Whenever you hear of a scorpion, it may conjure up images of the Sahara Desert. Believe it or not, there are actually between three and five different species of scorpions in Oklahoma! In this article we will discuss some of the attributes of Oklahoma’s common Bark Scorpion.
Did I just see a Scorpion?
Bark Scorpions can be found in various locations such as: woodpiles, closets, beds, garages, cellars, attics, under rocks, sheds, and near ponds. It is common to see these little guys in the OKC metro area, so we will list some of their attributes.
- Appearance – Bark Scorpions are actually smaller that most other scorpions at approximately 1-2 inches long. They have a long, slender body with four pairs of legs and two narrow pincer-like arms. Their tail will typically curl over them with a poison gland and stinger at the end of it.
- Diet – Scorpions are actually nocturnal creatures, and will consume insects, bugs, spiders and other scorpions too.
- Their Stinger – Most people have seen “that movie” where someone gets stung by multiple scorpions, and the results weren’t’ pretty. Still, a sting from a bark scorpion isn’t something to mess around with. Their stings can produce severe pain, numbness, frothing at the mouth, difficultly breathing, respiratory paralysis, and even convulsions. In this day and age, death is rare, as anti venom is available in severe cases. Some people can even experience life-threatening effects from the venom, much like how certain individuals experience similar allergic reactions to a bee sting.
Having a scorpion problem can be a real pain (no pun intended). Contact The Bug Guy for scorpions or any other pest control problems here in the OKC area!