Most Phoenix homeowners know the basics of scorpion prevention: seal cracks, shake out shoes, don’t leave wood piles against the house. That information is accurate but incomplete. After inspecting hundreds of Phoenix homes for scorpion activity, here are the eight things homeowners consistently overlook.
1. Weatherstripping Gaps at the Base of Doors
Bark scorpions can flatten their bodies to fit through a gap roughly the thickness of a credit card. Standard door sweeps often leave gaps at the corners and edges. We check every exterior door during an inspection. Replace worn sweeps and add door corner seals if you find gaps.
2. The Gap Between Stucco and the Weep Screed
The weep screed is the metal flashing at the base of your stucco wall that allows moisture to drain out. The gap above it is a common entry point — and it often goes around the entire perimeter of the home. Sealing this gap with appropriate caulk is one of the most effective things you can do.
3. Garage Door Seals
Garage doors almost always leave gaps at the corners and sides. Standard bottom seals help but don’t address the side gaps. Check yours by standing inside with the lights off — light coming through the sides means scorpions can get in too.
4. Pipe Chases and Conduit Penetrations
Every location where a pipe, wire, or conduit enters your home from outside is a potential entry point. These are often sealed when the home is built and then the seal degrades. HVAC lines, water supply lines at the slab, and electrical conduit at the meter base are the most common ones.
5. Palms and Ornamental Plants Against the House
Bark scorpions love palm fronds. If you have ornamental palms with fronds touching or close to the house, you’re creating a bridge. Trim fronds back and keep them away from the structure.
6. Cardboard and Stored Items in Garages
Cardboard is a harborage area for the crickets and other insects scorpions feed on. A garage full of cardboard boxes is a food court. Use plastic bins with lids instead.
7. The Attic
Bark scorpions are excellent climbers and regularly enter attics from roof-level access points. From the attic, they can enter living spaces through recessed light fixtures, ceiling fan gaps, and attic access hatches. This is how scorpions end up in second-floor bedrooms in homes that seem otherwise well-sealed at ground level.
8. Irrigation Valve Boxes
Those plastic boxes in your landscaping that house irrigation valve manifolds are dark, moist, and often full of insects. Check under the lid — you’ll frequently find scorpions inside. Treat the interior with a residual product approved for enclosed spaces.
What Actually Works for Control
Exclusion (sealing entry points) is the most durable solution. Residual perimeter treatment keeps scorpions that live nearby from successfully entering. Black-light inspections (scorpions fluoresce under UV light) are the most effective way to find scorpions that are already inside.
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