Deer, J. A.

Gunter, A. C.

English

Texas A&M University

•"
L ... 159
By
A. C. Gunter and J. A. Deer, Extension Entomologists
Texas A. and M. College System
Life listory and Habit
Scorpions have a long, deginented
t·, il-lik abdomen ending in a bulbous sac
and stinging organ. A front pair of
appendages, known a~ 'pedipal Y)S,' are
enlarged nd equipped at the ternlinal
end with pincers much like those of the
cr b or crayfish. They have four pairs
of Ie; .
epr ssed or flattened bodies 811-
atJle scorpions to enter homes from out-
doors through any crevices as small as
one-sixteenth to one-eigl1th inch wide.
£ntranC)8 are rnade throut;11 craCKS, uIl'ler
doors, around windows, eaves, and es-'
vecially through holes in tloors/anJ
walls tor water pipes or utileI' tixtures.
III t:i . 'lome, scorl)ions are otten seen in
the bathroom as they seem to oe attracted'
uy the moisture and cool porcelain fix-
ur€~.,. hrick ~Il'l stone homes are usually
nfore attractive to scorpions than those
of wood construction.
Li ttle is know'n concerl1illg tne bio-
lOsJ of ~:cur )i()I!;~. r{l1(:. cummon striped
...:pecies gives birth to 30 to 40 young in
June and July.. The young attach ther.1-
sel ves to the uack o·f the mother to pre-
vent being devoured by her. They leave
the female's back in 10 to 14 days and
thereafter relllain out of reach at the
mother to prevent being eaten.
Scorpions feed primarily upon insects
and spiders which they grasp with their
pinCer. (nli stinf'J. In the latter opera-
tion, the sting is thrust forward over
the scorpion's back and plunged into the
victim to par" lyze it. Tl1e SrL:lE: procedure
is used to sting man.
None of the species of scorpions
occurring in Texas is considered·to be
dangerously poisonous. Severe pain and,
slig'lt systernic disorders Inay occur when
the sting is inflicted. Treating with
weak ammonia usually gives prorlpt relief.
Control
The first step toward getting rid of
scorpions is to clean up the premises.
Scorpions thrive in accumulations of old
lumber, boxes, rags, brush, bricks, etc.
The older these accumulations, the better
for the scorpions.
A five per cent DDT household spray
applied to the surface of the area where
scorpions inhabit is effective in both
killing and also driving them out of the
cracks and crevices. Apply around base-
board;s, quarter rounds and .especially
where small openings are present around
water pipes and other fittings. The area I
under the building should also be dusted
wi th ten per cent DDT dust to prevent them
from entering homes. A two per cent
chlordane spray or fi ve per cent chlordane
dust may also be used in the same manner
as DDT if desired. If scorpions are fre-
quently seen in any outbuildings, the
same trea ment is recommended. The tre'" t-
ment will remain effective over" a eriod
of six to eight weeks and if scorpions
persist, should be repeated.
Remember that it takes three tu ~our
years for these scorpions to mature.
Therefore, if members of a household will
every evening during the spring, summer,
and fall months look for scorpions and
kill them as they appear, the dwelling can
finally be rid of these pests with the
aid of a poisoning program. ~
Issued by
The Agricultural Extension Service
The Texas A. & M. College System and
The United States Department of Agriculture
G. G. Gibson, Director, ColleRe Station. Texas
Cooperative Extension ~ork in Agriculture and Home Economics, The Texas A. and M. College System "and the
United States Department of Agriculture Cooperating. Distributed in furtherance"of the Acts of Congress
Of May 8 and June 30, 1914.
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Scorpions.

https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/bitstream/1969.1/160956/2/159/Leaf0159.pdf

Scorpions.

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