If you’ve never seen scorpions in Honolulu before, you might be surprised to discover them crawling across the floor of your home. The lesser brown scorpion, the only species of scorpion in Hawaii, is not poisonous, but that doesn’t mean these scorpions make for pleasant house guests. Their sting can cause a great deal of pain, swelling, and occasional mild nausea.

Are you wondering how to keep scorpions out of your home? Or perhaps they’ve already invaded your space, and you’re wondering how to get rid of them? Read on to find out more about these beastly-looking arachnids.

How do scorpions get into my home?

The lesser brown scorpion prefers warm, moist environments. The presence of water attracts them. They can be found hiding in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens, under sinks or in cabinets, or near any puddles of standing water in the home.

On hot days, scorpions may enter your home to get out of the heat. They may also be drawn by the presence of flies and insects to feed on. Scorpions in may enter your home through cracks in the wall and gaps under doors.

Scorpions are nocturnal. During the daytime, you may find them hiding in shoes, closets, or folded laundry. You are more likely to see them at night when they come out from their hiding places to look for food.

Are scorpions dangerous?

Lesser brown scorpions do not produce the same deadly neurotoxins as other species of scorpion, so for most people, their stings are relatively harmless. If you are stung by one of these scorpions, you may experience pain at the puncture site, muscle tenderness, and possibly nausea.

Young children and the very elderly may be susceptible to more severe symptoms and complications, so it’s important to keep these more vulnerable populations away from scorpions.

How can I keep scorpions out of my home?

Seal cracks and partitions. Scorpions can get into houses through cracks in the foundation as well as other small openings in walls, windows, or doors. As much as possible, try to seal up these openings.
Clean areas of standing water. Since scorpions are attracted to water, any damp areas or puddles of water should be cleaned and dried as soon as possible. Be sure to fix any leaky pipes or faucets immediately. Dry the areas around sinks, bathtubs, and showers after every use.
Keep your house bug-free. Scorpions feed on insects. By removing their food source, you will discourage scorpions from entering your home and possibly encourage any existing scorpions to move on.
Remove debris and plant matter. Keep the area around your foundation free of weeds, sticks, rocks, and trash. These all provide ideal hiding places for scorpions and may encourage them to get too close to your home.
Plant lavender. Lavender can be a natural deterrent for scorpions. Plant it in patches or beds around the outside of your house. The fresh floral scent smells lovely and will keep scorpions out of your house.

How can Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions get rid of scorpions in my home?

Although lesser brown scorpions are usually harmless, the safest option for getting rid of them is to have them professionally removed. If you have scorpions in your Honolulu home, give Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions a call.

We will inspect your property, remove existing pests from your home, and work to prevent future infestations. We have over 20 years of experience serving residents of Oahu. Give us a call or fill out the form on this page to schedule a free consultation.