Despite their name, wind scorpions aren’t scorpions, and they are
often misidentified as giant spiders. Though they are neither spider nor
scorpion, wind scorpions are a mixture of the two and are often referred to as
sunspiders, solpugids, camel spiders, and solifuges. These nasty-looking
critters appear to have five pairs of legs thanks to a set of leg-like sensory
appendages known as pedipalps.
In the United States, wind scorpions are typically light brown or
reddish with cream or grayish posterior body segments. They usually only have
two forward-facing eyes in the center of their head, and some species have
rudimentary lateral-facing eyes. They can grow to five or six inches in length.
They are not venomous but have two pinchers capable of slicing skin and cutting
through thin bones.
Removing Wind Scorpions from Your Home
Image via Flickr by David-O
Wind scorpions are not capable of causing significant harm to humans, but they
can bite out of self-defense. This makes them a threat, especially to small
children and pets. Keeping them out of your home should be a priority when you
live in an area inhabited by wind scorpions.
Though they are considered pests, wind scorpions help keep other
more severe pests in check, so catching and releasing them is highly
recommended if you find them in your home. However, when you catch and release
wind scorpions, it fixes the immediate problem, but they may find their way
back inside your house once released.
Checking your home for areas where wind scorpions can gain access
is of the utmost importance. If you find cracks in your home’s foundation,
around doors and windows, etc., you will need to seal these cracks off to keep
wind scorpions out. Sealing your home will also help keep other pests out that
wind scorpions feed on, but this method only works when you have cleared your
home from existing pests.
Moisture is one of the main draws for wind scorpions to invade
your personal space. If your home has any plumbing leaks or humidity issues,
wind scorpions will take advantage of these damp areas. Correcting moisture
issues is an excellent way to deter wind scorpions from entering your
household. Using chemicals as means of controlling wind scorpions is not recommended and, in most cases, ineffective.
Wind Scorpion Prevention
Wind scorpions rarely invade homes unless they are searching for
water, prey, and shelter. That said, they are nearly impossible to keep off
your property. Wind scorpions are nocturnal hunters and shelter under logs,
rocks, landscaping timbers, and other ground covering debris during the day. As
a preventive measure, keeping your yard clear of such ground covers will reduce
the chances of a wind scorpion finding its way inside your house.
Professional Pest Removal
When faced with an invasion of wind scorpions inside your home,
you may have to turn to a Houston exterminator. A professional exterminating service such as Bulwark
Exterminating is well equipped to access your unique situation and execute a
plan to eliminate the threat.
Wind scorpions can be intimidating, but they are a benefit to have
around for the most part. However, when they have entered your home, quick
action should be taken to get them out. Contact Bulwark Exterminating today.