How to Repel Scorpions Naturally (Get Rid of Them Permanently)

So, you want to learn how to repel scorpions and get rid of them from your household for good.

These arthropods will come out at night to actively hunt for their prey.

You may see them crawling across your bathroom tiles, kitchen baseboards, or even in your dirty clothing on the carpet!

Many people are afraid of them (thanks to horror movies), and they absolutely freak out when you see one at midnight.

The majority of them don’t have enough venom to kill a human (their sting is similar to a wasp or bee sting).

But even then, I’m pretty sure you don’t enjoy seeing them foraging around your house, garden, or even when you camp.

In this guide, we’ll talk about:

  • What attracts scorpions to your home
  • Ways to naturally repel and get rid of them
  • Common techniques to stop scorpion entry permanently
  • And more

This guide is detailed, so bookmark it for easy reference later. You can also post a comment if you have any questions and I’ll try to help you out ASAP.

Sound good? Let’s dive in.

Appearance and identification

A scorpion ready to jump on a target.
A scorpion in defensive position, ready to pounce on its threat.

Everyone knows the stereotypical scorpion!

It’s that arachnid that you see in horror movies that stalk their prey and pounce on them with their giant, piercing tails.

They have 8 legs and a segmented tail that curls upward behind them like a dog- albeit, not as cute.

Their bodies are elongated with a hard exterior shell that makes them invulnerable to many predators.

Over 2000 species exist across the globe and several hundred live right here in the southern US. They’re found on every continent except Antarctica.

These predatory arachnids are easily identified with their grasping pedipalps (claws) and long, curved tail.

They range from 2.5” up to 10” in length and are anything but a nightmare.

However, even with so many species identified, only about 30 will produce enough venom to kill a human being.

But that doesn’t mean you should be complacent and careless about letting them roam your property.

These invertebrates can climb, jump, and even dig. They can swim and even come up from the toilet!

To the untrained homeowner, seeing one crawl across your bathroom late at night will surely produce some shrieks.

Lifecycle

Female bark scorpion with babies.
A female bark scorpion carrying its nymphs.

Scorpions go through their first molt after birth only about 14 days following.

The nymphs are tiny versions of the adults and will climb on the female’s back and stick there until their first molt. After the molt completes, they climb off and flee.

During this portion of their life cycle, the young will hide, eat, and rest on their own. The adults don’t care for their young.

They continue to feed and molt and repeat the cycle.

Common types of scorpions

There are a few types of scorpions that are common all over the US and found in homes.

Some of the most prevalent species are:

  • Bark scorpion
  • Devil’s scorpion (stripe tailed)
  • Striped bark scorpion (very common in homes)
  • Baja California bark scorpion
  • Giant hairy scorpion
  • Arizona striped tail scorpion
  • Yellow ground scorpion
  • Texas cave scorpion (rare)

Are they dangerous?

Yes, scorpions are dangerous and will attack when threatened or provoked.

Some scorpions are even sold in the pet trade, but this doesn’t mean they’re safe. They can produce dangerous or fatal results, especially to sensitive individuals or children.

NEVER handle a scorpion without proper equipment and ALWAYS consult a professional if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Some scorpions will produce venom and these can have devastating results. Since the common person has no idea how to tell the various poisonous and non-poisonous species apart, they should always be avoided when possible.

A licensed professional can assist in ridding them from your property. The majority aren’t poisonous enough to kill an adult human, but you should never assume.

There are some pretty poisonous species in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and California that stalk the deserts and may find their way to nearby campsites, pine forests, deciduous forests, rain forests, savannahs, grasslands, caves, and even properties!

Where are they found?

Scorpions typically nestle alone around rocks, wood, bark, debris, small caves, soil, holes, or other clutter.

They can make their way into homes through windows, doors, plumbing, cracks and crevices, and other poorly sealed structures.

Some may hide in the yard within cardboard, lumber, firewood, or other debris that clutter the property.

Why do I have scorpions in my home?

Scorpion caught in the bathroom.
Scorpions are quite common in desert areas and will seek moisture and shelter in property.

Scorpions are attracted to food, water, and shelter, similar to any other arthropod.

Their main necessity is water though and this leads them to many misadventures inside people’s homes.

This is also why you commonly see them in your bathroom, basement, kitchen, and other humid areas. They enter through minuscule cracks and crevices and seek out a place to hide and take shelter while fulfilling their critical need for hydration.

At night, they come out to hunt prey. Most homeowners living in scorpion infested states like Texas and Arizona hardly see small infestations.

But eventually, they may flip on the lights at night just to see scorpions crawling across their carpet or tile. Creepy!

Scorpions are attracted to homes mainly because of the water. They come in through drains, outlets, inlets, gutters, and the plumbing system.

This is especially true during the hot summer days when they need to hydrate themselves.

Your home is nice and cool with plenty of water to go around. So they’re naturally attracted to coming inside your property.

As bad as horror movies make them seem, the majority of scorpions in the United States aren’t poisonous.

