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Some animals live far away from human populations; others, on the contrary, inhabit the same spaces as us. In many of these cases, it was we humans who settled where these living beings previously dwelt. So we ended up shifting these species of their natural environments, although in many cases they still remain with us in big cities, for example.
When they are harmless and without any risk to people, major complications are not generated, but when they are poisonous, the situation changes, as fatal accidents can occur. This imminent danger generates a collective fear that can lead us to indiscriminate hunting of these species, which translates into damage for this particular group of animals. In this sense, scorpions are an emblematic example. That's why in this PeritoAnimal article, "how to scare away scorpion?", we explain to you the best ways to scare these animals away. Happy reading.
Are all scorpions dangerous to people?
All around the world, more than 3,000 deaths are reported annually from scorpion stings. In Brazil, according to the Ministry of Health, in 2019 alone, more than 154,000 accidents with scorpion stings were recorded in Brazil.
But it's important to know that while these accidents can be fatal to people, there is only a small group of scorpions that are actually poisonous to humans.
Of the nearly two thousand species of these animals identified so far across the planet, only about 30 are lethal to us. And almost all of these poisonous species are concentrated in one family, called Buthidae. Therefore, we can say that not all scorpions are dangerous for humans, the vast majority have a venom that only affects insects, small rodents or lizards, which scorpions often feed on.
How do scorpions enter homes?
Scorpions are animals that remain sheltered most of the time and come out of hiding when they need to feed, reproduce or feel threatened. When exhibiting this type of behavior, they prefer to stay hidden under rocks, logs, inside burrows or even some are able to bury themselves.
So some of the ways they can get into homes is through the openings between doors, windows or cracks or, still, in woods, in plant land or on any material you can put inside the house.
It is also extremely important to know how scorpions enter our homes and, of course, to know how to scare away scorpions, for the good of our pets.
how to scare away scorpion
It is very important to keep in mind that for no reason should you try to catch a scorpion with your hands, because although not all of them are poisonous to humans, this can only be verified by a professional who knows how to correctly identify them.
If you are in an area where scorpions live, it is important to get some information about these animals, so a first action might be to find out about the types of scorpions that inhabit the area, so that you know more about their habits, as these aspects are usually reported by researchers who study them. Then you can implement some strategies to scare away scorpions, that includes:
- Cleaning: Keep your home environment free from the accumulation of objects or debris that can serve as hiding places for scorpions.
- wood: if you have a fireplace at home or a backyard where, for some reason, you accumulate pieces of wood, organize this space so that it is not used as a refuge for these animals.
- Doors and windows: Make sure the doors and windows of the house do not have holes or openings through which scorpions can enter.
- protective screens: You can put protective screens on both doors and windows so that even if they are open, there is still a barrier to prevent access to these arachnids.
- cracks and holes: Also check for cracks or holes that can be used as shelter.
- Insects: Scorpions feed primarily on insects and small invertebrates, so by keeping your home free of these animals, you're limiting their food source. In this other article we explain how to ward off flies, one of the most common insects in homes.
- Lavender: Using lavender to ward off scorpions can be very effective, as this plant is a natural scorpion repellent. Therefore, you can plant lavender around the perimeter of the site and even at specific indoor spots. It can also be helpful to dilute about 15 drops of lavender essential oil with a glass of water and, using a spray bottle, spray it around the doors and windows of your home.
- Cedar: Cedar is also a potent natural scorpion repellent. If possible, sprinkle pieces of the trunk of this tree around the doors and use it as a substrate for any plants you have. You can also use cedar oil by diluting 15 drops in a glass of water and spraying it on doors and windows.
Keeping tabs on finding scorpions at home is important, especially in areas where there are species that can poison people. However, we must keep in mind that all animals have the right to life, therefore the application of poisons for scorpions is not the best option, according to our opinion in the Animal Expert, give preference to ways to scare them that are not harmful to your life.
It is also necessary to remember that the excess of chemical products is currently a serious environmental problem, so we must minimize their application. On the other hand, when we live with these animals, it is necessary to establish constant cleaning routines and review where they could hide.
Now that you know how to scare the scorpion, you might be interested in this other article with the characteristics of the scorpion. In it you will get to know better about their behavior, food and more.
If you want to read more articles similar to How to scare away scorpions?, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.