Pest Guide · Lake of the Ozarks
Scorpions: how they live, why they invade & how to get rid of them
Surprising to a lot of Lake homeowners: the Ozarks have scorpions. The striped bark scorpion lives across southern Missouri, including the glades and wooded hillsides around the Lake. Its sting hurts like a bad bee sting but is rarely dangerous to healthy adults - still not something you want in the house.
How scorpions live
Striped bark scorpions shelter by day under rocks, bark, woodpiles, and in cool, dark spots, then hunt insects at night. They can climb and squeeze through small gaps, and they're drawn indoors to moisture and to the insects they eat. They glow under UV light, which is how pros locate them at night.
Why they come into your home
Rocky, wooded Ozark lots give them ideal outdoor habitat, and they move inside chasing prey and moisture - through foundation gaps, around utility lines, and into garages, crawlspaces, and lower levels. Firewood and landscape rock stacked against the house are common bridges in.
Signs of a scorpions problem
- Scorpions spotted at night in garages, basements, or on walls
- Sightings after landscaping or moving woodpiles and rock
- They fluoresce green under a UV blacklight
- An uptick in the insects they hunt around the home
How to get rid of scorpions
Control pairs habitat reduction with treatment: clearing harborage near the house, sealing entry points, and treating the perimeter and interior voids where they hide - plus knocking down the insect prey that draws them. Because they tuck into cracks, thorough crack-and-crevice work and follow-ups do more than a surface spray.
How to keep them out
- Move firewood, rock, and debris away from the foundation
- Seal gaps around doors, pipes, and the foundation
- Reduce moisture in crawlspaces and around the home
- Shake out shoes and gloves left in the garage
- Control the insects scorpions feed on
Dealing with scorpions at the Lake? All American has treated them since 1971 - local, licensed, and using no-odor products that are safe around kids and pets. We'll identify what you have and put together a plan that actually solves it.
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