The species most common and widespread in Texas loves to invade homes.
If you’ve seen more scorpions in Texas lately, it’s for a reason. July and August are when temperatures are usually the hottest and conditions are driest in the state, and when scorpion activity is at its peak. While the creepy crawlers with crab-like pincers and barbed tails can be spotted throughout other months of the year, scorpions thrive in dry habitats. Their mating takes place in the fall, spring, and early summer, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Service—so it appears the Lone Star State is not totally out of the woods yet.
Close relatives of ticks, mites and spiders, scorpions are eight-legged arachnids. They are often referred to as “living fossils” since they date back 440 million years in the fossil record to the Silurian period, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Texas has 18 species, but the striped bark scorpion is the most widespread, according to AgriLife. This scorpion variety is yellowish tan in color and marked with two broad, dark stripes running down the length of their back and a dark triangular mark on the front of their head, just above the eyes. Their key characteristic is their slender, pincer-bearing arms, and long slender tails.
Scorpions can be a nuisance, invading homes and attic space. The striped bark scorpion can be found around dead vegetation, fallen logs, and inside homes. In fact, they are the most common species to enter home dwellings, according to AgriLife. Scorpions will sting humans whenever disturbed. Their sting can be painful or even deadly, depending on the species. Of the 1,500 species worldwide, only about 20 to 25 are considered to be dangerous, according to AgriLife. Lucky for us, there are no scorpions in Texas that are considered lethal.
Striped bark scorpion stings are painful and produce local swelling and itching that may persist for several days, according to AgriLife. The severity of a sting is also dependent on a person’s reaction to the venom, so anyone who is stung should be closely monitored for adverse reactions. To treat stings, an ice pack can be applied to the affected area to relieve pain. If swelling and/or pain persists, or if breathing difficulties occur, immediate medical attention is necessary.