Graphic bug spray damage assessment pics

[LVSteve]

In the 1990s, various stupid humans decided we needed palm trees in Vegas. Being impatient, they didn't wait for the local nurseries to grow them, so complete trees were imported from Arizona, complete with any attached livestock. As a result, an invasive species was introduced, the Arizona Bark Scorpion, AKA Centruroides sculpturatus .

This is one nasty bug. The sting is the most venomous of the scorpions in the US and they are notoriously tough. Las Vegas has been fighting a rearguard action against these critters for some time, but according to the pest control guys, they are now pretty universal across the valley. Control measures include:

1) Removal of places to hide and eliminating habitat.
2) Starving them out by killing all their prey.
3) Hunting the buggers mano a mano at night with a black light and a suitable weapon. Hammers, long nosed pliers make suitable implements, and Raid Max in the black can is also highly effective for those who don't want to get too up close.

I go the Raid route as they are frequently found on top of walls where they would be hard to grab with pliers. Did I also mention they can be devilish fast?

So last night I went hunting, and was soon presented with a glowing set of scorpion legs, tail and pincers, but the back was dark. I knew immediately that this was a female carrying young and went to work with the Raid. Carnage followed. I assume the scavengers got a lot of the young, but even this morning there was quite a body count.

Those with weak stomachs should stop scrolling down now.

 

[1sailor]

We used to get scorpions all the time in the bathtub at an old house I once lived at. The tub drained into an old dry well. We figure they were coming in from there but then didn't know how to get back out. The tub drain was homemade and plugs wouldn't fit very well. So we had a very firm rule that after your shower you flipped the shower curtain up over the rail. If you didn't the scorpions would climb up in the curtain, then drop out and surprise you when you were showering. It didn't happen every day but often enough that it was a thing.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Scorpions are quite common here in southern Colorado. Very active during a couple of periods every year. Usually seen in areas near water sources, in the mornings and late evenings, also during the night.

My club is located right beside the Arkansas River. Not unusual for the patio area to be overrun with scorpions. Not particularly aggressive critters, but when a hundred or more are roaming around underfoot it can become interesting.

Local lizards (called skinks) seem to have figured out how to deal with scorpions, make a quick meal of them.

We also have tarantula season, when those critters are migrating or looking for love in all the wrong places. Most are smaller than the palm of your hand, but occasionally one will be the size of a dinner plate. Roadrunners seem to enjoy tarantulas, maybe when they can't find a rattlesnake to play with.

 

[ameridaddy]

In the 1990s, various stupid humans decided we needed palm trees in Vegas. Being impatient, they didn't wait for the local nurseries to grow them, so complete trees were imported from Arizona, complete with any attached livestock. As a result, an invasive species was introduced, the Arizona Bark Scorpion, AKA Centruroides sculpturatus .

This is one nasty bug. The sting is the most venomous of the scorpions in the US and they are notoriously tough. Las Vegas has been fighting a rearguard action against these critters for some time, but according to the pest control guys, they are now pretty universal across the valley. Control measures include:

1) Removal of places to hide and eliminating habitat.
2) Starving them out by killing all their prey.
3) Hunting the buggers mano a mano at night with a black light and a suitable weapon. Hammers, long nosed pliers make suitable implements, and Raid Max in the black can is also highly effective for those who don't want to get too up close.

I go the Raid route as they are frequently found on top of walls where they would be hard to grab with pliers. Did I also mention they can be devilish fast?

So last night I went hunting, and was soon presented with a glowing set of scorpion legs, tail and pincers, but the back was dark. I knew immediately that this was a female carrying young and went to work with the Raid. Carnage followed. I assume the scavengers got a lot of the young, but even this morning there was quite a body count.

Those with weak stomachs should stop scrolling down now.

That's an outtake from Alien, right?

 

[Rustyt1953]

They aren't all bad. They gave us Rock You Like a Hurricane.

