Striped Bark Scorpions control in San Antonio & the Hill Country
The Texas scorpion that turns up in bathtubs and shoes. Most common on rocky, wooded lots in Boerne, Helotes, Fair Oaks Ranch, and Leon Springs.
01 · How to identify it
Striped Bark Scorpions
Centruroides vittatus
- Common name
- Striped bark scorpion
- Scientific name
- Centruroides vittatus
- Size
- About 2 to 2.75 in long
- Color
- Tan to yellow with two dark stripes down the back
- Behavior
- Active at night; climbs walls and can enter through small gaps
- Local season
- Most active late spring through early fall; moves indoors in heat and after heavy rain
02 · Signs
What will you notice?
- Scorpions in tubs, sinks, or shoes
- Night sightings on walls or ceilings
- Shed skins in garages
- Activity near rock borders, woodpiles, and stone walls
03 · Risk
Risk to home and health
- Painful sting with local burning and swelling
- Stronger reactions in small children, older adults, and allergic people
- Repeat sightings mean a breeding population nearby
04 · What to do
What do I do about striped bark scorpions?
- 01Shake out shoes and towels before use.
- 02Pull beds a few inches from the wall and keep bedding off the floor.
- 03Move firewood, rock piles, and debris away from the house.
- 04Seal gaps under doors and around plumbing.
- You see more than one scorpion a month inside.
- Someone in the home is stung.
- You have young children or pets and want a perimeter plan.
“On the limestone lots out toward Boerne and Fair Oaks Ranch, scorpions live in the rock itself. Treating the yard won't solve it. We seal the house, treat where they shelter, and use a blacklight at night to see what's really out there. If you find one in the tub, it climbed in. It can't climb back out of slick porcelain.”
Robert C. LeBlanc
Entomologist · Custom Pest Control05 · Treatment
How we treat it
We do not apply the same product on every baseboard. The treatment follows the species and the evidence, which means fewer products inside your home and better results.
- 01 · Inspect
- 02 · Identify species
- 03 · Written plan
- 04 · Treat
- 05 · Follow-up
06 · Questions
What people ask us.
Are Texas scorpions dangerous?+
Striped bark scorpion stings are painful but rarely dangerous for healthy adults. Seek medical care for children, allergic reactions, or severe symptoms.
Why do I see more after rain?+
Heavy rain floods their shelters, so they move to higher, drier ground, which is often your house.
Can you get rid of them completely?+
On rocky Hill Country lots, the goal is keeping them out of the house. Sealing plus targeted treatment cuts indoor sightings dramatically.
Do blacklights really work?+
Yes. Scorpions glow under UV light, which makes night inspections much more accurate.
