Extreme Heat Pushes Scorpions Out of Hiding

Record heat in the Valley of the Sun is pushing scorpions out of their favorite hiding places in search of food and moisture. Scorpions are cold-blooded; so a scorpion's body temperature is the same temperature as the environment it lives in. The outside temperature is the single most important environmental factor of a scorpion's behavior, distribution, reproduction and development. Another important factor is the amount of moisture found in a scorpion's environment; moisture influences a scorpion's metabolism and food supply. Just like a scorpion, insects also need moisture to survive. As the summer heat dries up the moisture in the insect's favorite hiding places, the insects begin their search for water. Scorpions, too, begin to search for moisture and because they are hunters, they also begin to search for insects; which have began to migrate to environments with more moisture. A favorite hiding place for bugs and scorpions is in the moisture found in the beautiful grass and shrubs surrounding your home. Even though the desert is parched from the summer's heat, your landscaping is a haven of shelter, heat and moisture; three of the most important factors for an insect's survival. If you have encountered scorpions before, you have likely heard that a scorpion can fit through a gap the size of a credit card. Scorpions are constantly on the hunt for insects and often find their way into a home in its continued search for food and moisture. Its no wonder that scorpions are running into humans at an alarming rate and according to the Banner Poison Control Center, scorpion stings are on the rise. In fact, in the past 24 hours or more, the Banner Poison Control Center received over 70 reports of scorpion stings.

"A recent study by the Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center showed that 33 percent of scorpion sting victims were stung in the bedroom with 24 percent being stung in the living room and only 6 percent in the bathroom. The study also showed most people, 60 percent, were stung on the hand or bare foot." read more...

If you are stung by a scorpion, contact Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222.

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