Attibution:Pedro Sánchez, [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC-BY-2.5], via Wikimedia Commons
Size:
Varies between species, but most measure about 2 inches fully grown.
Color:
Can vary widely between yellow, blue, reddish brown, and black.
Behavior:
Scorpions are predators that feed primarily on insects. They crawl into buildings through exterior cracks in search of food or suitable shelter. Once inside, they may wander into clothing, shoes, or a bed where someone might contact them resulting in a scorpion sting. Stepping barefoot on a scorpion is another common way to be stung.
Scorpions are found throughout the southern United States from coast to coast. Only one species of scorpion found in the United States could be considered dangerous, and it is found in the extreme southwest in Arizona and southern California. Still, only small children and the elderly are at risk of a fatal sting from this species. Any scorpion sting, however, can be serious to anyone that is allergic to insect stings. A physician should attend to all stings.
To reduce scorpions around a home, eliminate as many piles of items or debris on the ground and keep dense vegetation to a minimum. All scorpions glow green under black light, so a portable black light can be used outside at night to find where scorpions are harboring. When a home is chronically invaded by these arthropods, it is best to seek the services of a professional such as Terminix to achieve long-term relief.
