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Scorpions in South Florida
The Florida bark scorpion: where it hides, why it shows up indoors, and how to tell it from look-alikes.
$50 OFF your first service + FREE inspectionNew customers · No code needed · No expirationScorpions are less common than roaches or ants, but finding one in a shoe, a towel or the laundry gets everyone's attention. The Florida bark scorpion is one of the scorpions South Florida homeowners run into most. It hides outdoors by day and hunts insects at night, and it wanders into garages, lanais and laundry rooms through gaps under doors. If you're seeing them inside, it's time for an inspection. Call or text anytime: 833-845-9284.
Where bark scorpions hide around the house
Bark scorpions spend the day in tight, dark cover: loose bark, logs, debris, palm boots, pavers, stone borders, mulch, stacked tiles, firewood and stored hurricane shutters. At night they come out to hunt the insects that live in the same spots. That's why they turn up indoors in the rooms closest to the outside, like the garage, lanai, laundry room, and the bathrooms and closets near exterior doors. They get in through gaps under doors and garage doors, and once inside they hide in shoes, towels and piles of laundry. Sightings often rise after a yard renovation, land clearing next door or storm cleanup, when their cover gets moved around. Shake out shoes and towels that have been sitting in the garage, wear gloves when you move pavers, firewood or shutters, and keep woodpiles and debris away from the walls. Two kinds of look-alikes often get mistaken for them: the smaller Hentz striped scorpion, a true scorpion that can also sting, and whip scorpions or pseudoscorpions, which have no stinger at all.
Scorpions are nocturnal and feed on insects and other small arthropods, and they can go a long time without eating, so a dry, cluttered garage can keep one around even when you rarely see bugs. Females give birth to live young, which ride on her back until their first molt. A bark scorpion sting is painful. Serious reactions are uncommon but possible, especially in sensitive people, so call your doctor if symptoms are strong. Finding more than one, or finding them in bedrooms and bathrooms, is a good reason to book the inspection.
Which one is it?
| Scorpion | Size | Color | Where it's found | Key sign |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida bark scorpion | Adults can reach several inches long | Reddish-brown to dark brown or nearly black, lighter legs | Bark, logs, mulch, pavers, palm boots, garages | Slender scorpion in shoes, towels or laundry |
| Hentz striped scorpion (look-alike) | Smaller than the bark scorpion | Tan with stripes | Often mistaken for the bark scorpion | Stripes on a smaller, tan body |
| Whip scorpions and pseudoscorpions (look-alikes) | Varies | Varies | Often mistaken for scorpions | No stinger |
What we do and when to call
We treat harborage areas, the perimeter and entry points, and we reduce the insects scorpions feed on. Quarterly service helps keep them away. During the inspection we'll also point out the debris, woodpiles and door gaps that are giving them cover. See our pest control services and plans and pricing.
También conocidos como: escorpiones, alacranes
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$50 OFF your first service
+ FREE inspection
Then stay protected with our $125 quarterly pest control plan, about $42/month.
New customers only. No code needed and no expiration. Mention this offer when you call or text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Florida bark scorpions dangerous?
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How do I keep scorpions out of the garage?
$50 off your first pest service
Get $50 OFF your first pest service and a FREE inspection & estimate. Ongoing protection is $125 quarterly (about $42/month), with no long-term contracts and no cancellation fees.
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