Pets Versus Scorpions: Protect Your Pets

Living in Arizona is quite different from living in most other places in America. It’s very hot, extremely dry, and crawling with alien-like insects. One of these that seems to not only be in the desert but also makes its way into our homes is the scorpion. More than annoying, scorpions are dangerous to certain family members, namely the four-legged, furry kind. When it comes to a showdown of pets versus scorpions, you want Fido and Fluffy to win. So let’s provide some suggestions on how to do that, shall we?

Scorpions Are Pests, not Food

In Finding Nemo, the sharks are always reminding each other that fish are friends, not food. While scorpions are far from friends, they’re certainly not food. Imagine the pain as they make their way down the esophagus!

There are some household pets that will eat just about anything, and they’ll chase whatever moves. Scorpions are not toys and certainly not edible (maybe in certain cultures, but we digress). If you have a pet that likes to eat random bugs, keep an eye on those furry friends. If you live next to a desert area—which have higher incidences of scorpions—schedule regular pest control and don’t let your pets roam free in the desert.

In the game of pets versus scorpions, keeping your pets from thinking scorpions are food will score them big points.

Let Your Little Light Shine

When out for a nighttime hike (or walking dogs in the desert in the dark), protect your pooch by carrying a black light. Scorpions shine bright as daylight under a little black light. You’ll see the desert come alive and know exactly where you should avoid stepping. Of course, black lights don’t illuminate cacti quite as well, so be sure you’re on the lookout for those prickly guys too.

You can pick up an inexpensive pocket flashlight that shines black at your local hardware store. Put it with your key and poop bags so you remember to grab everything as you leave the house. Score another point for the dogs in the pets versus scorpions game.

When the Scorpions Win

Even with smart precautions, it’s possible your pet could still suffer from a scorpion sting. After all, when it’s pets versus scorpions in the wild, there are bound to be some issues. It’s important to know what kind of scorpion stung your pet and what your next steps should be.

The bark scorpion is the most predominant type of scorpion in Arizona. Score one for these nasty pests in the pets versus scorpions battle—mostly because of their poison level. Thankfully, although they are poisonous, they usually just present an issue of pain rather than anything worse.

If your pet does manage to get stung by a scorpion, it will hurt about as much as a bee sting does. The pet will likely be in pain, and keeping it calm may prove to be challenging. Apply ice if possible. Avoid activity for 24 hours or so, at which point the pet should be back to normal.

It’s time for a trip to the vet if your pet exhibits paralysis, difficulty breathing, or drooling. These are signs that the poison may be too much for your furry friend, and it needs medical attention.

Avoid a Pets Versus Scorpions Battle

While a walk in the desert may be a potential battleground for your pets and scorpions, your home doesn’t have to be. If you have seen a scorpion in your home, that’s one too many.

Call Budget Brothers, your one-stop pest-control shop. We’ll visit your home and determine if you have a problem. Then we’ll implement solutions to keep you and all of your family safe.

After all, in a pets versus scorpions match, Budget Brothers always wants to be the victor with a KO!