If you’ve lived in the greater Tucson, Arizona area for a while, you’ve probably heard of—or maybe even seen—the infamous Arizona bark scorpion. This small but formidable arachnid is one of the most common and concerning pests in our area, especially during the warmer summer months. At Bill’s Home Service Company, we want to help local homeowners understand what makes the bark scorpion unique, how to reduce the chances of an encounter, and what professional solutions are available if they show up in or around your home.

What Is the Arizona Bark Scorpion?

The Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) is the most venomous scorpion in North America. Don’t let its small size (usually 2–3 inches long) fool you—it packs a painful sting that can cause numbness, swelling, and, in some cases, more serious reactions such as difficulty breathing, especially in young children, the elderly, or those with allergies.

Identifying Features:

• Light tan to yellow in color
• Long, slender pincers and a thin, arching tail with a venomous stinger
• Often found in dark, cool, and moist areas
• Nocturnal—active at night and glowing under UV light

Where Do Bark Scorpions Live?

Bark scorpions are native to the Sonoran Desert and thrive in southern Arizona’s hot, dry climate. Outdoors, they’re often found under rocks, wood piles, tree bark, and in cracks or crevices in walls. Indoors, they seek cool hiding spots like closets, laundry rooms, bathrooms, or even inside shoes and bedding. They’re excellent climbers and can squeeze through tiny openings—about the thickness of a credit card—making it easy for them to sneak into homes through unsealed doors, vents, and windows.

DIY Prevention Tips for Homeowners

While it’s nearly impossible to completely eliminate scorpions from the desert environment, you can take several proactive steps to reduce your risk of an encounter:

• Seal entry points: Use weather stripping on doors and windows, caulk cracks around your home, and repair torn screens.
• Declutter your yard: Remove piles of wood, rock, or debris that provide hiding spots.
• Control other pests: Bark scorpions feed on insects like crickets and roaches. Reducing these food sources helps deter them.
• Use yellow bug lights outdoors: These are less attractive to insects, which in turn attracts fewer scorpions.
• Shake out shoes and clothes: Especially if left on the floor or outside overnight.

Professional Scorpion Control

If you’re seeing bark scorpions around your home or have concerns about a growing population, it’s time to bring in the professionals. At Bill’s Home Service, we offer scorpion control solutions tailored for homes in the Tucson area. Our experienced technicians will:

• Perform a thorough inspection to identify entry points and harborage areas.
• Apply targeted treatments around the home’s exterior and interior where scorpions hide.
• Provide recommendations for sealing cracks and addressing other conditions conducive to scorpion activity.
• Offer long-term prevention solutions like pest maintenance plans.

We use products and techniques that are safe for families and pets while being highly effective against scorpions and the pests they prey on.

Don’t Let Scorpions Take Over Your Home

The Arizona bark scorpion might be a part of desert life, but it doesn’t have to be a part of your home. Whether you’ve seen just one or are dealing with a full infestation, we’re here to help. Contact Bill’s Home Service today at (520) 625-2381 or contact us to schedule your inspection and protect your home from unwanted pests.