IT’S JUST TOO HOT FOR SCORPIONS!

The lowly, and widely feared scorpion requires assistance in controlling its body temperature when the Texas weather heats up. The reputation the scorpion has for being aggressive is inaccurate. Indeed, most scorpion stings come from a human putting on a shoe where a scorpion is hiding, or crawling into bed with one, or even accidentally sitting on one. The reason for these occurrences is that when the weather gets too hot, scorpions head for cool, moist, dark spaces and that often means crawling into an air-conditioned home through improperly sealed doors and windows, via plumbing and into kitchens and bathrooms, dropping from trees on to roofs and into chimneys or other places where screens may have been damaged, or into exterior dryer flaps, ending up in clothing left in dryers. Repair dripping faucets and pipes
The best deterrent of course is to make sure weather stripping is secure, holes are filled and areas around pipes are well sealed. Bleach in septic systems is a good idea and planting lavender around the perimeter of your home will deter them as will lavender oils and dried lavender plants inside the home. Citrus is also considered a deterrent including citrus plants and citrus oil cleaners.
And finally, removing places where scorpions will nest such as woodpiles, high grassy areas, branches that hang over the house, garage or shed. Rest garbage containers and compost containers on bricks or other items that push them up above ground level. Add mesh to the base of the compost bin; this will also keep out rodents. If you want to search for them at night, get an ultraviolet light to hunt by because scorpions actually fluoresce. Chickens consider scorpions a tasty treat and some cats will hunt them but never try to force a cat to catch a scorpion – they will avoid them if they are really venomous.
The striped bark scorpion is the most prevalent in Texas and no they do not travel in groups but they do hibernate in groups of up to 20 or more. Scorpions have eyes in the front and on the sides of their bodies but their sight is poor and it is believed that the tiny hairs on their bodies inform them when something or someone is nearby.
 
Remember, scorpions are not likely to attack. They will respond when “pressured” though so best to keep them out of places where you might inadvertently make contact.