It stings, it glows, it dances. But, do you want this creepy crawler in your Georgia home?
They are arachnids with stingers and they can glow in UV light.
If you haven’t guessed it, we’re talking about all things scorpions.
Like most other creepy crawlers in Georgia, scorpions are most active in the warmest months of the year, from spring until late summer.
Here’s what else to know about the stinging pest, how to keep them away and what to do if you’re stung by one in Georgia.
What are they?
Scorpions are categorized as arachnids, along with spiders, ticks and mites because they have eight legs, while insects have six legs.
Scorpions are typically black, brown or gray in color and can be around 2.5 to 3 inches in size. They also have a stinger that curls up above its back that distributes venom to its target when used.
There are three types of scorpions found in Georgia: the southern unstriped scorpion, striped bark scorpion and the Florida bark scorpion.
According to the AZ Animal blog:
The southern unstriped scorpion is also known as the southern devil scorpion and is typically found in mountainous areas.
The striped bark scorpion is one of the most common scorpion species in the U.S. and it can be found in forest or grassland areas.
The Florida bark scorpion has a reddish, orange color and is found around coastal areas. This scorpion has the most painful sting of the three found in the Peach State.
Why are they in my house and how can I keep them away?
Just like any other pest you might find in your home, scorpions are simply looking for shelter and food. Also similar to other critters, they find their way indoors from doorways, windows, cracks, holes, drains and any other crevice they can fit through.
If you find one or two in your Georgia home, there’s no need to worry, especially if you find them scurrying around during the warmer months.
Here are some tips from Bug House Pest Control to keep the scorpions away from your home
Install door sweeps to close any extra space
Clear debris like firewood or leaves and keep yard tidy
Get rid of other pests that could be scorpion food
However, if you find them in your home pretty frequently, you may want to consider calling a local pest control company.
What to do if one stings you
Scorpions found in Georgia aren’t venomous, but they do pack a mean sting. Overall, their sting has been compared to a bee or wasp sting. If you are stung by a scorpion, you may experience pain, redness and swelling, but it’s important to remember that the sting is not fatal.
If your symptoms worsen a few hours after the scorpion sting, you should seek medical attention.
More interesting facts
In total, there are around 2,000 different species of scorpions in the world and while most of them are harmless, 25 of them have venom capable of killing humans.
Sure, they’re probably not your favorite, but they are extremely cool, too. Here are some interesting facts about scorpions:
Scorpions dance before mating. If the female shows interest in the male, she will begin dancing with the male. The dance can last from minutes to hours.
They give birth to live young, not eggs.
They glow in UV light because they have “fluorescent chemicals” in their exoskeletons.
Scorpion venom can contain dozens of different toxins, like “neurotoxins, cardiotoxins, nephrotoxins, and hemolytic toxins, as well as a wide variety of other chemicals like histamine, serotonin, and tryptophan.”
However, some scorpions have venom that have helped diagnose and treat certain cancers.
What other insects or pests would you like to know more about? Let me know by commenting below or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
This story was originally published June 7, 2024 at 7:33 AM with the headline "It stings, it glows, it dances. But, do you want this creepy crawler in your Georgia home?."
