Scorpions are notoriously difficult to kill. These poisonous arachnids are used to living in harsh conditions, so they don't blink with most pesticides. The surest way to get rid of a scorpion is to pierce its exoskeleton with a sharp object or employ a natural predator to do the work for you.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Pierce the Exoskeleton with a Tool
Step 1. Cover your body with protective clothing
Wear jeans or other pants made of sturdy fabric, heavy leather shoes, and thick gloves, in case the scorpion somehow gets close enough to your body to hit you.
Step 2. Find a sharp object
In places where scorpions are common in bedrooms and backyards (such as in Arizona), long, large pliers can often be found in hardware stores, allowing you to pierce the exoskeleton and then grab the scorpion to get rid of it. If this tool isn't available in your area, you can use a long-bladed pair of scissors, a long knife, or other long, pointed object.
Step 3. Quickly hit the scorpion's body with the object you are using
Scorpions are generally not very fast, but still act quickly to make sure you are able to kill him before he escapes. If necessary, pierce the scorpion again until you are sure it is dead.
You can also use a blunt object, such as a heavy book, shoe, or club, to crush the scorpion rather than pierce it. Some scorpions, however, have the ability to flatten out to be as tall as a coin, so simply hitting the scorpion with a hard surface may not be enough to kill it. You will need to press the shoe, rock, or other hard object to make sure the scorpion gets crushed and killed. When the scorpion has stopped moving or when its body is in several pieces, it is very likely that it is dead
Step 4. Look for scorpions at night
If scorpions are becoming a problem in your home, you can get rid of them by methodically killing them at night, when they are most active. Grab a black light bulb at a hardware store and mount it in a flashlight, then illuminate walls, corners, baseboards, and other areas where scorpions tend to hang out with this light source. Their exoskeletons will glow in the black light.
Don't forget to check the exterior walls of your property as well. Scorpions can also be found in outdoor rock piles and other types of shelter
Step 5. Consider using a professional pest control service
If the thought of interacting with scorpions makes you want to run away and hide, consider getting a professional to come to your rescue - they're pretty easy to find in scorpion-infested areas.
Some pest control firms may suggest using a pesticide application instead of killing scorpions by hand. It might be worth a try, but many people have found pesticides to be ineffective in getting rid of these insects
Part 2 of 3: Alternative Methods
Step 1. Set up a chicken coop
Chickens can eat some of the insects that scorpions feed on, making the area less inviting for these insects.
Keep in mind that scorpions act at night while chickens do not, so the latter will not have many opportunities to hunt scorpions
Step 2. Try diatomaceous earth
This natural substance is made up of ground fossils; is a very fine white powder that can be sprayed on doors, cracks and crevices both inside and outside the home. It is completely safe for humans and pets, but its tiny fragments effectively pierce scorpions' exoskeletons when they come into contact with them. Diatomaceous earth is also effective against spiders, cockroaches and other insects.
Step 3. Prepare sticky traps
The same traps that can be used to get rid of mice or cockroaches also work against scorpions. Place them in dark corners and near water sources. If you catch a scorpion, throw the trap away and place another one in the same area, as this is likely to be a particularly interesting spot for scorpions.
Part 3 of 3: Keep the Scorpios Away from their Home
Step 1. Remove sources of cover
Scorpions like to live in dark places that provide shelter. Check both inside and outside your home for items that could serve as a convenient hiding place for scorpions.
- Make sure the boxes you keep around the house are sealed and raised off the ground on the shelves.
- Get rid of the clutter. Keep clothes and shoes organized and off the floor if possible.
- Remove piles of wood and stones from your garden.
Step 2. Get rid of other parasites
Scorpions feed on insects, so if you have other pest problems in your home, it will be difficult to control their population. Keeping your home clean, sprinkling baseboards with boric acid or diatomaceous earth, and using an insecticide are all ways to get rid of pests.
Step 3. Insulate your home
Scorpions are able to flatten their bodies so that they can pass through very small holes and cracks. Examine the foundation of your home for spots that could become entry points and fill them with putty. Check doors, window frames, vents, chimneys and other areas for places where scorpions can enter and make sure they are properly sealed.
Step 4. Keep the house dry
Scorpions are attracted to moisture. Make sure none of your pipes are leaking and install a fan in the bathroom so it dries quickly after use. Never leave wet towels on the floor.
Advice
- Use the vacuum cleaner. Vacuum it with the tube; turning inside the container will kill it almost immediately. This method is fast, easy and safe.
- If you often kill scorpions in and around your home, focus on killing bugs in your home. Scorpions eat insects, so they are generally found where there is an influx of insects. By eliminating their food source you will eliminate their presence in and out of your home.
- Simple tip: pour a little vinegar on the scorpion!
- Scorpions tend to play dead. Never take one with your bare hands, even if you are sure you killed it.
- Use a black light (or Wood's lamp) to find scorpions outside at night, being nocturnal animals that blend into their surroundings. You may even find their young in the grass, using this light. When they hit us, they will glow bright green.
- Scorpions glow in the dark. Use a black light at night or turn off the lights in the house to find them.
- Use a portable propane torch to kill scorpions in the crevices of a stone wall. With the right power you will also kill all the scorpions inside the wall.
- Act fast when trying to kill a scorpion. These insects can move fast, making it difficult to find them if they can hide under or behind something.
- Sprinkle diatomaceous earth all around the house. It won't prevent them from entering, but this chemical compound quickly dehydrates the scorpion.
Warnings
- Never take a scorpion with your bare hands. It might sting you.
- Do not step barefoot on a scorpion in an attempt to crush it. It would sting you.
- Avoid using cats to hunt scorpions. Although their fur can help protect them from stings, they can still be affected and will need treatment for pain.
- If you have a severe allergy to scorpion venom, consider bringing an epinephrine auto-injector with you. Wearing a medical identification bracelet can make others aware of your allergy if you fall unconscious or are unable to speak after being stung.
- If you get stung, try to stay relaxed and contact a doctor immediately. Do not take any sedatives. If you can safely do this, catch the scorpion so doctors can identify it and determine the correct treatment.
