Seen a pale, quick little scorpion in your garage or by the baseboards? You’re not alone. In Mesa, the Arizona bark scorpion is a fact of desert life, and it loves the same cool, shaded spots you do. You want your family, pets, and guests to feel comfortable at home, not on high alert. In this guide, you’ll learn how to seal entry points, adjust landscaping, set a simple night‑check routine, and handle a sting safely if one happens. Let’s dive in.
Know your Mesa scorpions
The Arizona bark scorpion is the main species of concern in the East Valley. It is small, slender, and an excellent climber. It can scale stucco, block, and wood, and slip through tiny gaps.
Scorpions are nocturnal. During the day, they hide in cool, tight spaces like wall voids, under rocks, in stacked boxes, or near irrigation lines. At night, they come out to hunt, often around areas with moisture or insects.
Activity picks up in warm months, though scorpions may be active year‑round in the Phoenix metro area, especially after heat waves or rain. The good news: you can detect them easily in the dark because they fluoresce under a UV or blacklight.
Bark scorpion stings are painful. Most adults experience localized pain and tingling, but some people can develop systemic symptoms. Children, older adults, and people with medical conditions are higher risk. In Arizona, hospitals commonly treat scorpion stings and use antivenom when needed after consulting poison control.
Seal the exterior first
Stopping scorpions at the perimeter is your highest‑impact step. Focus on tight, durable sealing before anything else.
Doors and thresholds
- Install or replace door sweeps on exterior and garage doors so the rubber or brush makes firm contact with the threshold.
- Adjust thresholds so you cannot see light leaking through gaps.
- Keep garage doors closed when not in use.
Vents and weep holes
- Cover soffit vents, foundation vents, and weep holes with fine metal mesh. A 1/8‑inch hardware cloth or finer helps block scorpions while allowing ventilation.
- Secure mesh with weather‑resistant fasteners and inspect annually.
Cracks and gaps
- Caulk around window and door frames, plumbing penetrations, electrical conduit, gas lines, cable entries, and dryer vents.
- Fill cracks in stucco, block walls, and concrete. Repair damaged mortar joints and stucco at the base of walls.
- Weatherstrip attic hatches and crawlspace entries so lids fit tightly.
Windows and screens
- Repair torn screens and ensure frames fit snugly.
- Check that window gaskets and weep hole covers are intact.
Tighten up indoors
Once the exterior is tighter, reduce indoor hiding spots and monitor quietly in the background.
- Store items off the floor on shelving. Use clear plastic bins with tight lids instead of cardboard boxes, especially in the garage.
- Shake out shoes, towels, clothing, and bedding that sit on the floor.
- Place sticky traps along baseboards, behind furniture, under sinks, and in garage corners to monitor and catch wandering scorpions. Check and replace them regularly.
- Keep pet food areas clean and away from exterior walls. Pick up spilled kibble to limit insect prey.
Smarter landscaping, fewer scorpions
Yard design matters. Make the immediate perimeter around your house less attractive to scorpions and their prey.
- Move woodpiles, rock piles, and stored materials several yards from the house, or elevate them off the ground.
- Create an 18 to 24 inch clear zone next to the foundation. Keep it low and simple, like single‑layer rock or gravel with a weed barrier, rather than dense mulch.
- Trim shrubs and trees so they do not touch the house. Vegetation can act like a bridge to your walls and roof.
- Fix irrigation leaks and avoid overwatering. Direct drip lines and sprinklers away from the foundation and reduce moisture near HVAC units.
Light and water choices
Scorpions follow their prey, and many insects flock to bright lights and damp areas.
- Swap bright white exterior bulbs for warm‑color LED or “bug” lights to reduce insect attraction.
- Avoid standing water in plant saucers and around patios. Empty, drain, or relocate items that hold water.
- Keep hose bibs, irrigation valves, and sprinkler heads in good repair.
Pesticides as part of a plan
Chemical treatments can help, but they are not a magic fix on their own.
- Use pesticides as part of an integrated plan that starts with sealing and landscape changes. Perimeter barrier treatments and targeted crack‑and‑crevice applications can reduce numbers.
- Consider hiring a licensed pest control professional experienced with scorpions. They can apply residual insecticides and dusts into voids and advise on safe, label‑approved products and re‑treatment timing.
- Expect repeat inspections. Scorpions are resilient and may recolonize over time without ongoing maintenance.
