Last night when I went to brush my teeth I discovered a scorpion in the wash basin. The bug was about one inch long, stinger erect, a brown contrast to the white porcelain. I had the simultaneous emotions of bewilderment “What on earth is it doing there?” and alarm “They’re HERE!”. The nearest available bludgeon was a can of mousse. I squashed the bastard into a homogenous beige blog. Its stinger kept moving for a second or two. It was rather unsettling.
Since 2005 we have nearly a dozen house scorpions. A few were dead, but the others were very much alive. I sense they come up through the drains, which is a disquieting thought. I’ve been told if you go outside at night with a black light you can find them en masse. I have no intent to try this. When it comes to scorpions it is “Don’t ask don’t tell”.
The scorpion was a sobering reminder we live in the desert. We’ve had crickets, black widow spiders, rattlesnakes, coyotes, and a javelina. Amazingly the thing that shakes me most (tarantulas) I have not encountered, thanks be to G-d.
While I worry mankind is driving things to extinction, Mother Nature seems to be doing a swell job avenging herself by keeping the nasties alive and thriving.
15 comments
September 25, 2012 at 9:33 AM
jefferyrn
I am more frightened by the fact that you had a can of mousse!
September 25, 2012 at 10:16 AM
William Fregosi
You may never have been stung by a scorpion (I certainly hope not!) but do you know how dangerous it’s supposed to be, how painful, etc.?
September 25, 2012 at 10:37 AM
Urspo
I am fairly certain I stepped on one once upon a time; it hurt like the billy-o.
________________________________
September 25, 2012 at 10:19 AM
aunt barb
I think Tim & Meg miss the scorpions least after leaving Phoenix
September 25, 2012 at 10:28 AM
anne marie in philly
ewwwww ewwwww ewwwww!
September 25, 2012 at 10:41 AM
Jay
Never planning on visiting my nephew in Arizona now.. I hate even the idea of the things you mentioned..
September 25, 2012 at 1:09 PM
Cameron
SPIDER: I don’t think humans like us very much.
SCORPION: I know — one killed my brother just last night.
SPIDER: They don’t seem to realize that we were here first.
SCORPION: Yeah…Nature is getting back at us for keeping these big lugs alive. They’re ruining the planet!
September 25, 2012 at 2:07 PM
Mitchell Block
Sorry, sweetheart, but I would have moved a long time ago!
One time at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, a keeper was walking around with a scorpion in a covered terrarium. I asked how dangerous the sting was. She said, “Oh, it’s nothing really. No worse than a bee sting.” That was enough for me. I’ve been to the ER twice for bee stings!
The Great Lake States (except for very southwestern Illinois) and New England don’t have any scorpions, you know. Go back! Go back!
September 25, 2012 at 3:38 PM
jason
yikes! I feel that much better about our little roach problem now, so thanks for that much
September 25, 2012 at 8:54 PM
truthspew
Around here it’s the flies, both the normal variety and the fruit flies. I know how to deal with fruit flies – just leave a little red wine in a bottle. The fruit flies fly in, and then proceed to drink until they drown in it.
But crickets – had a minor infestation of the bastards. And moths – dear god lots of moths this year. I chalk it up to us not having a winter last year.
September 25, 2012 at 10:01 PM
Erik Rubright
You could always install blacklights in your house to see if there are any scorpions. Granted, the bedroom might glow for other reasons…. 😉
September 26, 2012 at 4:50 AM
tigerchanter
I will take snow over scorpions any day of the week!
September 26, 2012 at 10:04 AM
zeph
A mousse bit my seester 0nce…
I understand they eat scorpions in some places.
September 26, 2012 at 10:52 AM
Urspo
A mouse bite is something terrible.
________________________________
September 26, 2012 at 1:48 PM
Laurent
In China they are a treat for kids, fried scorpions on a stick available from street food vendors in Beijing. Kids love them. How about introducing them in your neighbourhood.