7 Scorpion Myths

The movie 3,000 Miles to Graceland opens with two scorpions stinging each other in some kind of fight-to-the-death. No one ever understood what that scorpion scene had to do with the movie itself. It actually set the stage for a movie in which viewers spent a lot of time asking, “Why?”

The movie also perpetuated one of many factless scorpion myths.

Why Do We Have Scorpion Myths?

We have scorpion myths because we struggle to explain things we don’t understand. Plus, scorpions are scary-looking.

Here are 7 scorpion myths debunked:

1. Baby scorpions are more deadly – Scorpion venom isn’t stronger in baby scorpions. “Venom is venom,” says Banner Health. Of all the scorpion myths, this one might come closer to making sense because bark scorpions are smaller.
2. Ice packs relieve pain – Ice packs cause “rebound symptoms.” They reduce the pain, but when you take them off the pain returns with greater intensity than before. A cool compress is more effective on scorpion stings.
3. Scorpion stings always leave a mark – Bee stings always leave a mark. Sometimes it’s hard to find evidence of a scorpion sting. Even medical personnel often have difficulty locating the exact site of the tiny puncture wound.
4. Scorpion stings are fatal – We have about 50 types of scorpions in Arizona and only one has the possibility of causing a fatality. The Arizona bark scorpion is dangerous to infants and the elderly; most adults can manage bark scorpion stings at home.
5. Scorpions are aggressive – Scorpions hide to avoid predators and humans. They only attack when they feel threatened.
6. Scorpions bite – Scorpions don’t have teeth.
7. Take an antihistamine immediately – One of the pervading scorpion myths is that they always produce an allergic reaction. They seldom produce an allergic reaction and antihistamines aren’t that beneficial in reducing the neurotoxic effects of scorpion stings.

7 scorpion facts:

1. People who live in glass houses don’t have scorpions – Scorpion “legs” are tiny pincers that grip rough surfaces. Scorpions cannot climb glass or smooth metal.
2. Scorpion sting symptoms can last about 3 days – Many scorpion sting patients don’t exhibit symptoms after 6 hours but they often persist for 48-72 hours.
3. Scorpions are slackers – They have among the lowest metabolic rates in the world and can survive about a year without food.
4. Scorpions aren’t “out to get you” – They respond when provoked, and believe you sticking your foot into your own shoe is provocation.
5. Scorpions glow in the dark – There’s a hyaline layer in their exoskeleton that reflects ultraviolet light wavelengths.
6. Scorpions have up to a dozen eyes – Their eyesight enables them to better navigate.
7. We have an antivenom – If a bark scorpion’s sting is life-threatening, an antivenom is available and usually used in pediatric cases. Most adult bark scorpion stings are not severe.

A Fact: Budget Brothers Scorpion Repel® Stops Scorpions

There are things you can do to reduce the risk of a scorpion sting:

• Keep grass closely mowed
• Prune-back bushes, overhanging tree branches
• Shake clothes and shoes before putting them on
• Wear gloves when working in the yard
• Wear shoes, especially at night

Here in Arizona, the most common of all scorpion myths is that we have to live with them. Now, we don’t.

There’s only one thing you can do to prevent scorpions, and that’s to contact Budget Brothers Termite & Pest Elimination. We have Budget Brothers Scorpion Repel, a revolutionary way to keep scorpions out of your home.