Some facts about scorpions/spiders/snakes in Arizona. (apartment, dangerous)

[Steve-o]

Im gonna cover my butt: KIDS, DONT TRY THAT (^) AT HOME!!!!

[Ponderosa]

Not as big as the first one that's for sure . I've never seen a black one here only the garden variety bark scorps. The biggest was maybe two inches long - good size - the biggest I have seen. It was hiding under a wet towel we had put down to pick up water that spilled from the dog dish. They are flat Stanleys now.

[RockyMtnDreamer]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

After a lull, the scorpions have returned to my place. We killed 4 or 5 in the last month. Big devils too. I found several outside but don't count those in the total. It's kind of interesting. We live on a "preserve" lot and have a lot of scorpions. Neighbors just across the street have never seen one.

I saw a report on the local news that stated the scorpions will not cross asphalt...too hot. So, if you back to open space, you are more likely to see scorpions in your home than your neighbor is if they back to another home or something other than open space.

Also, this is my third home in the valley and never had them in my home prior to living in this home. We are surrounded by open preserve.

You just need to get used to them and put a pair of flip flops on your night stand in case you need to get out of bed in the middle of the night.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Not as big as the first one that's for sure . I've never seen a black one here only the garden variety bark scorps. The biggest was maybe two inches long - good size - the biggest I have seen. It was hiding under a wet towel we had put down to pick up water that spilled from the dog dish. They are flat Stanleys now.

Sounds typical, they usually seek out moisture. From the sound of it, those were bark scorpions, they can be 2-3". Thanks for the reply.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by RockyMtnDreamer

I saw a report on the local news that stated the scorpions will not cross asphalt...too hot. So, if you back to open space, you are more likely to see scorpions in your home than your neighbor is if they back to another home or something other than open space.

Also, this is my third home in the valley and never had them in my home prior to living in this home. We are surrounded by open preserve.

You just need to get used to them and put a pair of flip flops on your night stand in case you need to get out of bed in the middle of the night.

Scorpions can and will cross asphalt. They wont do it in the middle of the day of course as theyre nocturnal, but you can see them at night crossing roads all the time. Heat doesnt bother them as long as theyre not directly in the blazing sun for hours. They have exoskeletons and walk on tiny little claws called "ungues", so hot pavement doesnt really bother them.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by RockyMtnDreamer

I saw a report on the local news that stated the scorpions will not cross asphalt...too hot. So, if you back to open space, you are more likely to see scorpions in your home than your neighbor is if they back to another home or something other than open space.

Also, this is my third home in the valley and never had them in my home prior to living in this home. We are surrounded by open preserve.

You just need to get used to them and put a pair of flip flops on your night stand in case you need to get out of bed in the middle of the night.

The shoes are good advice. Most of our stings have been in the foot from stepping on one. I got stung in the head laying on the carpet one night. Felt this thing tickling my ear and swatted at it. Bam!

[BillyBaroo]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Heat doesnt bother them as long as theyre not directly in the blazing sun for hours. They have exoskeletons and walk on tiny little claws called "ungues", so hot pavement doesnt really bother them

An atomic bomb can't take out a scorpion! You can freeze them in a block of ice for weeks and thaw them out with a blowtorch and they emerge unharmed!

Check out this video

Movie Player (http://www.pharmacy.arizona.edu/movies/moviePlayer.php?movie=movies/scorpion%20freeze.flv - broken link)

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by BillyBaroo

An atomic bomb can't take out a scorpion! You can freeze them in a block of ice for weeks and thaw them out with a blowtorch and they emerge unharmed!

Check out this video

Movie Player (http://www.pharmacy.arizona.edu/movies/moviePlayer.php?movie=movies/scorpion%20freeze.flv - broken link)

Yes, there are certain species in the Andes that can withstand being frozen solid, then return to life when thawed. Most other species will most certainly die when exposed to prolonged freezing temps, hence why they dont exist north of the Mason-Dixon where temps become too cold for year-round survival.

[twiggy]

Nothing like a couple of boys talking bugs! he he he

[Gretchen B]

Okay all you scorpion experts out there. Here's a pic of the scorpion I stepped on in my garage last night! Didn't even know he was there til I heard a *crunch* under my sandal. (Did you get that? I was wearing sandals!!!) I'm sorry but these things do scare me. This is the first scorpion I've seen this year. Time to call the exterminator I guess.

But I'm really curious as to whether or not this is the infamous bark scorpion and IF I was ever bit by one of these, do I just put Caladryl on the bite, or do I rush off to the emergency room?