Scorpion Control FAQ – Cummings Pest Control

The most common scorpion in our service area is the Arizona bark scorpion, which is also the most venomous scorpion in North America. We also encounter desert hairy scorpions and stripe-tailed scorpions in Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Paradise Valley, and Rio Verde. Bark scorpions are the primary concern because they are the only species that can climb walls and ceilings, making them more likely to turn up inside your home.

Arizona bark scorpion stings are painful and can be medically significant, especially for young children, elderly adults, and people with compromised immune systems. Symptoms typically include intense pain, numbness, and tingling at the sting site. In rare cases, particularly with small children, stings can cause difficulty breathing, muscle twitching, and other serious symptoms that require emergency medical attention. If you or a family member is stung and experiences severe symptoms, call 911 or the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center.

Scorpions enter homes seeking water, shelter from extreme heat, and prey insects. They can squeeze through gaps as narrow as a credit card. Common entry points include gaps under doors, cracks in the foundation, openings around pipes and utility lines, and spaces where the stucco meets the foundation. Homes near washes, undeveloped desert, or rocky landscaping in areas like Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley, and Rio Verde tend to see more scorpion activity.

We use a multi-layered approach to scorpion control. This includes treating the exterior perimeter of your home with products that target scorpions and their prey, sealing common entry points, removing harborage areas like wood piles and debris, and applying targeted interior treatments where needed. Because scorpions feed on crickets, roaches, and other insects, reducing the prey population is a critical part of our strategy.

For effective scorpion control in the East Valley, we recommend monthly treatments during peak season (April through October) and bi-monthly treatments during the cooler months. Scorpions are resilient pests, and consistent treatment is key to keeping them out. Cummings Pest Control offers year-round service plans that provide continuous protection for your home and family.

Yes, scorpions glow a bright blue-green under ultraviolet (black) light, making them much easier to spot at night. Our technicians use professional UV flashlights during evening inspections to assess scorpion activity around your property. You can also use a portable black light to check your home at night — just be careful where you step if you find them.

Along with professional treatment from Cummings Pest Control, there are several things you can do. Seal gaps under exterior doors with weather stripping. Caulk cracks around windows, pipes, and utility penetrations. Remove wood piles, rock piles, and yard debris near your home. Keep landscaping trimmed away from the house. Fix leaky faucets and irrigation lines that create moisture. And always shake out shoes and clothing that have been sitting on the floor — a habit every Arizona resident should develop.

Unfortunately, yes. Arizona bark scorpions are excellent climbers and can scale walls, ceilings, and furniture. This is why it is important to keep beds pulled away from walls, avoid letting bedding touch the floor, and maintain regular pest control. Some customers also use smooth-sided bed leg protectors. Cummings Pest Control’s regular treatment program significantly reduces the chance of encountering scorpions indoors.

The products we use are applied by licensed technicians following strict safety protocols. We select treatments that target scorpions and insects while minimizing risk to your family and pets. Exterior treatments are the primary line of defense, and we advise keeping children and pets off treated surfaces until they are completely dry, which usually takes about 30 minutes.

It is very common, especially if your home is near undeveloped desert land, which is typical in communities like Fountain Hills, Rio Verde, and parts of North Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. New construction can also disturb scorpion habitats, driving them into nearby homes. Cummings Pest Control can quickly get your scorpion situation under control with an initial intensive treatment followed by a regular maintenance plan. Most customers see a dramatic reduction in scorpion sightings within the first few treatments.