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Arizona bark scorpions are also the most venomous in the country. While death from a scorpion sting is very rare -- only two in Arizona since 1968 -- a bark scorpion sting can result in severe pain and uncomfortable numbness. The stung area may be unusable and very tender for 24 to 72 hours. There are thousands of Arizona bark scorpion stings per year, but fatalities are generally only something to be feared in young children, individuals with compromised immune systems, and pets. Regardless, many Phoenix residents are understandably troubled about potentially encountering a scorpion.

Bark scorpions typically dwell on the underside of things, and thus victims are most frequently stung after picking something up. This fact can make Arizonians uneasy about performing simple tasks around the house or in the yard. Therefore, hiring a Phoenix pest control specialist to make your home safe from scorpions may be a worthwhile investment.

A pest control specialist will take numerous actions to help rid your home of scorpions. One step will be to ensure your home is devoid of places for them to hide. There are many obvious places in a house where scorpions will hide: large cracks, crawl spaces, plumbing openings, etc. These areas can either be filled in (in the case of cracks), or blocked off with wire mesh (in the case of openings that are necessary). Additionally, the yard should be cleared of any debris. Landscaping should be reduced, as trees, shrubs, and rocks all make good hiding places for the Phoenix scorpion.

In the case of a scorpion infestation, these simple household modifications will probably not be enough. It may also be necessary to have a pest control specialist apply pesticides – either organic or chemical -- to control scorpions in Phoenix. Unfortunately, scorpions are good at avoiding pesticides, so long-lasting alternatives may be needed. Repeated applications of pesticides are also usually required. The pesticide application can be targeted to places that represent potential hiding places for scorpions.

Only certified pest control management technicians should use the chemicals needed for the extermination of scorpions, so this is not something to try on your own.

Scorpions prey on crickets, spiders, and other small insects. Using pesticides to eliminate these other insect species may help control scorpions as well, but to me that seems a bit ‘over-kill’. These other insects may be very beneficial for your plants as they eat smaller insects that eat your plants.

If the number of scorpions infesting your yard/home is large enough, even pesticides may not be enough to control them. In this scenario, it may be necessary to conduct "seek and destroy" missions at night. Arizona bark scorpions (like most other scorpions) glow under a black light. Thus, pest management specialists can hunt through your yard and home at night, seeking out and then capturing or killing all the scorpions they can find.

Most scorpions are solitary creatures, but the Arizona bark scorpion is an exception to this rule and can group together in packs of 20-30. A female scorpion can give birth to 25-35 young, and they can live for up to 6 years. Thus, an infestation can occur relatively quickly and can persist for years if not addressed.

As you wait for a pest control specialist to fully resolve a scorpion problem, there are several tips to follow that will minimize further complications that can result from the infestation. One is to avoid walking around your house in the evening in bare feet. Since this is the time Phoenix scorpions are more likely to be out in the open, it's not uncommon for someone to step on one and get stung. Also, keep corners and other undisturbed areas clean. By vacuuming and dusting them regularly, you make all kinds of unwanted pests less likely to hide there.

If you should experience a sting, remember that most stings are not medical emergencies. Unless a child is stung or the victim experiences severe pain, a sting can be treated by cleaning and cooling the wound and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.