This may be the year of the scorpion. They seem to be popping up everywhere around Central Oregon – bedrooms, kitchens, garages, backyards, woodpiles and gardens. The concerned mother who found one in her children’s bedroom and brought it to me to identify is typical of how most people react when they encounter scorpions and spiders: innate fear that it will harm them or their family.
It’s interesting that the emotionally charged mom, who was scared to death of the scorpion, drove to my house rapidly in her car. I cannot find any record of anyone being killed directly by a scorpion in Oregon, yet hundreds die in motor-vehicle crashes annually.
To make everyone feel better and relax somewhat (those who are curious and those who are scared to death), the most abundant scorpion found throughout Central Oregon is the harmless northern scorpion, Paruroctonus boreus, a relative of the innocuous mordant scorpion.
“Harmless” means that under normal situations, the venom (not “poison”) administered by this scorpion is less painful (viral) than a bee sting and will not cause any problems to a healthy child, adult or senior citizen. If any venom is injected, it will first be scary, and then may sting a little and perhaps turn red at the site of the injury.
Scorpions do not “bite” to administer their venom. Although they do have formidable-looking “jaws” (pincers, actually, which they use to hold their prey), it is the telson on the end of their “tail” that administers venom to enemies and prey.
Now, there is a little greenish scorpion, centruroides, found in parts of the Southwest and Texas that can give you a bad day if it stings you. It does not live in the Northwest, and if it turns up, it is purely by accident, having been hauled here by someone. The best advice I can think of to prevent injury from this scorpion is stay away from Texas.
(Besides, I’ve always thought that the best place to be in Texas is smack-dab-in-the-middle. That way – no matter which way you’re movin’ – you’re leavin’.)
For anyone who is more curious than fearful of scorpions, the rule of thumb is: “The bigger the pincers, the less menacing the venom.” Those with powerful venom do not need large pincers to catch prey or ward off enemies, they just smack them with their powerful toxin – the enemy runs off to die, or to the doctor’s office or a meal is on the plate.
For those who want to know what scorpions they have in their domicile, they can be scientifically “keyed out” by the shape of the breastplate and the number of spurs between the last two abdominal segments. There are more than 70 species common to North America, and 1,500 to 2,000 known worldwide, which should keep one busy for a few days.
If you look at Ordovician fossils of the huge segmented eurypterids, you will note a similarity to today’s scorpions. Further along in the fossil record (of the Pennsylvanian Period) you will find an arachnid that resembles both eurypterid and scorpion, suggesting that the scorpion design has been on our good Earth for at least 400 million years, which means they are considerably older than I am, and I’m ancient.
It is the fact that scorpions kill and eat spiders – as well as compete with them for food and space – that should be good news to people who are fearful of spiders. There may even be a point where non-lethal scorpions keep very lethal black widows out of one’s home.
Most scorpions are nocturnal, have two eyes in the center of the cephalothorax (head and thorax combined) and between two and five eyes on each side, but some are blind, like the cave dwellers. Females give birth to living young that resemble tiny adults and they ride on the back of the female until they molt for the first time. Then the young become solitary and catch their own prey, (like the ones the Stringer family and I found under a carpet out near Brothers the other day).
In ancient times, the scorpion’s sting was feared almost as much as the lion’s bite and that of vipers, which may be why some people go bananas when they see one today. So revered was the scorpion that it was given a place in the zodiac.
Why are so many scorpion scares taking place around town? It may be there was a bumper crop a few years back and we’re seeing the “surplus” wandering around looking for unoccupied territory. Or it may be that time of year when males are out wandering around looking for unattached females – unlike homo- sapiens who can be found doing that any time of the year.
Whatever the reasons behind this sudden surge of scorpions, it sure prevents boredom. Oh! The big guy pictured above? They live way out in the Owhyee country, and this is the time of year they are best seen running around, usually at night, right after thunderstorms, perhaps also looking for unattached females.
This article appears in Sep 30 – Oct 6, 2010.
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I live in Prineville, Oregon and have recently found at two different times scorpions on my bathroom walls. Last year, I almost stepped on one on the floor of my bathroom. I’m glad to hear that the species in the area aren’t very dangerous. My grandson loves to hunt lizards when he comes to visit and I’d hate for him to get a sting from one that is very dangerous. I thought about getting him some leather gloves to wear when he hunts. Next time I find one, I will try to squelch my fear enough to get a photo…before I do the deed to it.
Last night I walked out of a shop on the E end of Prineville – looked down and there was a scorpion… I now have it in a plastic container inside the shop. Have been trying to identify it. Glad to learn I’m not the only one who has found one in this town
I live in Tumalo. Found one in garage this morning. Found one crawling down our hallway last week. Ugh…
I was sitting at my desk here in Mosier and had one down next to my foot that my dog had brought to my attention. How the hell did that thing get in here? Most of all, don’t tell my wife!
Hi, feel like Steve. How did that get here. Tumalo, bathroom floor, 5am this morning, 2 inches tip to tip, tail up next to my bare foot. Now more at ease after reading this article and comments.
I found one under my beadspread crawling on my sheets last night – scared the crap out of me –
screamed like a girl (well – I am a girl). Got my husband to kill the thing. Could NOT sleep in
that bed last night. Feel so much better after reading your article – might even be able to sleep in my bed again. Thanks!
I found one in my dining room, I first thought it was a earth worm that my dog brought into the house, so I picked it up to throw it out and notice it was a scorpion and I freaked out! Called the exterminator. Now I’m wondering if there’s more? I’m cleaning and clearing every crevis of my house. South East Bend.