Nighttime inspections that work
Scorpions are most active after dark. A quick weekly check helps you stay ahead.
What to use
- A quality UV or blacklight flashlight makes scorpions glow, making them easy to spot.
- Wear sturdy boots, long pants, and thick gloves. Carry long tongs or a grabber tool for safety.
Where to look
- Along the base of exterior walls, at door thresholds, under window wells, near AC units, and around irrigation lines.
- In garages, storage rooms, potted plant saucers, and around wood or rock piles.
How often
- Check once a week during warm months, and after heavy rain or prolonged heat. In cooler periods, check as needed.
Capture and disposal
- Use long tongs or the coffee‑can method: place a container over the scorpion, slide a stiff card underneath, then secure the lid before relocating or disposing according to local rules.
- Replace glue traps as they fill. Keep traps out of reach of children and pets.
When to call pros
- If you are finding multiple scorpions indoors, suspect wall voids or attic activity, or you simply prefer expert help, contact a licensed pest control operator with scorpion experience.
If a sting happens
Stay calm and follow a simple plan.
First aid basics
- Keep the person still and the limb immobilized.
- Wash the sting site with soap and water.
- Apply a cold pack wrapped in a cloth for short intervals. Avoid direct ice on skin.
- Consider over‑the‑counter pain relief as directed on the label if appropriate.
- Watch for drooling, breathing or swallowing trouble, unusual eye movements, muscle twitching, sweating, agitation, or severe chest or abdominal pain.
When to call for help
- Call Poison Control at 1‑800‑222‑1222 for guidance. They can help assess symptoms and advise on next steps.
- Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if there is trouble breathing, altered consciousness, seizures, severe pain not helped by oral medication, or if a young child is stung.
Hospital care and antivenom
- Arizona hospitals routinely treat scorpion envenomation. Care is supportive, and antivenom may be given when symptoms are severe or progressing, often after consultation with poison control.
Pets
- Dogs and cats can be stung. If your pet shows pain, drooling, agitation, tremors, or wobbliness, contact a veterinarian promptly.
What not to do
- Do not use tourniquets, cut or suction the wound, apply electricity, or give alcohol or unproven home remedies.
When to hire help in Mesa
If you want faster results or ongoing maintenance, bring in a pro.
- Ask for a company licensed to treat in Arizona with specific scorpion experience.
- Request details on products used, where they will be applied, frequency of service, follow‑up inspections, and any monitoring plans.
- Ask whether they can perform or coordinate exclusion work, like sealing penetrations and installing mesh on vents.
- Verify license and insurance. In Arizona, you can request license information and confirm that pesticides will be applied according to label directions.
Local resources include University of Arizona Cooperative Extension materials on bark scorpion biology and home exclusion, the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center for sting guidance, and Maricopa County public health resources for pest management information.
Make it part of your home plan
If you are prepping to list your Mesa home, a quick scorpion‑proofing tune‑up helps your house feel comfortable for showings and reduces late‑night surprises during the inspection phase. If you are moving into the East Valley, building these steps into your move‑in checklist can save headaches later.
You do not have to figure it out alone. With neighborhood know‑how and a network of trusted local vendors, we can help you prioritize repairs and make smart, cost‑effective choices that fit your timeline.
Ready to create a safer, more comfortable home in Mesa or prep for a smooth sale? Reach out to Rebecca Smith Real Estate to talk through your plan and request your free home valuation.
FAQs
Are Arizona bark scorpions common in Mesa homes?
- Yes. They are widespread across the Phoenix East Valley and may enter homes through small gaps, especially during warm months or after rain.
What attracts scorpions to my Mesa yard?
- Moisture and insects. Overwatering, leaky irrigation, dense mulch, and bright white lights that draw bugs can make your yard more inviting.
How often should I do night checks with a UV light?
- Once a week during warm seasons, plus after heavy rains or heat waves. Reduce frequency in cooler periods based on activity.
Do glue traps really work for scorpions?
- They help with monitoring and can catch wandering scorpions. Use them along baseboards and in garage corners, and replace regularly.
What should I do if a child is stung by a scorpion in Mesa?
- Call Poison Control at 1‑800‑222‑1222 for immediate guidance and seek prompt medical care. Go to the emergency department for any systemic or worsening symptoms.
Can pest control eliminate scorpions completely?
- No single method guarantees elimination. The best results come from sealing entry points, adjusting landscaping, ongoing monitoring, and targeted professional treatments.
