How to scorpion-proof your home in Arizona

To scorpion-proof your home, seal the gaps scorpions use to get in, fit tight seals on every outside door, clear the hiding spots in your yard, and check at night with a blacklight. Arizona's bark scorpions can squeeze through very thin gaps, about the thickness of a credit card, and they climb stucco and block walls. You will not get to zero, but you can cut down the number that make it inside.

Time: a weekend for the full list. Skill: easy to moderate.

What do you need?

• Caulk (exterior-grade) and a caulk gun
• Door sweeps and weatherstripping
• Fine metal mesh or steel wool for larger gaps
• A UV flashlight (blacklight)
• Gloves and long-handled tongs

How do you scorpion-proof a house?

1. Do a light test at every outside door. At night, turn the lights on inside and look at the door from outside. Any light showing around the edges or under the door is a gap. Do the same in the garage.
2. Install door sweeps and weatherstripping. Replace worn bottom sweeps and add new seals around the frame so no light shows. Check the garage door's bottom seal too.
3. Seal around pipes and wires. Look under sinks and where pipes, cables, and the AC line enter the house. Fill gaps with caulk, or stuff steel wool or mesh into larger ones and seal over it.
4. Caulk cracks. Seal cracks in stucco, where the walls meet the foundation, around windows and in the trim. Use exterior caulk.
5. Check screens and vents. Repair torn window screens and make sure vents and the dryer vent flap close firmly. Do not block vents that are meant to drain or let air in. If you are not sure which, ask a pro.
6. Clear the yard near the house. Scorpions hide in rock piles, wood, bricks, boards and thick ground cover. Move firewood and debris away from walls and keep plants trimmed so they do not touch the house or the roof.
7. Cut down their food. Scorpions eat insects. Fix leaky pipes and sprinklers that create damp spots, and keep standing water to a minimum. Consider bulbs that attract fewer bugs for outdoor lights.
8. Check with a blacklight. After dark, walk the yard and the house walls with a UV flashlight. Scorpions glow a pale blue-green. Look along the base of walls, block walls and fences. Do not shine UV light in anyone's eyes.

How do you stay safe?

• Never pick up a scorpion with bare hands. Use tongs or a jar and lid.
• Shake out shoes, boots, towels and clothes left on the floor or outdoors.
• Wear gloves when moving wood, rocks or yard debris.
• Keep beds away from walls and do not let bedding touch the floor.

If someone is stung, wash the area and apply a cool cloth. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance. Call 911 right away for trouble breathing or swallowing, or unusual muscle movements. Young children and older adults can be at higher risk, so call your doctor.

When to call a pro

DIY sealing helps, but it will not remove scorpions already living in walls, block fences or the attic. Call a pest control company if you keep finding them indoors, find them in your bed, or have small children. They can treat the outside and the entry points. Here are local pest control companies in the directory, with phone numbers:

Ask any company what products they use and how often they recommend visits. You can also ask the helper.

Questions people ask

Why do I have scorpions in my house in Arizona?

Scorpions look for shade, moisture and food, and they can fit through very small gaps. Gaps around doors, pipes and windows, plus a yard with hiding places, let them in.

Do blacklights really find scorpions?

Yes. Scorpions glow under UV light, which makes them far easier to spot at night. It is a good way to see where they gather so you know where to seal and clear.

Will sealing my house get rid of scorpions completely?

Sealing helps a lot, but it will not stop every one. Many homeowners combine sealing, yard cleanup and a regular pest control service.

See every pest control company in Phoenix or browse Phoenix.