Found one in my daughter’s bedroom yesterday. We are on the east side of Hood River County.
Found 2 in the breezeway 8/26/15
Posted by jw 8/29/15
I live in Grants Pass and this morning my dog was nose to nose with one on the living room rug! I had picked up the dog beds to vacuum and it must have been underneath…. scared the crap out of me! Smashed it into oblivion with my foot- glad it didn’t sting her… good to know they aren’t all that dangerous here, I always thought of them as being total bad news.
I was camping last night at north fork 3 pools by Lyons Oregon and sitting in my tent saw something crawling towards me by the camp fire light. So I got flashlight and wtf… Asked my Boyfriend is that a scorpion. And sure enough it was so we caught it. Never have I seen a scorpion in wild in these parts. I looked for more but didn’t see any.
Live in Tumalo, like Scorpio Freaker and WH…found in bathroom 12:30 am…Thank you Jesus I didn’t go to the bathroom and step on it in the middle of the night. It’s now in plastic container…and hopefully dead by morning!!
I live in sisters, I was climbing at eagle rock. I went to move a rock and was stung on the ring finger so glad to hear they arnt serious!!
I’ve been finding them in my house and garage for years, always around this time of year. I live South of Glide, right beside a creek.
I read that they love crickets and I find them, too. Most of the ones I find are dead or nearly so. Maybe because I have indoor cats. I even found one in a glass ceiling light cover. I also read that chickens help to control them outdoors. A chicken ‘adopted’ us last fall so I’ll see if I see a reduced number this year.
This is just great!!
Found one in my bathroom yesterday. I am in The Dalles Oregon. He scared my daughter half to death just hanging out on the bathroom wall. He is now named Stan and has a very cozy set up in a 10 gallon tank in my living room. He is a happy addition to my zoo.
I live near Klamath Falls and we’ve had 3 in the last couple of weeks, all in the house. Maybe they come in on my husband after he’s been out working on the wood pile? Told him to start stripping down in the garage.
I found one today in sink of all places. Someone said they come from septic! Is that true?
I live outside Jacksonville Or. My wife let me know she saw one in the kitchen which I got rid of. I have a question does anybody know which one’s are more venomous the red or black ??? Thanks
I live in Newberg, OR and tonight my husband discovered one in our house, being batted at by our two cats. We both freaked out. HOW DID IT GET HERE? We went to the Pine Mountain Observatory near Bend last weekend but only for an evening and didn’t camp. We surmise it must have hitched a ride home on or in our car. While that gives me the willies, these comments make me feel much better and made me laugh!
I live in Bend Oregon on awbrey Butte I found one last week in my kitchen.
Freeked me out I screamed and stepped on it luckily I had boots on
My husband and my adult son came running in and my son picked up the injured scorpion with paper towels and put it in the toilet
I’m still freeked out I’m glad to see that they aren’t that dangerous I’m hoping I will calm down in a few days
We live in Eagle Crest and I was steaming my new curtains when I spotted a scorpion near the top. I screamed for my husband to come save me. Wish we had a video of him capturing and killing it. Im still freaked out! How did it get in our house?
Yuck! Not my first choice of a word but it’s close.
I’m in the very far east of Bend. I saw one in a shed 3 or 4 months ago but it was way way far from the house and I’m not okay with killing things that are minding their own business. However, tonight, I was sitting on the floor in my living room and a big one, at least 3 feet long, well 3 inches long, just marched up right next to my dog and me. It is NOT okay for them to be in my house! I noticed that my other dog has been reluctant to sleep on his bed, which is right where the monster came from. He was bitten or stung by something several months ago. It swelled up to about the size of a marshmallow and he was woozy and lethargic for several hours. Perked right up after we got done going to the after hours vet, (who was of no help) but now I wonder if it could have been a scorpion sting? He’s around 70 pounds, so not a dinky dog. The article didn’t specifically say if their sting is harmful to animals. Any one have any experience with an actual sting? Is there apt to be a scorpion “nest”? How do I get rid of any and all of them that might be in my house? The scorpion is in a jar in the freezer and I threw the dogs bed outside. Yuckity Yuck Yuck Yuck!
we have had plenty of scorpions around our house in buttefalls I catch them a lot. we have had one in our bathroom they can crawl threw tiny cracks so it isn’t to difficult for them to get in your house. but don’t worry they don’t like to sting unless you poke at them or grab them. I did get stung once when trying to catch a lizard and accidently grabbed it. It didn’t hurt bad and didn’t swell barely at all. Got the lizard though. don’t worry about scorpions getting in your house just put them in a container and put them outside near a rotting stump or log. thanks
We live in Redmond. My daughter and I found a small one in our sun-room, I’ve never heard my daughter scream so loud. We are grateful we found this website, as I explained to my 8 year: the more we know the less we fear. After reading this article we have decided to put it outside and not kill it. We trapped it in a tupperware and we plan to take it far far far away from our house to let it go, I can only hope it doesn’t find its way back!
We are in Terrebonne. My boyfriend has killed 2 small tan scorpions in the last 2 evenings in our bedroom and kitchen, and a shed skin in the closet. We where very concerned considering we have his 9 year old daughter running around barefoot and his dog who plays with crawling things. Thank goodness we came across this article. Peace of mind for sure. Now we feel guilty for condemning them to death. We are a household of arachnophobics, so we will be resisting the urge to squash our little spider eating friends.