This doesn’t mean ALL aren’t venomous. And even without poison, they’ll still be happy to sting any threat when provoked.

Knowing this, you should contact a licensed pest exterminator to get rid of them if you don’t know what you’re doing or don’t have the proper equipment to protect yourself.

Why do I keep finding scorpions in my bathroom?

Your bathroom provides a perfect area for them to hide and take shelter from predators.

It also has plenty of water and moisture for them to soak up. So it’s the best of both worlds.

Scorpions often hide in areas such as the following:

  • Cabinets
  • Drawers
  • Under-sink cabinets
  • Baseboard gaps
  • Cracks and crevices in the foundation
  • Tile damage
  • Holes
  • Medicine cabinets
  • Under appliances
  • Closets
  • Laundry hampers
  • Folded clothes
  • Towels
  • Blankets
  • Shoes
  • Beds

Your bathroom provides a place for them to hide during the daylight hours and plenty of water from spillage from the shower and sink.

So they’re happy to hide out in your bathroom.

There’s enough humidity to keep them hydrated and enough crawl spaces to hide.

Why do scorpions like beds?

Scorpions natively gravitate to material that they can hide in.

Beds provide plenty of hiding places because of all the clutter under the frame.

Many people store junk and debris there, so they have somewhere that’s undisturbed for them to rest.

The bedding also provides a soft and warm place for them to nestle since they don’t regulate their body temperatures and rely on absorbing heat from the sun and ambient air.

If you don’t want a scorpion to crawl into your bed while you sleep, you should keep your sheets, clothes, blankets, towels, and everything fabric off the ground all the time.

They can climb up your sheets and right into your bed if you provide them a means to do so.

Can scorpions jump at you?

Scorpions can do a lot more than jump. They’re also capable of climbing fabrics, walls, and other rough surfaces.

They can also move in water and “swim” to some degree.

And they can jump to attack their prey. If you’re afraid of them, they’re a real nightmare to deal with.

Do scorpions travel in packs?

Bark scorpions travel in packs.
A bark scorpion may team up with others during the winter.

Most scorpions are solitary arthropods, meaning they travel, hunt, and nest by themselves.

They only need a companion for mating. But some species, such as the bark scorpion travels in packs of up to 30 members.

Bark scorpions pair up with their kind in the winter when they gather up and travel together.

But the majority will remain alone for nearly their entire lifecycle and prefer it that way. This is positive news for those that don’t have to deal with bark scorpions- as one scorpion infestation doesn’t always mean more.

Do scorpions have nests?

In the wild, scorpions are usually hiding in debris, wood, under rocks, or small caves.

They may also dig up holes and hide in tall grasses.

Scorpions are solitary creatures for the most part and won’t nest in a specific area for an extended period.

However, you can find temporary shelter where they may be hiding by going around your home with a UV light.

Provided that they’re solitary and don’t usually nest with other companions, they don’t really establish a permanent nesting place.

Does one scorpion mean more?

If you find one scorpion, it usually means your home is a suitable place for them to nest, forage, and thrive.

It may mean that there are more of them hiding around because think about it: if one scorpion approves of your home, chances are others will also.

If you find bark scorpions in your home, they tend to travel in packs especially during the winter.

So there may be more of them. This is a loaded question because it depends on the species and your home’s conditions.

What time of day are scorpions most active?

A nighttime sky attracts nocturnal scorpions out.
Scorpions are nocturnal, so they’ll hunt and forage in your home at night.

Scorpions are most active during the night. They’re nocturnal arthropods.

They hide during the day and rest.

During the winter, they may come out and forage or move to a different area, but this is rare unless the temperatures rise above 80F.

n the summertime, you may see them daily as they’re extremely active from the summer heat. They come out as soon as dusk and will search and actively hunt for food.

This is usually between July to August, but some states may see them as early as March to as late as October.

What to do if you see a scorpion in your house?

If you know what you’re doing and have the proper tools and equipment to protect yourself, you should catch and release it.

Put on your protective gear and use a long pair of tongs to pick it up and place it into a secure container.

Drive to the local desert or forest and release it if allowed by local regulations.

Avoid killing it when possible because they’re an important part of the ecosystem.

But if you can’t stand going near it to pick it up, keep a bottle of dish soap and water mixture nearby.

It’ll kill them in a few minutes if you spritz them enough. Hairspray, brake cleaner, and even WD40 may work.

Can I flush a scorpion down the toilet?

Well, you can.

But scorpions can do just fine underwater for up to 48 hours. So if your toilet doesn’t flush well, it may find itself crawling back up with a vengeance.

I don’t suggest using the toilet to get rid of scorpions as it can lead to a backed-up mess.

Use the catch and release method if you have proper PPE and know what you’re doing or else consult a professional exterminator.

How to repel scorpions naturally without chemicals or compounds

Here are some natural ways to get rid of scorpions and deter them from your home without the use of dangerous sprays or poisons.

I suggest trying a few different techniques at the same time to see what works, rather than just using one or two for efficiency’s sake.

Whatever works for you, scale it up. It may take a few tries to find the working method. Something that repels scorpions for another homeowner may not work for you. And vice versa.

