Are Scorpions Venomous?

Scorpions are an oft-misunderstood creature and it’s easy to see why. With their pincers and stinging tails, they just look scary. But how afraid of them should people actually be? As with most arachnids, the truth is that despite their fearsome appearance they’re likely far more afraid of you, but still, if you encounter a scorpion you should give it distance. Treat it with respect and caution. If you keep your distance, North American scorpions are unlikely to act aggressively. Most often when a scorpion stings a person, it’s because the person happened upon its hiding place unexpectedly, surprising both parties. Imagine the scenario: you accidentally startle a resting scorpion, and it stings your hand. What would you do? First, you’d probably want to know: are scorpions venomous?

What’s the Difference Between Venomous and Poisonous?

Poison and venom are both harmful, but there’s a key difference. Poison is something you ingest. Venom is injected into your bloodstream.

Most venomous animals transmit their venom through bites, but scorpions are unusual in that they do it with their stinging tails. They also use their front pincers as weapons, but mostly to restrain and capture smaller prey.

How Can You Tell If a Scorpion is Venomous?

All scorpions are venomous. It’s a tool they’ve used for millennia for survival. The question is how venomous are they?

Most scorpions have venom that produces mild reactions in humans. About ten percent have venom that can cause moderate to severe reactions. The good news is that, in North America, most scorpion stings produce mild effects. The bad news is that we have the Arizona bark scorpion. It’s quite common in desert regions of the southern United States and one of the most venomous species of scorpion in the world. We’ll talk more about it further down.

What Does a Scorpion Sting Look Like?

Scorpion stings generally look like large welts with a dot in the middle, similar to many insect bites and stings. The area can swell to become quite large and red.

If you get stung by a scorpion, it probably won’t take long to realize it. It will likely hurt quite a bit. Mild scorpion stings are on a similar level to a bee sting. The pain can vary in intensity, but it’s local to the site of the sting. Moderate to severe scorpion stings can hurt intensely and the pain can travel to other parts of the body. If you are experiencing moderate to severe symptoms, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

North America’s Most Dangerous Scorpion

There are over 2,000 scorpion species in the world and only 25 of them are venomous enough to potentially kill a human. Unfortunately, one of those 25 is the Arizona bark scorpion and they just so happen to call our part of the country home. That’s why, if you see a scorpion, give it space. In the springtime especially, watch out for bark scorpions.

Bites are extremely painful and pain travels in waves throughout the body. If left untreated, bark scorpion venom has a fatality rate that’s estimated to be somewhere between 1-25%. Fortunately, we have an extremely effective antivenom that prevents the worst effects almost universally. In fact, there hasn’t been a fatality in the United States in over 40 years.

Are Similar Bark Scorpion Species Venomous?

The striped bark scorpion is one of the most common scorpions in the country. It’s easy to confuse this species with the Arizona bark scorpion.

Similar in size and coloring, the striped bark scorpion has slightly more dark on its back than the Arizona bark scorpion. Still, if you’re not a scorpion expert, and even if you are, give these arachnids plenty of space. The striped bark scorpion is also venomous, with a painful sting, but one that’s not as venomous as its Arizona bark scorpion cousin.

The Venomous Scorpion: A Fascinating, Ancient Creature

As a pest control company in Clark County NV, we encounter many different types of insects, arachnids, and bugs every day. However, there is something special about scorpions that captures our fascination. Did you know that scorpions have been around for over 400 million years and have remained relatively unchanged since the early Paleozoic era?

Yes, scorpions are venomous, and for that reason the best policy is to always keep your distance. If you happen to be dealing with scorpions on your property, don’t wait! Call Pest Control Inc today for experienced scorpion removal services.

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