Arizona Wood Scorpion

The Wood Scorpion, otherwise known as the Arizona Devil Scorpion or Stripe Tailed Scorpion, is home to Arizona and parts of New Mexico and California. Officially known as Paravaejovis spinigerus, it grows to about 2-3 inches, and usually tan to dark brown in color with darker stripes across its back. They have a slightly stockier build than their Bark Scorpion counterparts, with thicker appendages and tails.

Their primary habitat is along the desert floors and hillsides of the Sonoran desert, often found under rocks. Like other scorpions, Wood Scorpions seek out moisture and stable food sources, hibernating during the day and going out at night to hunt and mate.

Wood Scorpions can find their way into Arizona homes through small openings or crevices in search for shelter or prey. You’d be surprised by the tiny amount of space necessary for a scorpion to squeeze into interior spaces.

The Wood Scorpion typically feeds on insects like crickets, beetles and roaches, as well as other scorpions. Hunting at night, they typically ambush their prey and subdue them with their stinger, using their pincers to crush and corral their meal.

Wood Scorpion Self-Defense Stings

While Wood Scorpions use their stinger to hunt prey, they also use it for self-defense. This can result in humans being stung. They are venomous, however it is not as potent as the Bark Scorpion. It will be painful to humans like a bee sting, but not considered dangerous unless there is an allergic reaction. In the case of an allergic reaction, seek out emergency medical treatment immediately.

Although not the most common scorpion found in Arizona homes, Wood Scorpions can and will find their way indoors. If you find signs of an infestation, don’t panic. Simply contact a knowledgeable pest control company like Bug Guardian to help eliminate your scorpion problems.