openings on loose-fitting doors and windows, roofing and pipelines. Once inside, they look for areas that provide protective coverage, such as attics, furniture, cabinets, crawl spaces and potted plants.
What season do scorpions come out?
2. Traditional scorpion season is May until June, but they’re active all year long. Summer is often known as scorpion season – but a number of factors can aggravate scorpions and make them more active.