California’s common scorpion – Paruroctonus silvestrii – Yes, they are venomous.
The venom of scorpions can affect our nervous system, resulting in severe pain at the point of the sting, heart effects and numbing of the skin tissues around the sting area.
In nature the hiding places are under any objects on the ground under which the scorpion can find its way, such as rocks or logs. If there is human clutter around, the list can expand to boards, tires, yard waste piles, pool toys etc. This is step one in preventing scorpion presence close to your home – clean up all those places the scorpions can hide if there is no reason for the objects to be on the ground in your yard. A second important step, of course, would be to carefully inspect any clothing you are about to put on if it has spent the night in a location where a scorpion could have crawled into it.
If you are stung you might apply an ice-pack to the sting site, as this may help reduce swelling. Otherwise, unless you live where the Bark Scorpion is present, you should be no more fearful of the sting of the scorpion than you are of a bee sting. Since a scorpion sting is immediately painful you will generally know that you have been stung, and the perpetrator will be right there with you, unlike some spider bites that may be completely painless at the time of the bite. However, if the victim is a child or an older adult the best precaution would be to call 911 and take them to a doctor immediately.
To learn how No Bugs can protect you from scorpions please call Tyler or Emilia at 661-294-0206.