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Check harborage outdoors and entry points like weep holes and door sweeps.
Pest Education • DFW Pest Control
Scorpion Control in DFW
The striped bark scorpion is the one most Texans encounter. Learn where it hides, why it slips indoors, and how exclusion keeps it out.
Family-OwnedVeteran-OwnedSince 2016
Reviewed and updated June 2026
At a Glance
The striped bark scorpion hides under rocks, bark, and debris and slips indoors through small gaps. Exclusion and harborage reduction are the keys to control.
Quick Facts
- Type: Striped bark scorpion (common in TX)
- Look: Tan with two dark stripes; up to ~2.5 in
- Hides: Under rocks, bark, debris; enters homes
- Concern: Painful sting; glows under UV light
What Are Scorpions in DFW?
The striped bark scorpion is the species most people encounter in North Texas. It is tan with two darker stripes down the back and is usually a couple of inches long.
Scorpions are nocturnal hunters that hide during the day and glow under ultraviolet light, which is how they are often located at night.
Why They Come Indoors
Scorpions follow prey insects and seek shelter from heat and dryness, which can bring them inside through surprisingly small gaps.
- They hide under rocks, bark, mulch, woodpiles, and debris outdoors.
- Indoors they shelter in garages, closets, shoes, and bath areas.
- They enter through door sweeps, weep holes, plumbing gaps, and cracks.
- Their sting is painful and usually not dangerous to healthy adults, but reactions vary; seek care for severe symptoms or stings to children.
How to Keep Scorpions Out
Scorpions are hard to kill with sprays alone, so control emphasizes exclusion and removing harborage and prey.
- Seal exterior gaps, weep holes, door sweeps, and plumbing penetrations.
- Move woodpiles, rocks, and debris away from the foundation.
- Reduce mulch depth near the house and trim vegetation off the walls.
- Reduce the insects scorpions feed on and treat harborage zones; shake out shoes and clothing left in garages.
Exclude & Clear
Seal gaps and remove woodpiles, rocks, and debris near the home.
Explore services →Reduce Prey
Lower the insect population scorpions hunt and treat harborage.
Request an estimate →Treatments are selected and applied per their labels. Tell us about children, pets, edible gardens, beehives, and other sensitive areas before service, and follow all preparation and re-entry instructions. More on pet- and pollinator-conscious treatment →
Common Questions
How dangerous is a striped bark scorpion sting?
For most healthy adults the sting is painful but not dangerous, similar to a wasp sting. Reactions vary, so seek medical care for severe symptoms, allergic reactions, or stings to young children.
Why do I find scorpions indoors?
They follow prey insects and seek shelter from heat and dryness, entering through weep holes, door sweeps, and small gaps. Reducing entry points and prey helps the most.
Does a UV flashlight help?
Yes. Scorpions glow under ultraviolet light, so a UV flashlight at night is a useful way to find and remove them and identify harborage.
Sources & Further Reading
Guidance changes over time. Follow current product labels and local recommendations. This page is educational and is not medical advice.
Need Help With Scorpions?
Call or email for a free estimate. We’ll recommend an approach that fits your property.