Bark Scorpions: What You Need to Know (and How to Get Them O
Welcome to Pest Control Bros Pest Control
Bark scorpions are among the most common — and concerning — scorpions found in the Southwest. If you live in Arizona or surrounding desert regions like Maricopa, AZ, chances are you’ve either encountered one or heard stories about them. Here’s a clear breakdown of where bark scorpions originate, why they invade homes, how dangerous they really are, and how our expert pest control services at Pest Control Bros get rid of them for good.
What Is a Bark Scorpion?
The bark scorpion is a small, slender scorpion recognized for its light tan color and powerful sting. Unlike many scorpion species, bark scorpions are excellent climbers, allowing them to scale walls, hide in ceilings, and access elevated areas inside homes.
They are nocturnal, meaning they’re most active at night, which is why many homeowners encounter them after dark.
Natural Habitat: Where Bark Scorpions Come From
Bark scorpions are native to desert and semi-desert environments. In the wild, they live in tree bark and palm bark, rock piles and crevices, woodpiles, and under debris and ground cover. Urban development has pushed them closer to people, and homes now provide ideal shelter — cool, dark, and protected.
Why Bark Scorpions Invade Homes
Homes offer exactly what bark scorpions seek: shelter from cracks, gaps, and wall voids; moisture found in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens; and food such as insects already present in your home. They commonly enter through door thresholds, weep holes, cracks in foundations, and open vents or plumbing entry points. Once inside, they hide in shoes, towels, bedding, closets, garages, and even ceiling light fixtures.
How Dangerous Are Bark Scorpions?
Bark scorpions are considered the most venomous scorpion in North America. For most healthy adults, a sting can cause intense pain or burning, tingling or numbness, and temporary muscle twitching. However, children, elderly individuals, and pets are at much higher risk. Severe reactions may include difficulty breathing, uncontrolled muscle movements, and excessive drooling or vomiting. Any suspected sting — especially involving children or pets — should be taken seriously and medically evaluated.
What Do Bark Scorpions Eat?
Bark scorpions are predators that feed on crickets, cockroaches, spiders, ants, and other small insects. If your home has an insect problem, it can easily turn into a scorpion problem. Reducing their food source is a critical part of long-term pest management solutions.
Where You’re Most Likely to Find Bark Scorpions
Inside the home, look for them in shoes, closets, bedsheets, pillows, bathrooms, sinks, garages, and storage boxes. Outside, they can be found in block walls, woodpiles, palm trees, bark-covered trees, and landscaping rock or debris. Using a UV (black) light at night is one of the easiest ways to spot bark scorpions, as they glow bright under UV light.
How Pest Control Bros Gets Rid of Bark Scorpions
At Pest Control Bros, we don’t rely on one-size-fits-all treatments. Bark scorpions require a strategic, layered approach. Our scorpion control process includes a detailed inspection to identify entry points, nesting areas, and food sources around your home. We apply targeted exterior treatments with professional-grade products to block walls, foundations, and landscaping where scorpions live and travel. We also perform interior crack and crevice treatments with focused applications in key hiding areas, rather than broad, unnecessary spraying. Since scorpions follow their food, we first eliminate the insects that attract them. Additionally, we provide exclusion recommendations to help you seal gaps, reduce clutter, and modify landscaping, making your home less inviting to these pests. Ongoing protection plans are essential, as scorpion pressure doesn’t disappear overnight. Regular service keeps them from returning.
Protect Your Home and Family
Bark scorpions are not pests you want to ignore. With their climbing ability and potent sting, DIY treatments often fall short. Pest Control Bros provides reliable, professional scorpion control designed specifically for desert environments — keeping your home safer, more comfortable, and scorpion-free. If you’re seeing scorpions or want to prevent them before they become a problem, now’s the time to request pest control quotes and take action.
