StoSoutdoors

           

  Scorpions are nocturnal animals and, therefore, typically only emerge at night. They often hide in dark cracks and vegetation. Ideally, accommodation should have a ledge that is at least 20cm high to prevent entry of scorpions.
To minimize the occurrence of scorpion stings, one should: remove loose boards, woodpiles, rocks, and debris from areas immediately surrounding homes; wear leather gloves and exercise caution when moving objects in yards or at campsites. When camping, invert and shake out sleeping bags, clothes, and other items that have been in contact with the ground, and shake out shoes before putting them on in the morning. Always wear shoes when walking at night. All members of the family should be able to recognize scorpions, and everyone should be aware of the danger they pose; special care should be taken to caution children, and older persons who have recently moved to Arizona from more northern latitudes. An infant's crib can be protected by placing the legs of the crib in clean wide mouth jars. Scorpions cannot climb clean glass.
  In areas with scorpions, it is also necessary to watch out for dark hiding places indoors: in cupboards, under the duvet and bed, or in shoes (look under the duvet/bed and shake your shoes thoroughly before putting them on).
Scorpions are not aggressive toward non prey, and only sting when handled or otherwise molested. When defending themselves, they usually hold the victim with their pincers and sting repeatedly by thrusting the tail over the body and the stinger into the victim's flesh. Obviously a person who has been clasped by a scorpion should quickly remove it to avoid multiple stings.
only about 25 of the 1500 species of scorpions found worldwide have venom deadly to humans, and only one of those, the bark scorpion, makes its home in the United States. This species, Centruruoides exilicauda, is most common in southern Arizona but it also occurs in Grand Canyon, southern Nevada and southern California. At least 30 scorpion species are desert dwellers, including the giant desert (Hadrurus spadix), the largest at five-plus inches, and the boreal (Paruroctonus boreus), the most common and widespread. Baja California has the greatest variety with over 50 species.
  In some countries, it is a popular sport to 'play' with scorpions - if you find it interesting to watch this torment, you should keep well away from the animal.
Scorpions sting with a poisoned hook on their tail, which is typically raised prior to an attack.
Venom from only one of the 30 species of Arizona scorpions is considered to be life-threatening. This is the bark scorpion, Centruroides sculpturatus (actually a synonym of C. exilicauda). This species can be distinguished from all others in Arizona by the following set of characteristics:
1. The chelae or pincers (on the pedipalps) of C. sculpturatus are very slender, so that they are about six times as long as the broadest part.
2. At the base of the stinger is a little tubercle or tooth. This can be seen with a hand lens or with the naked eye if the profile of the vesicle is silhouetted against a light background.
Be careful when camping or during other outdoor activities to make sure that a scorpion has not made a home in your clothes, shoes or sleeping bags.
Scorpions glow brightly under UV light (black light).
Scorpions are basically immune to most pesticides. If you suspect your house has scorpions, call a professional exterminator.
Very few people die from scorpion stings, even the sting of the Arizona bark scorpion. Scorpion stings are most dangerous to the very young and the very old. Pets are also at risk.