Tim Orscheln
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By Tim Orscheln | HomeLyfe
Scorpions began appearing earlier than usual this year, due to unseasonably warm March temperatures, which means you should take extra precautions to keep them out of your home. If that’s not unsettling enough, April only marked the beginning of their peak activity season.
Many homeowners don’t realize scorpions can infiltrate homes in various ways, including gaps in windows or doors or even through the roof. Cracks and poorly sealed vents create easy entry points, and once they're inside, they can be tough to remove.
The most effective way to keep the critters out is through regular home maintenance. Here are four things every homeowner should do during scorpion season:
Seal cracks and openings
Scorpions can be as tiny as 12 millimeters — less than half an inch — long, according to Britannica. That means even the smallest crack or gap in your home can invite the critters to enter. Although rare, scorpions can be as thick as a credit card.
To keep scorpions out, walk the perimeter of your home and seal any visible cracks in the foundation, window frames and baseboards. Sealing can include anything like using caulk, weather stripping or expanding foam.
Don’t forget neglected areas like garage doors, dryer vents and openings around plumbing and electrical fixtures. Any crack or opening seen, no matter how small, should be sealed to eliminate potential entry points for scorpions.
Maintain clean gutters
Scorpions are drawn to environments with food and moisture, and clogged gutters can provide both. When leaves, dirt and debris accumulate in your gutters, they can also trap moisture and attract insects, a food source for scorpions. It also gives scorpions a dark and undisturbed place to hide in.
Routinely cleaning out your gutters, especially during and after Arizona’s glorious monsoon seasons, will help keep scorpions out. You should already be cleaning your gutters twice a year, but our dry climate can also leave sand, dust and other debris that should regularly be checked on and cleaned out.
Check attic and ventilation spots
Attics are another cool and dark spot scorpions can find and create their habitats, especially during the brutal Arizona summer heat. Vents, many of which lack tight-fitting screens, are a direct path into your home. Once inside, scorpions can stay hidden in insulation or behind storage boxes, eventually migrating to other living spaces. Homeowners should regularly check their attics and vents to prevent scorpions from infiltrating by installing proper vent covers, sealing gaps around HVAC piping and decluttering the attic space, which can make a huge difference in ensuring your home is safe and pest-free.
Schedule seasonal roof inspections
Surprisingly, scorpions can often enter homes through the roof, especially if shingles are loose or tiles are cracked. They’re skilled climbers who can scale walls, gutters and nearby trees, especially overhanging branches over the roof.
Seasonal inspections by a roofing professional can identify the needed repairs that will not only protect your home from future weather damage but also from the critters entering your house. Inspectors can reveal entry points, including vents, chimneys and utility lines. General roof maintenance can also help keep scorpions out, such as fixing leaks or damaged roof materials. This can contribute to moisture buildup, the perfect place for scorpions to take shelter.
By addressing these four steps, homeowners will be better prepared for scorpion season and can keep any critters out. Since there’s already an increased number of scorpion sightings this year, I suggest taking action now to ensure your home is protected and in the best condition.
Editor’s note: Tim Orscheln is founder and CEO of Phoenix-based equity maintenance and roofing service HomeLyfe. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
