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How to Get Rid of Scorpions – Do It Yourself

For many years, mankind has been looking for the ultimate solution to get rid of scorpions that invade our homes. It is for this reason that in this article, we will talk about the scorpion repellents that we can use in our homes. In addition, you will learn some tips to prevent them from entering your home.

But, before talking about scorpion repellents, it is necessary to know their habits and the dangers you are exposed to with these arachnids, but in case you already know their habits, we invite you to continue reading, since this knowledge will help you to know the reason why they enter your home and prevent their appearance.

Scorpions are survivors and have adapted to a wide range of habitats, from savanna to tropical jungles and even caves, however, they are abundantly found in more arid climates.

Scorpions often appear in the heat of summer and burrow into our homes. This can get worse during the rainy season, as they will need to come indoors due to a large amount of water.

Description of Scorpions

Scorpions are part of the arachnid family and are closely related to spiders, mites, and ticks. These arachnids can live from 3 to 5 years, and a mother can have an average of 30 young per litter. It is for this reason that if you suffer from a scorpion infestation, it is best to hurry and try to eliminate or repel them.

Scorpions are nocturnal animals and spend all day under rocks, logs, or cracks in concrete. Some species dig burrows in the ground to hide. At night these nocturnal hunters emerge to eat spiders, insects, and other small invertebrates, but their diet can be highly variable.

Surprisingly, when there is an extreme shortage of food, they can go into a state of semi-suspended animation, slowing their metabolism by two-thirds. This allows some species to survive by consuming a few flies a year. When temperatures rise in the mornings they seek a cool, dark place for protection, which may be a rock, woodpile, or under the bark of some trees.

Scorpions use their pincers to hunt their prey. In addition, they can use their stingers to inject venom into their victims. Their prey becomes paralyzed, making it easier for them to be devoured.

Cases of scorpion stings are common in places close to their habitat. Their sting is capable of causing death if not treated in time, especially in the most venomous species. It is for this reason that, if you have a considerable number of these arachnids, we advise you to call pest control, due to the danger you are exposed to. Otherwise, and if the population is minimal, you can try to use the following natural scorpion repellents.

description of scorpions
Cedarwood oil is an excellent natural scorpion repellent.

How to Repel Scorpions

The best natural scorpion repellent you can find is prevention, preventing these animals from entering your home. In case they are already in your home, you can use essential oils or other insecticides, however, the latter can be highly toxic. It is for this reason that we recommend its use if necessary and under the supervision of a professional.

How to Get Rid of Scorpions – Prevent The Entrance

One of the best natural scorpion repellents is to prevent their entry, for this, you must do a thorough cleaning to remove any loose wood, rock, or debris that can serve as a home. But this not only applies in case of preventing their entrance but also in case of invasion to remove their home. You should also remove any trash that may attract scorpions. It is important to keep your lawn and garden short and make sure no branches are hanging over your house to get rid of scorpions.

If you have a fireplace, you should place firewood several yards away from your house. This can be inconvenient, but it is a necessary step to get rid of scorpions and prevent them from invading your property.

When it comes to indoors, you should seal all cracks and holes in interior and exterior walls. Finally, make sure that windows and doors have no holes for scorpions to enter.

Natural Scorpion Repellent

Diatomaceous Earth to Get Rid of Scorpions

It could be said that it is one of the most effective natural scorpion repellents. Just spread this powder around the perimeter of your house. The diatomaceous earth adheres to the scorpion’s exoskeleton and begins to dehydrate it. Preventive use of diatomaceous earth also helps protect your home from future scorpion infestations.

You should also hunt scorpions at night to apply diatomaceous earth without coming in contact with them. All you need to do is acquire ultraviolet light, as this type of light will reflect a noticeable fluorescent green color when illuminated. Once you find one, take some diatomaceous earth and place it in the area where you have seen it. Make sure this product is evenly distributed, like a fine layer of powder.

You should learn more about diatomaceous earth in our article about how to use diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous Earth (Order it here). This is an excellent method to get rid of scorpions.

natural scorpion repllent diatomaceous earth
Our reader Jason from Arkansas sent us a picture of a scorpion he caught in his house with diatomaceous earth.

