Striped Bark Scorpions: The Scorpion in San Antonio Homes
A tan scorpion with two dark stripes down its back, found in a bathtub, on a wall or in the attic, is almost certainly a striped bark scorpion. It's the only one of Texas's 18 scorpion species that lives statewide, and AgriLife says none of the state's scorpions are considered deadly, though the sting hurts and can swell for days. Keeping them out depends far more on sealing the house and clearing hiding spots than on spraying alone.
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Two stripes and a triangle: identifying it #
AgriLife's scorpion publication, E-362, gives a clear description of Centruroides vittatus:
- a yellowish-tan body
- two wide, dark stripes running the full length of the back
- a dark triangle on the front of the head, just above the eyes
- slim pincers and a long, thin tail
Size: E-362 says about 2 1/2 inches, while AgriLife's venomous animals bulletin says they seldom exceed 2 1/4 inches.
Under a blacklight: they glow a blue-green color under UV light, which makes a nighttime search much easier.
What it's not #
Two scorpion-like creatures cause plenty of confusion, and AgriLife notes neither is venomous:
- Pseudoscorpions are under 1/4 inch long and have no tail.
- Wind scorpions, also called sun spiders, aren't scorpions either.
Why are scorpions coming into the house? #
Striped bark scorpions don't dig burrows. By day they tuck under rocks, boards and debris, and at night they come out to hunt. They're also good climbers; E-362 notes they scale trees and walls and are often found in attics.
Heat is the main push indoors. E-362 explains that in hot weather scorpions leave stifling attics and move down into living areas. A 2023 Texas A&M report on heat and drought quotes AgriLife's Bexar County entomologist saying scorpions are after water and cooler conditions, and they slip in under doors or through small cracks. A 2018 AgriLife story made the same link between hot, dry summers and indoor scorpions.
Around the yard, common hiding places include:
- woodpiles and stacked firewood
- stored lumber and boards
- rocks, bricks and yard debris
- trash and clutter against the foundation
- tree branches that touch the roof, giving a route to the attic
Scorpion life at a glance #
| Fact | What AgriLife reports |
|---|---|
| Active | At night; hidden by day |
| Mating | Fall, spring or early summer |
| Pregnancy | About 8 months |
| Young per brood | 13 to 47, averaging 31 (E-362); about 25 (B-6118) |
| Life span | About 4 years (E-362); 3 to 5 years (AgriLife Today) |
What does a sting do? #
AgriLife's venomous animals bulletin describes the sting as sharp and immediate, with swelling that often lasts several days. E-362 says Texas scorpion stings cause only moderate reactions in most people, but the person stung should be watched closely, since allergic reactions can happen. E-362 also notes that even modest venom doses can be dangerous for young children and for adults allergic to the toxin.
A note for families with small children #
Most adults get through a striped bark scorpion sting with pain, swelling and a few uncomfortable days. AgriLife is more cautious about young children, and about anyone allergic to the venom, because their reactions can be far stronger. If a toddler is stung, call the Poison Center or a provider right away rather than waiting to see how it goes, and keep the child in sight for the next several hours. Sticky traps in rooms where scorpions have turned up will show whether visits are ongoing, which helps you decide when it's time for outside help.
About the scary headlines #
You may read that a "bark scorpion" sting can be life-threatening. That warning refers to the Arizona bark scorpion. According to the 2023 Texas A&M report, it's the only species with a fatal sting and it doesn't live in Texas.
First aid after a sting #
- Step away from the scorpion so no one is stung twice.
- Put an ice pack on the sting to ease pain. The CDC advises against plunging the area into ice water.
- Call a health care provider or the Texas Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for advice. The CDC also says not to give sedatives.
- Get medical care right away if pain or swelling persists, if breathing becomes difficult, or if hives appear. Watch small children especially closely.
Keeping scorpions out: a house-and-yard checklist #
E-362 is blunt that insecticides alone don't control scorpions well. The work starts with the house and yard.
In the yard
- Clear out trash, logs, boards, loose stones and bricks.
- Keep grass mowed short near the house.
- Trim branches that touch the roof.
- Set garbage cans up off the ground.
- Bring firewood indoors only when you're about to burn it.
On the house
- Weather-strip doors and windows, and keep screens in good repair.
- Fill weep holes with copper mesh, a nylon scrubbing pad or screen wire. Skip steel wool, which rusts.
- Seal gaps around eaves, pipes and other cracks.
Monitoring
- Walk the house and yard after dark with a UV flashlight, as the Texas A&M report suggests.
- Put sticky traps where you find scorpions to track activity.
- Note where each one turns up. A cluster near one door or bathroom can point to a gap worth sealing nearby, and that record helps a technician too.
Never pick up a scorpion or keep one as a pet.
When to bring in a professional #
AgriLife's advice is to close as many entry points as you can and not hesitate to call a professional. That makes sense when:
- you're finding scorpions indoors regularly
- they're turning up in the attic
- young children or someone with allergies lives in the home
- sealing and cleanup haven't been enough
The same rocks, logs and boards can shelter other biters; see our guides to the giant redheaded centipede and spiders.
How Pest Trappers handles striped bark scorpions #
Our technician inspects the places scorpions use: the foundation line, weep holes, door sweeps, the attic, woodpiles and debris around the yard, and branches near the roof. You'll get a clear list of the entry points and hiding spots we find, along with treatment options. Any product used is applied exactly as its label directs.
Pest Trappers LLC (TPCL #0887549) is family-owned and serves residential and commercial properties. Pricing is quoted after the inspection. Se habla español.
Local pages: Helotes, San Antonio, Boerne and Leon Springs and The Dominion.