A unique challenge for Phoenix homeowners that most cities do not experience is the bark scorpion making itself at home in our suburbs. This deadly arachnid paradise was discovered in Arizona’s native desert, most specifically in areas with block wall fencing. Phoenix’s warm weather all year long and the number of places scorpions can hide (like between block walls) lead to a lot of scorpions being near houses.
Arizona sees more than 12,000 scorpion stings every year, most of them taking place in Maricopa County. For many residents, it is only too late that they realize that their backyard oasis also functions as scorpion real estate, and the problem is not going away unnoticed. Do consider consulting professionals at Green Mango Pest Control, who will provide you with tailor-made solutions for your property.
How Phoenix’s Block Wall Fences Create the Perfect Shelter
- Gaps and Crevices Provide Instant Housing
Countless small openings exist between the blocks and along the mortar lines of block walls throughout the suburbs of Phoenix. These spaces provide scorpions with the small, tight hiding spots they desire during the day.
- Temperature Control in Desert Heat
While daytime Phoenix temperatures routinely peak over 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months, the block walls create cool microclimates. The concrete absorbs daytime heat and slowly releases it at night, carrying ambient temperatures favorable to scorpions through the night.
- Protection From Predators and Weather
Natural birds and larger spiders prey on scorpions, while block walls protect scorpions. They also protect against the rare Phoenix dust storms and Valley monsoon rains.
- Easy Travel Routes Between Properties
Block walls visually allow a scorpion highway between yards. Suburban neighborhoods in particular are highly accessible to them as they can traverse the whole area along fence lines without ever touching the ground.
- Moisture Collection Points
Block wall bases are the perfect place for evening or morning dew or irrigation overspray to collect, providing the moisture necessary for scorpions to survive in Arizona’s desert climate.
Why Suburban Yards Offer Ideal Hunting Grounds for Scorpions
For hungry scorpions, Phoenix suburban yards are basically an all-you-can-eat buffet. Landscape lighting and regular irrigation make for prime conditions to attract the insects and other small arthropods that scorpions hunt. Phoenix areas with pool areas, garden beds, and outdoor lighting fixtures provide ideal environments for crickets, roaches, and other prey insects.
Phoenix suburbs are also known for lush landscaping, from citrus trees to decorative rock gardens, which offer hunting as well as alternative shelter. These environments are food-rich and straightforward for scorpions to exit the confinement of block walls and subsequently return to the undercover locations in walls before sunrise.
From Walls to Living Rooms: How to Keep Scorpions Out for Good
The best scorpion prevention method is a combination of sealing up entry points and professional monitoring and treatment. Check your block walls for any gaps and cracks, and fill them with appropriate caulking materials. Clear away piles of debris, cut back vegetation from the walls, and get rid of sources of standing water on and around your property.
But there are two reasons why DIY does not work: scorpions are indestructible, and they are experts at finding entry points that most homeowners overlook. The professionals at pest control companies know precisely how scorpions react to Phoenix’s desert temperament and suburban design. Green Mango Pest Control, for example, performs targeted treatments that not only eliminate scorpions already located on your property, but also the things that attract them. Their main task is to provide barrier treatments to the perimeter of block walls and other primary entry portals.