There are many things to be thankful for living in southern Utah. We have great outdoor activities, a wonderful amphitheater, relatively safe city streets, and splash pads for the kids. But, we do have a threat in southern Utah. We have scorpions! Specifically, we have the Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion. The Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion, or desert hairy for short, is the largest scorpion in North America. They can grow as large as 7 inches, or roughly the distance between the tip of your pinky and thumb when you throw the hang-ten gesture!
Its name derives from its size (Giant), its habitat (Desert), and its numerous large sensory hairs on its body and legs (Hairy). The desert hairy is dull to bark yellow with the distinctive scorpion tail and claws. While the claws do not hurt, the tail does pack a punch.
Luckily, the toxicity index rating of a desert hairy sting is equitable to a wasp sting. You will feel the sting, you won’t be happy about it, but the sting is mostly cosmetic and does not require medical attention.
What Do They Eat?
Giant Desert Hairy Scorpions are nocturnal stalking hunters, they emerge at night and actively track down and hunt their meals. They will position themselves in advantageous locations and ambush insects, spiders, small lizards, and even fellow scorpions. They will sting their prey, crush them with their claws, and then devour their meal.
Are They Aggressive?
They are aggressive and readily sting when provoked. Fortunately, as stated earlier, stings are equitable to a wasp. While allergic reactions can occur, they are rare.
What Should I Do If Stung?
If you or someone you know is stung by a desert hairy:
- Clean the wound with soap and warm water.
- Apply a cool compress to help reduce pain and swelling.
- Avoid consuming food or liquid IF you’re having difficulty swallowing.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed.
Pest Proofing
If you are looking to reduce the number of scorpions on your property? Sealing the gap between the cinder blocks in your back fence will cut down on the available hiding locations that scorpions, spiders, and other creepy crawlers use. While we offer a guaranteed scorpion service, nothing...NOTHING...beats pest proofing.
Conclusion
While we do have a threat of scorpions in southern Utah, the threat is manageable. If you have any questions about scorpions, scorpion proofing your home or office, or other pest-related inquires please call our office, Eric loves to talk bugs!
