Scorpions can be found from the most dry, hot deserts to the rainforests sometimes living well over 100 feet above the forest floor.
Identifying a scorpion is pretty easy. The species range in size from a half an inch to over six inches in length. They all look similar featuring two pinchers at the front, a head/body combination, four legs on each side and a long tail that may be seen flat or curled over the back facing forward when in a defensive position. The end of the tail is ball-shaped with a hook shaped stinger.
Scorpions are arachnids which many don’t realize (I know I didn’t). Their 8 legs and head/body combo have the same body characteristics as spiders.
Since we are in Georgia, I want to share information related to the species native to our area. There are only two species in central and north Georgia and rest easy because their stings are not “deadly.” The two are shown in the picture I have included. On the left is the Striped Bark Scorpion and on the right, is the Devil Scorpion.
The Striped Bark Scorpion is found in the coastal plain and sandy soil habitats nesting in areas of long-leaf pine. They are also seen on many of Georgia’s barrier islands. The three dotted stripes running down their backs are a good way to identify them. These reach one to one and a half inches in length not including the tail.
The Devil Scorpion is very common in many areas of Atlanta. They are found anywhere from Macon northward throughout all North Georgia. Their color is a very uniform dark brown and reach one to one and a half inches in length not including the tail.
The female Devil and Striped Bark scorpions can have 8 to 25 babies per cycle. Newborn scorpions are very tiny and white but have all the other attributes of an adult body… just miniature. They are carried on the mother’s back until their first molt when they start turning a brownish color. If you spot a mother with babies on her back do not mess with her. She is in constant defensive mode! I have included a picture so you know what to look for.
Scorpions found in Georgia homes are usually spotted in sinks or bathtubs where they fall in during the night in search of prey. They can’t get out because of the slippery porcelain or fiberglass. They wander inside homes sometimes as they look for prey, which happens to be many of the other common house pests we don’t enjoy in our homes either. I am sure these scorpions would rather be outside in their natural habitat. They do not look to sting humans or domestic pets. They will only sting if they feel threatened and this includes humans trying to handle them. The sting has been compared to that of a bee sting and subsides to little pain within 30 minutes. Though most people don’t have a bad reaction to these guys always take precaution and seek medical attention if you or the victim feel ill.
If you find a scorpion, I wouldn’t recommend you try to catch or kill it and there are probably more if you see one. Give us a call here at Bug Gurus. We will do a thorough pest treatment solution which will eliminate all pests from your home, including the scorpion.