Bark Scorpion Guide: Identification and Prevention for St. George Homes

How to identify a bark scorpion

Positive identification can be hard, especially at night, but bark scorpions share a few common traits:

• Size: usually about 2 to 3 inches long as adults.
• Color: light tan, straw, or yellowish-brown. Some individuals show darker striping.
• Body shape: slender and narrow, with a thin, long tail.
• Pincers: long and thin, not thick or crab-like.
• Behavior: strong climbers. They are often found on walls, ceilings, and the undersides of objects, and may rest with the tail curled to the side.

Where bark scorpions hide around homes

Bark scorpions prefer cool, tight, sheltered spaces during the day and come out at night to hunt insects. Around homes, look in and near:

• Block walls and rock landscaping, especially along the foundation
• Stacked firewood, pavers, lumber, and stored items
• Garages, especially along walls and behind boxes
• Weep screeds, stucco cracks, and gaps near rooflines
• Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other areas near plumbing

Because they climb, bark scorpions can also enter higher up — through gaps around attic vents, eaves, or poorly sealed light fixtures — not just under doors.

How to do a blacklight inspection

Scorpions fluoresce a bright blue-green under ultraviolet light. A handheld UV flashlight makes them much easier to spot at night, and it's one of the best ways to understand how much scorpion activity is around your home.

1. Wait until it's fully dark — about an hour or more after sunset is a good time.
2. Wear closed-toe shoes and gloves, and bring a UV flashlight plus a regular flashlight.
3. Walk slowly along the foundation, block walls, fences, and around doors and windows.
4. Shine the light along walls and up toward eaves, since bark scorpions climb.
5. Check the garage and the inside of the garage door seal.
6. Note where you find them. Clusters near a door, crack, or wall often point to an entry point or hiding place to address.

Don't try to grab a scorpion you spot. The point of the check is to learn where activity is concentrated so you can seal, clean up, or call for help.

Sealing your home against bark scorpions

Bark scorpions can squeeze through very small gaps, so sealing is the most practical long-term step a homeowner can take.

More scorpion prevention tips for St. George homeowners

• Move firewood, rocks, and stored items away from the foundation.
• Reduce insect activity — fewer crickets and bugs means less food for scorpions.
• Keep outdoor lights near doors low or motion-activated to draw fewer insects.
• Pull beds slightly away from walls and keep bedding off the floor.
• Shake out shoes, gloves, and towels left in garages or outdoors.

When to call a professional

If a blacklight check turns up regular activity, you're finding scorpions indoors, or you've sealed obvious gaps and still see them, a professional can help find entry points and recommend a plan. Vexa Pest and Home Services provides scorpion control in St. George, Washington, and nearby communities.

If someone is stung

This article isn't medical advice. Bark scorpion stings can be more serious for young children, older adults, and people with health conditions. Contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance, and call 911 for severe symptoms such as trouble breathing or uncontrolled movements.

Want to go deeper? Browse the Southern Utah scorpion resource page, or learn about Vexa's scorpion control service.