Do you ever wonder where scorpions go when the weather dips too low during Arizona winters?
While scorpions are familiar sights during the summer, they hide away whenever the temperature cools down. Do scorpions hibernate, or does the cold weather eliminate them each year?
Keep reading to find out more about what to expect this wintertime season!
Do Scorpions Hibernate Outdoors?
Scorpions don’t perish each winter unless exposed to freezing weather. Many of these Arizona pests instead find a warm spot to bed down to escape the frigid temperatures outside.
Like most pests, scorpions tend to flock toward temperature-controlled areas but will settle for other warm spots outside.
You could find hibernating scorpions under rocks in your yard or other foliage-filled spaces like hiking trails or forests. Similarly, scorpions may stick together in brush or wood piles, huddling under the fallen branches for warmth.
Some species can even create and burrow in underground spaces, typically emerging whenever the winter temperatures subside. You can often find these pests bundled deep within mud and grass shavings.
Scorpions may hide within cracks or crevices on your exterior foundation or inside wall voids, fences, or yard decor. These tiny critters can even sneak behind tree bark for an easy over-winter hiding spot!
So, do scorpions hibernate outdoors? Of course, they do! But they typically prefer buildings or structures with better temperature regulation.
Indoor Scorpion Hibernation
Scorpions commonly hibernate inside whenever the winter chill sets in. Because scorpions can quickly scale walls or coarse surfaces, they can swiftly locate a gap wide enough to sneak through.
Many homeowners won’t find scorpions during the winter, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a year-round concern. Whenever the weather grows warmer, scorpions come out of hiding and begin to appear around your home.
Inside, scorpions hide around your baseboards, cabinets, furniture, floors, or even inside your shoes! You may be surprised to find a scorpion the next time you try on your heavy-duty hiking boots.
If you have loose weatherstripping, siding, or vents, scorpions can slip through these cracks to go indoors. Scorpions will also sneak through cracks or gaps in your home’s exterior.
Here are some spaces scorpions may hide in over the winter:
- Potted plants
- Shoes
- Furniture
- Crawlspaces
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Bedrooms or inside beds
Scorpions won’t hibernate for extensive periods but prefer to avoid chilly weather inside your comfortably heated home.
Do Scorpions Hibernate Alone?
Will scorpions brave the winter chill alone, or do they bundle up alongside others?
Arizona bark scorpions are generally isolated and solitary arachnids, but this species prefers to hibernate alongside other bark scorpions whenever it’s cold outdoors.
You won’t find these pests hanging out when the temperatures rise again but don’t be surprised if you stumble upon groups of scorpions snuggled up in your home or yard. Arizona bark scorpion nests are dangerous in your home because of these pests’ potent venom.
While you won’t have to worry about groups of scorpions invading your home during the summer, you could notice signs of scorpion activity whenever the weather heats back up in the spring. Any hidden scorpions will exit their hiding spots to find access to your yard.
Preventing Indoor Hibernation
If you want to protect your home against scorpions this winter, here are a few steps to safeguard your property and keep your family safe.
Start by filling up any noticeable cracks and crevices on your exterior foundation. Always consult a home repair service before any DIY repairs, but you can typically use stucco or plaster to cover up small and unneeded gaps.
If scorpions are crawling under your door or through loose-fitting windows, add doorstops or weather stripping to keep scorpions and more minor pests out of your home. Plus, the added insulation may even lower your electricity bill!
Clean up around your yard too. Brush, leaves, branches, or log piles could entice scorpions to stick around on your property and even come indoors if the temperatures are too low. Either move these objects away from your home or clean them thoroughly.
For proven scorpion protection, we recommend trying out our product, Scorpion Repel! Our slick epoxy barrier physically prevents scorpions from climbing up your exterior walls and into your home.
No more worrying about an unwelcome, overwintering guest! With Scorpion Repel, scorpions won’t have a chance to sneak indoors and cause you trouble this wintertime season.
Contact us today to learn more and schedule a treatment!