Lavender Oil to Get Rid of Scorpions

While growing lavender bushes around the perimeter of your home can be one of the most useful natural scorpion repellents, however, this can take a while. Instead, you can mix about 10 to 20 drops of lavender essential oil with water in a spray bottle. Spray these contents around the perimeter of your doors, windows, or inside your home.

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Cedarwood Oil for Scorpions

Cedar is one of the most powerful natural scorpion repellents, which is also true of the oil made from this tree. A very fragrant product whose smell can repel scorpions. To use cedarwood oil, you can mix 10 to 15 drops of cedarwood oil in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Afterward, spray it around windows, doors, and inside your home.

You should also add cedar chips to flower beds around the perimeter of your home. Any products made of cedar, such as pots or boxes, can be placed near doors and windows. This is an excellent method to get rid of scorpions.

Does cedarwood oil kill scorpions? Cedarwood oil does not kill scorpions, cedarwood oil is used as a natural scorpion repellent.

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Remove Food from Scorpions

Eliminating the scorpion’s food source can be very useful, for this you only need to control the presence of insects, especially cockroaches. This is an excellent method to get rid of scorpions.

To eliminate other insects that scorpions feed on, you can also use diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth eliminates all types of insects because it acts in contact with their exoskeleton.

Homemade Natural Scorpion Repellent

Follow these steps to make the best homemade natural scorpion repellent and get rid of scorpions.

In a spray bottle, you should combine:

  • 2 cups of water
  • 20 drops of cedarwood essential oil (Order here).
  • 20 drops of lavender essential oil (Order here).
  • 10 drops of lemon essential oil (Order here).
  • 10 drops of wild orange essential oil (Order here).
  • 5 drops cinnamon essential oil (Order here).

Shake to distribute, the most important ingredient is the essential oils, as scorpions hate such odors. Spray this mixture on door and window frames. This should be done every 2 weeks

homemade scorpion repellent
It is best to use natural scorpion repellents and not chemical solutions that harm the environment.

How to Get Rid of Scorpions – Chemical Repellents

While these scorpion repellents can be very useful, I personally don’t like them, as they contain a variety of chemicals. I prefer natural scorpion repellents.

Some insecticides are made with pyrethrins, which are derived from the chrysanthemum flower and contain a natural mixture of chemicals to kill insects and arachnids. However, these products are not always made naturally, as a chemical called pyrethroids has now been artificially created.

The main problem with these products is that they both affect nerves and brain function. It becomes important to be alert if you are going to come into contact with this product, as your body may experience the following symptoms:

  • Numbness and tingling
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Severe seizures or even loss of consciousness for several days.

Of course, a smaller dose is needed in children to create the same symptoms.

What To Do If a Scorpion Bites You?

Despite discovering how to get rid of scorpions throughout this article, there are situations in which it is inevitable to suffer a bite. In this case, the first thing to do is to go to the doctor as soon as possible, as it is essential to get well. During the first three hours after the sting, you must monitor your breathing, heart rate, and other vital signs, so it is essential to receive medical assistance to monitor these signs to act appropriately if there is a worsening.

Do not apply home remedies to cure a scorpion sting at home and that’s it, as these should be the first aid to get a little better and avoid complications in the time it takes to reach a medical center. The only thing you can do is to wash the affected area with plenty of soap and water and also use ice to reduce swelling, Immediately afterward go to the doctor and follow all his instructions to treat the sting.

Now that you know how to get rid of scorpions from your home, you may also want to know how to chase away other animals from entering your home:

Home Remedies for Slugs: Natural and Ecological

How To Mix Neem Oil For Plants – Step by Step

what to do if scorpion bites you
Scorpion in a terrarium.

About Henry Morgan

Henry Morgan is an agronomist horticulture founder of The Garden Style Company and The Garden Style Website. He previously worked for Mondelēz International as an Agronomist Engineer specializing in agricultural products management in highly populated areas. In 2000, Henry started working with farmer-producers in agricultural businesses selling wholesale fresh produce and retail plants in Van Buren, Arkansas. Nowadays, Henry lives in California, where he offers expert consulting services for organic vegetable gardening. As a science writer working with his wife, Julia, Henry shares his passion for gardening and farming, trying to reach and teach as many folks as possible.

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