Why You Notice More Scorpions in Late Summer and Fall in Phoenix

Cooler evenings? You should spend them enjoying your patio or yard, not checking the ground for scorpions first. That said, if you’re still seeing them around your Phoenix home this fall, they may still be active for one reason: a warmer-than-average season with active fronts that are causing low temperatures into the 50s and highs in the 70s. 

These comfortable but variable temperatures might make you think you’d see fewer scorpions around your property. After all, cooler weather should mean fewer pests, right?

Unfortunately, that’s not really the case. Arizona scorpions don’t suddenly leave or die off when the summer is coming to a close. In fact, you may continue spotting them around your patio, garage, or even inside your home well into fall. 

On top of that, Arizona’s warm evenings can keep scorpions active long after summer officially ends, while changing weather conditions can influence where they look for shelter. If your yard or home has damp areas and food is abundant, you may be living in the next hot spot for scorpions.

Here’s more on why scorpions can remain noticeable during fall and what you can do to keep them from getting into your home or infesting your yard.

Why Am I Still Seeing Scorpions in the Fall?

In Phoenix, September and October don’t always feel much like fall. Daytime temperatures can remain high, and evenings may still be warm enough for scorpions to hunt.

Arizona bark scorpions remain active through much of the year in low-desert areas. They’re especially active on warm nights, and their activity generally decreases as the colder months set in. It doesn’t always stop, though.

What that means is that there’s no official end to scorpion season. A warm October evening can still bring scorpions out of hiding, which can be a surprise to unsuspecting pets, children, family, and friends.

Changing Weather Can Affect Where Scorpions Hide

Scorpions spend much of the day sheltering themselves from the sun in Phoenix. If you come across them, they might be hiding in cracks along block walls, under landscaping rocks, in damp laundry piles, or in shaded areas around your property.

Late-summer monsoon storms are also known to disturb their usual hiding places. Heavy rainfall or flooding can force these pests into drier areas, and landscaping projects and construction can also cause them to scatter.

Keep an eye on dropping temperatures. As nighttime temperatures become cooler later in the fall, scorpions generally become less active outdoors. However, heated or warm spaces, such as greenhouses or garages, can still be prime hiding spots for scorpions.

Your Yard Might Be Feeding the Scorpions

Scorpions are predators, and where there’s food, they’ll stick around.

Scorpions eat crickets, cockroaches, small snails, earthworms, and spiders. If these pests are thriving around your home, scorpions may be hunting nearby.

Think about your outdoor lighting, for example. Lights can attract insects, creating hunting opportunities for predators around patios and entryways. Scorpions may also rest in sheltered areas during the day before coming out to hunt at night.

That’s why keeping pest activity in check matters. Our Phoenix pest control services help manage common household pests, including many of the insects scorpions feed on, so you can rest easy at home.

Common Scorpion Hiding Places in Phoenix

You don’t have to live next to open desert to encounter scorpions; Phoenix-area neighborhoods have plenty of places for them to hide.

To check your property, start with these locations:

• Block walls: Hollow concrete blocks can provide shelter to scorpions. Look for cracks and wall openings that can provide protected spaces for Arizona bark scorpions.
• Landscape rocks: Decorative rock arrangements and loose stones can create sheltered areas where scorpions shelter during the daytime.
• Woodpiles and yard debris: Stacked materials give scorpions undisturbed places to hide.
• Garages and storage areas: Boxes, stored equipment, furniture, and clutter can provide cover for a scorpion that has made its way inside.
• Patios and exterior walls: Scorpions may shelter around these areas or travel along them while hunting, increasing the chance you’ll come across them.

When you look for scorpions, be careful when moving anything that has been sitting outside for a while. Wear sturdy gloves and closed-toe shoes, and avoid reaching into spaces you can’t see.

You might also want to try this trick: Get yourself a UV flashlight. Scorpions glow under ultraviolet light, making them easier to spot. Keep the light away from your eyes, and don’t try to handle any scorpions you find. 

We’re here to help you get them off your property. If you’d like a professional to take a look, Moxie’s scorpion control services in Phoenix focus on where scorpions shelter and the openings they may use to enter your home, clearing them out so you can enjoy your environment without unwelcome arachnids.

Watch Out for Potential Signs of Termites

Termites deserve extra attention after Arizona’s monsoon season.

Summer is a reproductive period for termites, and winged termites typically swarm during monsoon season. Seeing winged insects around your property doesn’t automatically mean you have an active termite infestation inside your home. In fact, ants also swarm, and distinguishing between the two isn’t always easy.

You can watch for changes, though. Keep an eye out for groups of winged insects, discarded wings, sawdust-looking material in piles, or unfamiliar mud-like material around the foundation and other parts of the house.

If something looks suspicious, a professional termite inspection can determine whether termites are present and what action, if any, is appropriate to take next.

Monitor for Indoor Pests

After monsoon season, you may notice ants, roaches, termites, or other pests showing up in places where you don’t usually see them. One insect doesn’t necessarily mean you have a major infestation, but it’s still a good idea to look for patterns.

You should ask questions such as:

• Are you seeing the same pest every night?
• Is activity concentrated around the kitchen, bathroom, or another part of the house?
• Are you finding insects in several rooms?
• Are you seeing signs of active pest infestations, such as lines of ants or sawdust-like material piling on the floor?

Monitoring where and when you see activity can give you useful information about the kinds of pests you might be dealing with and if the issue is a one-time or ongoing problem. If pest activity keeps returning despite cleanup and prevention efforts, it’s usually time to call one of our helpful pest professionals.

What Do You Do If You Find a Scorpion Inside?

One scorpion sighting doesn’t necessarily mean you have a large scorpion population living inside your home. It does mean, however, that a scorpion found its way in. It’s worth checking for additional activity.

For a quick once-over, start by inspecting the surrounding area for gaps or damaged seals. Take shoes outside and shake them out, and be cautious when handling clothing left on the floor.

To be extra cautious, avoid walking barefoot if you’ve recently spotted scorpions inside your home. Arizona bark scorpions can cause medically significant stings, particularly for young children or small pets. If someone is stung, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance, and seek emergency care for severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing.

When to Bring in Moxie Pest Control

Clearing debris, sealing accessible gaps, maintaining a tidy home, and reducing other pest activity are good places to start making your home less appealing to scorpions. However, seeing multiple scorpions can be a sign of an infestation, and that deserves attention.

Your attentive Field Expert understands what you’re dealing with and what Arizona homeowners face year-round. We can inspect your property, identify likely sheltering areas, determine if there are an unusual number of pests or scorpions on your property, and recommend treatment options based on what we find.

A Little Peace of Mind Goes a Long Way

Fall in Phoenix should mean enjoying cooler evenings, not wondering where scorpions might be hiding around your home. A few thoughtful steps, like clearing debris, checking entry points, and monitoring pest activity, can make your property less inviting to scorpions. 

If you’re still seeing them, you don’t have to sort it out alone. Moxie’s friendly experts are here to listen, take a closer look, and help you find the right next step for your home.

Have questions about scorpions around your home? Talk with our Phoenix team.