Finding a scorpion in the bathtub, a shoe or the kids' room is a shock, and in North Texas it happens a lot. The striped bark scorpion is the one we see in Collin County: tan-yellow, about 2 to 3 inches long, with two dark stripes down its back. Its sting is painful but rarely dangerous for healthy adults, though young children, older adults and people with allergies should get medical advice. Bark scorpions are excellent climbers, they squeeze through gaps as thin as a credit card, and they're most common in new neighborhoods built on former pasture. Around the Block is a family-owned, Christian-owned company that has dealt with them across Collin County since 2012.
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Why scorpions show up in new North Texas homes
Scorpions already live under rocks, logs and debris in open land. When builders grade a new phase, the scorpions look for new shelter, and fresh rock beds, landscape edging, stone facades, block walls and weep holes are perfect. That's why we hear from so many families in Prosper, Celina, Anna, Princeton and the newer parts of McKinney, plus stone-front homes in Lucas.
Signs of scorpion activity
Scorpions in sinks, tubs or showers (they come in looking for water and can't climb out)
Scorpions on walls or ceilings, especially at night
Scorpions in the garage, near door thresholds or in shoes and laundry left on the floor
Lots of crickets and roaches, which are scorpion food
How we treat scorpions
Inspect the hiding spots. Rock beds, edging, woodpiles, block walls, weep holes, utility boxes, door thresholds and attic access.
Treat where scorpions live and travel. We treat the foundation, landscape beds, garage, eaves and attic access, not just the open lawn.
Reduce their food. Our quarterly plan also covers crickets, roaches and other insects scorpions eat.
Seal the gaps. We show you the gaps to seal, such as weep holes (with screens that still let the wall breathe), door sweeps, garage seals and utility penetrations, and can help with exclusion work.
Follow up. A 30-day follow-up, then quarterly visits. Re-treatments between visits are free. Our organic program runs on a two-month schedule.
What you can do at home
Pull rock, mulch and stored items back a few inches from the slab.
Keep woodpiles, bricks and lumber off the ground and away from the house.
Install door sweeps and replace worn garage door seals.
Shake out shoes, towels and clothes, and pull beds and cribs a few inches away from walls.
Use a blacklight at night. Scorpions glow under UV, so you can see where they're coming from.
Scorpion control FAQ
Are North Texas scorpions dangerous?
Striped bark scorpion stings hurt, like a bad wasp sting, but are rarely dangerous to healthy adults. Call your doctor or Poison Control if a child, older adult or someone with allergies is stung, or if symptoms are severe.
Why do I find scorpions in the bathtub?
They come in looking for water and moisture, then can't climb the smooth sides
Will sticky traps fix the problem?
They help you see where scorpions travel, but they won't stop a population. Treating hiding spots and sealing gaps does.
Do scorpions go away in winter?
They slow down and hide in walls, attics and rock beds, then come back out in spring. Winter is a great time to seal gaps.
Are scorpions included in the quarterly plan?
Yes. Our quarterly plan treats the perimeter, garage and other areas where scorpions hide, and it also controls the crickets and roaches they eat. Re-treatments between visits are free.
Can scorpions climb into beds and cribs?
Bark scorpions climb well. Pull beds and cribs a few inches away from walls, keep bedding off the floor and shake out blankets before bed.
How long until I see fewer scorpions?
Most homes see fewer within a few weeks, especially after the 30-day follow-up visit. Sealing weep holes and door gaps speeds it up.
Related pages
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Around the Block Pest Control: family-owned and Christian-owned · 8720 Silverado Trail, STE 3B, McKinney, TX 75070 · TX license #0782331 · Serving McKinney, Allen, Plano, Frisco, Prosper and Collin County since 2012