Scorpions

Just wondering what's the deal with scorpions? I found one in my house the other day and my wife freaked. From what I gather online, they rarely sting humans or pets, but when they do, it feels like a really really bad bee sting, and an ER visit isn't necessary unless you have an allergic reaction.

Is this correct? Should I be more concern? How bad are the stings? What if one stings my dog?

Scott

Scott;

Do you have an exterminator coming at least quarterly to treat your home and property? After a few treatments, you'll only find dead ones and even that will be rare. Scorpions are much more common in new construction homes and usually they've been displaced from their habitat.

I've never been stung by one, but from what I've heard it's similar to a bee sting. You should probably call your vets office and ask about what to do if your dog gets stung. Our dogs always steered clear of them so we didn't have to worry.

Welcome to Central Texas, Scottie.  You are correct and up to date on your scorpion knowledge. 

The stings hurt like a mofo.

I read it feels like someone is sticking you with a white hot knife into you...yeah, that'll be something I avoid.

Thanks everyone for your imput.

Scott

 I was born and raised in Austin and have lived in 2 new homes and in the middle of building another new one.  I've been stung numerous times.  Not fun.  I've heard through the grapevine there's this bug spray you can get at home depot called Home Defense and it supposedly works AWESOME.  Also check your weep holes outside if you have any.  Putting copper mesh into them helps keep scorpions out.  Scorpions will remain in your house as long as you have other bugs going in.  That's their food.  I'm gonna try out that home defense stuff as soon as our new house is finished :)  If you try it, please let me know how it works for you.

 Dang, guys  ..  now you got ME freaking out ..  I didn't think scorpions were native except for the far south and west parts of the state ..       Austin is only 180 miles south of me .. 

  Scorpions are my big phobia (that and falling on ice) ..   I was stung on the lip by something when I was a toddler in the redwood forest area of N CA, playing in the garden  ..  almost died from it ..       The hospital never did figure out what it was, but it could have been a scorpion or a nasty spider ..   I wonder if it was in fact a scorpion, b/c to this day they really drive me up a wall whenever I see one on T.V.   

  Please tell me they don't come as far north as the Metroplex ..    (I haven't seen one in my 17 years here) .          Oh well,  hopefully my gas will do them in, if they do ..  

Sorry, but oh yeah, they are in the metroplex and north, more common in new construction areas where they are building in former wooded and creek areas.  Sorry, but DD found them in her dresser drawers, in her dad's new house north of the metro.  Might want to get that exterminator called in.

I was stung by a scorpion on the foot when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter.  We were at the lake and they were all over the bathroom and I moved my foot and didn't look where I was moving it to.  It hurt like you said a white hot poker being stuck in my foot!!  My foot swole up so big.  No ill affects for me or baby just pain in my foot.