Scorpions

Hope you don't run into one but if you do, its best to know what to expect.

Scorpions are nocturnal.  They often ambush their prey, lying in wait as they sense its approach.  The consume all types of insects, spiders, centipedes and even other scorpions.  They capture their prey and then paralyze them with their venom if necessary.  The now immobilized prey is then subjected to an acid spray that dissolves the tissues, allowing the scorpion to suck up the remains.

As well as being predators, however, scorpions are also the prey.  Many types of creatures, such as centipedes, tarantulas, insectivorous lizards, birds (especially owls), and mannals, including shrews, grasshopper mice , and bats hunt sporpions as food.

Scorpion lifespans range from three to five years, though some species are thought to live 10-15 years.  Some kinds of scorpions show more sophisticated social behaviors, like colonial burrowing, and living in family groups that may share shelter and food.

Scorpions are difficult to control with insecticides alone.  Therefore, the first control strategy is to modify the area surrounding a house.
 - Remove all trash, logs, boards, stones, bricks and other objects from around the home.
 - Keep grass closely mowed near the home.  Prune bushes and overhanging tree branches away from the house.  Tree branches can provide a path to the roof for scorpions.
 - Store garbage containers in a frame that allows them torest above ground level.
 - Never bring firewood inside the house unless it is placed directly on the fire.
 - Install weather-stripping around loose fitting doors and windows.
 - Plug weep holes in brick veneer homes with steel wool, pieces of nylon scouring pad or small squares of screen wire.
 - Caulk around roof eaves, pipes and any other cracks into the home.
 - Keep window screens in good repair.  Make sure they fit tightly in the window frame.