Thanks to unseasonably warm temperatures this past March, Arizona’s scorpion season kicked off earlier than normal, and April marked the start of their peak activity. As sightings increase as we head into summer, it’s more crucial than ever to protect your home and keep scorpions out of your home.
Scorpions can slip into homes through surprisingly small openings, from gaps in doors and windows to cracks in your roof or home’s foundation. Once they’re inside, they’re not easy to remove. That’s why proactive home maintenance is your best defense.
I built my home and roofing service company HomeLyfe around helping Arizona homeowners protect their properties year-round. If you want to avoid a run-in with a scorpion this season, here are four must-do home maintenance tips to keep them out.
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Seal Every Crack and Gap
Scorpions can be as tiny as 12 millimeters long or even about the thickness of a credit card, which means even the smallest openings can invite the critters in. It’s essential to inspect the interior of your home and seal any cracks in window frames, baseboards, door thresholds and any openings exposing the home’s foundation. Use products like weather stripping, caulk or expanding foam to close the gaps you find, and don’t forget to look at neglected spots in the home like garage doors, dryer vents, utility connections and plumbing access points.
Keep Gutters Clean and Clear
Moisture and insects are the two top things scorpions want to be around, and they can find it in clogged gutters. Debris like leaves and dirt can trap water, which attracts bugs and creates a hiding spot for scorpions. It’s suggested to clean your gutters at least twice a year, but it’s important to consider extra cleaning ahead of Arizona’s extreme weather like monsoons and dust storms. Gutter maintenance also prevents water damage, so it’s a win-win for both your roof and scorpion prevention.
Inspect Your Attic and Ventilation
Attics can invite scorpions in with their dark and undisturbed spaces where scorpions can create their habitats, especially during the scorching summer months. Vents without proper screening leave a direct path for scorpions to enter your home, and attic insulation and storage boxes can act as the ideal shelter. Once they’re in the attic, scorpions can travel to other parts of your home. Ensure that you regularly check your attic and vents and that proper vent covers are installed. Sealing gaps and decluttering the attic can also help prevent scorpions from infiltrating, making your home a safer environment.
Get a Professional Roof Inspection
Scorpions are surprisingly good climbers and can scale trees, walls and even gutters to access the roof, and roof damages like loose shingles, cracked tiles or poorly sealed chimneys offer another entry point. Regular roof inspections by a licensed roofer can help identify vulnerabilities and repair issues before they become bigger problems. With a well-kept roof, it will not only help prevent future weather damage but also keep scorpions and other critters out by sealing off openings. Leaks create moisture that attracts scorpions, so repairing helps prevent your roof from becoming a shelter for these pests.
Tackling these four areas can help create a solid line of defense against scorpions and provide peace of mind knowing your home is better protected. As the sightings continue to rise, now is the time to take action and ensure your home is in the best condition for scorpion prevention.
Author: Tim Orscheln is the founder and CEO of the equity maintenance and roofing service HomeLyfe. Through the property and real estate industry, Orscheln found a passion for helping others with their most valuable asset: their home. Orscheln created HomeLyfe as a tool to assist homeowners in protecting their property and offering the best quality products and affordable services. For more information, visit https://www.homelyfe.net/.
