Did you think that scorpions only belonged out West? Think again. There is a scorpion that likes things a little more tropical than most of its cousins. The Southern Devil scorpion is one of the few that are native to the Southeastern US. Are they dangerous enough to warrant a call to your Brevard County pest control service? Read on to learn more.
You’ve probably seen plenty of movies where scorpions are painted as terrifying villains that viciously attack and kill people without provocation using their deadly and fast-acting venom. This is a pretty skewed version of scorpion behavior.
Most scorpions are not really that prone to attack unless they are threatened. Unfortunately, they have a habit of doing things that might result in being “threatened” like climbing inside your nice safe boot where a big foot will soon attempt to crush them. These nocturnal creatures hunt and feed while we sleep so we don’t often know where they’ve hidden come sunup.
They are definitely venomous but few are as deadly as they are made out to be. The really dangerous ones are mostly found in the Middle East and a few are in the Western US. Our Southern Devil isn’t deadly but it still packs a punch.
The sting from a Southern Devil scorpion isn’t lethal but it is painful. The venom is injected from the tip of the scorpion’s abdomen or “tail” as most people perceive it. The site will become red and sore and this can last for days. If you allergic, it can be a much bigger medical problem. Normally this sting is used to subdue prey like spiders and large insects but it’s also a pretty effective method of getting a person or domestic pet to back off as well.
Southern Devils, like most scorpions, are solitary creatures. That means they live and hunt independently of others of their kind and don’t forms cooperative pairs, nests or hives. However, they don’t mind living with close neighbors and if you find one, you could find more nearby.
Homeowners will sometimes find Southern Devils in their woodpile, leaf litter or occasionally in the sink or bathtub. Tubs and sinks are effective if unintended traps – if a scorpion falls in he can’t get out! Most of these creatures are resistant to household pesticides so you might want to call in an outdoor pest control specialist to trap and relocate a Southern Devil.
You probably won’t have a horror movie moment if you find a Southern Devil scorpion but you might want to have the number of your Brevard County pest control service on speed dial, just in case!