 

[30-30remchester]

I have no idea where LoboGun Leather lives, but I am distressed to learn there are scorpions along the Arkansas river. I live near the Arkansas river but nearer the source. He can keep them nasty things. After working the desert of Arizona for 5 years, I learned to live with the creepy crawlies. Rattlers, tarantulas, gila mosters and the like were of no concern or worry. But them scorpions and wasps have ZERO reason to exist. I did my best to put those two species in the extinct category.

 

[steelslaver]

Like rats and roaches, scorpions are hard to find around here.

 

[S&W Fan]

When my family moved from NJ to Tucson in 1968 one of the first lessons my father taught a 12 yr old me was to always shake out my shoes before I put them on....oh and do so outside not in the house LOL.

 

[Bugkiller99]

They aren't all bad. They gave us Rock You Like a Hurricane.

BOOO! HISS!

 

[twodog max]

I dislike scorpions intensely. Zero tolerance around here

 

[Breakaway500]

No scorpions here..just mice. Lots of them this year. They seem harmless till you are infested with them. 48 traps arrived yesterday and going out on patrol today.

 

[PALADIN85020]

One of the few memories I have of my maternal grandfather (he died when I was young) was him teaching me to shake out my shoes before I put them on. This was in Bisbee, Arizona in the early 1940s.

I have been stung by a scorpion, and I would not wish that on anybody. One sting hurt like hell and nearly paralyzed my right hand and forearm.

Whatever you can do to eliminate them, do it.

John

 

[VictorLouis]

I have been privileged to have NEVER seen or dealt with one in my several Arizona residences over time. I HAVE seen them at the workplace a time or two. Nasty little critters.

Good on you for taking out a Momma with young'ns.

 

[S42N8]

They aren't all bad. They gave us Rock You Like a Hurricane.

And were the Faux Floyd in the 1990 The Wall - Live in Berlin performance. Sadly, Cyndi Lauper (kinda) performed as well.

 

[JohnHL]

They aren't all bad. They gave us Rock You Like a Hurricane.

There's "No One Like You", Rusty!

John

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

IMHO scorpions are the reason the 500 S&W and the .460 Weatherby Magnum were invented in the first place.

My advise to those who find dens full of these things is to forgo the regular order of pest control and go straight for the thermonuclear devices.

 

[Eric300]

Just be thankful they don't fly!

 

[Igiveup]

I remember shaking scorpions out of my boots in the mornings when I lived out of Willcox, Az. It just became habit. Now, when my grandsons come visiting, they tend to explore the woods and sometimes find a scorpion under a rock in the road ditch. I just don't look for them.

 

[MRB1]

I was sound asleep in my hunting trailer when one got me FIVE times on the right cheek right below the eye. I have never experienced pain like that ever. Fortunately, the pain didn't last more than an hour. The scorpion died a more painful death. Had one get me on the toe inside my work boot, and another on the arm while he was hiding in the folds of a curtain.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I have no idea where LoboGun Leather lives, but I am distressed to learn there are scorpions along the Arkansas river. I live near the Arkansas river but nearer the source. He can keep them nasty things. After working the desert of Arizona for 5 years, I learned to live with the creepy crawlies. Rattlers, tarantulas, gila mosters and the like were of no concern or worry. But them scorpions and wasps have ZERO reason to exist. I did my best to put those two species in the extinct category.

I live in Pueblo, Colorado. Elevation about 4300 feet. Sometimes called the "Buckle of the Banana Belt" in reference to our central location on the Arkansas River valley and the generally mild year-round climate.

Your location "nearer the source" of the Arkansas River suggests the areas of Salida and Leadville, about twice the elevation of Pueblo.

I have experienced scorpions as far west as Penrose and Canon City on the Arkansas River. I have dealt with rattlesnakes as far up the Arkansas River canyon as Salida.

Transplanted Californians and Texans seem to prefer the higher elevations. I'm not sure which might compete with scorpions or rattlesnakes as neighbors.