And as always, exercise extreme caution. Never handle a scorpion directly.

Wear proper PPE when applying any of these methods. Use common sense.

When in doubt, contact a licensed pest control agent for assistance.

Scorpions can be hiding in the smallest cracks and attack unsuspectingly, so you need to be alert and wear the proper equipment at all times.

Do NOT underestimate the ability of these pests. Although they’re tiny, these arthropods can pack a punch!

How to get rid of scorpions naturally

A dangerous scorpion ready to attack.
Thankfully, you find many of these types near human civilization.

Here are some ways to naturally repel and deter these arthropods from invading your home.

You should try a few of these DIY remedies to see what works for you, depending on how many scorpions you have and your level of comfort in dealing with them.

Something that works for someone else may not work for you, and vice versa.

It’s important to experiment to see what does.

Once you find it, you’ll have the key to ward off scorpions from your property permanently!

Remember to always use proper PPE and common sense to protect yourself.

When in doubt, contact a professional exterminator.

Let’s dive in and see how to keep them away for good. If you have any questions, post a comment and let me know.

The best solution: Make your property unfavorable to scorpions

Firewood burning to repel scorpions.
Storing firewood properly, removing clutter, and patching up your home are best.

Keeping your home well maintained, tidy, and clutter-free helps more than anything else in deterring scorpions from creeping onto your property.

A clean garden will make the environment unfavorable to them, which will then become attractive and give them less of a reason to take shelter in it.

Remember that scorpions are susceptible to water loss and dehydration which will eventually kill them.

If you can keep your garden free of water, moisture, and humidity, that already makes it hostile to them and they’ll naturally slink away.

Combine that with getting rid of all the clutter and hiding places will make your garden scorpion proof.

Well, at least less attractive to them than your neighbor’s.

Here are some actions you can take to drive them out of your property:

Keep plants and bushes away from your home

You’ll want to remove any foliage that comes into contact with your foundation or exterior walls.

These plants offer a “bridge” for scorpions to climb into your home through the window or various cracks and crevices.

They can squeeze through openings as small as 0.25″ in diameter , so they don’t need a lot of space to enter your property

Prune your plants

Keeping your plants pruned and tidy will discourage scorpions seeking bugs to eat or taking shelter in the foliage.

Regularly go through your garden and trim plants that are overgrown or remove them entirely if you don’t need them.

Keep them short, tidy, and clean to make it unappealing to them.

Mow your lawn

Clean yard to eradicate crane flies.
A clean yard proves to be less attractive to pests.

As obvious as it sounds, keeping your lawn mowed will help reduce not just scorpions, but also sowbugs, mosquitoes, skinks, and copperhead snakes from coming into your garden.

If you don’t have time to mow it, consider hiring a gardener, or just replacing it with artificial grass.

Clean up plant clippings

Pick up any grass, stems, or leaves that are lying around.

These can provide adequate coverage for smaller scorpions to take shelter from the sun.

They also contribute to adding moisture by trapping the humidity under the foliage, which scorpions may seek out.

This will also help tidy up your yard and keep other bugs out that are moisture-loving.

Remove clutter

This should be a priority for you.

Get rid of ALL clutter that’s in your yard. This includes storage, lumber, patio furniture, or other junk that’s just lying around.

These will attract more than just scorpions to your garden because they offer plenty of hiding places for insects like spiders, silverfish, cockroaches, and more.

When insects live inside clutter, it attracts more insects that eat them.

Scorpions will actively hunt at night after the sun has set for these bugs that hide in the clutter scattered about your yard.

Get rid of everything you don’t need. Some common things you can get rid of are:

  • Yard decorations
  • Fake rocks
  • Decorative rocks
  • Planters
  • Saucers
  • Debris
  • BBQs
  • Small pools
  • Storage racks
  • Lawn equipment
  • Cardboard
  • Storage bins
  • Trash receptacles
  • Compost bins
  • Brush

Toss it all into the trash or recyclables. Host a garage sale.

Everything that you don’t need, you’ll have to toss it out. Everything that you do need, store in a plastic bin with a secure lid.

Yard clutter does more than just host pests. It also collects rainwater which can lead to mosquitoes, lizards, mice, and scorpions.

Stock wood safely

Woodpile with pests.
You can stop pests from living in your woodpile by keeping it clean.

Piles of wood are havens for food. Scorpions will seek out small bugs hiding in the cracks between the lumber and consume them at night.

If you have wood outdoors, store it right by keeping it elevated, properly covered, and protected from pests.

Dispose of any wood you don’t need or bring it inside.

Of course, do your due diligence and check the wood first for bugs before you smuggle them inside. This also applies to new or used furnishings from the store.

You’ll quickly find out that properly secured wood storage suddenly decreases the bug population in your yard. Wood is a magnet for bugs and pests.

Block off access

Scorpions come in through small cracks and crevices in your home’s foundation, exterior walls, crawl spaces, and more.

Caulk, seal, replace, or repair damaged entry points that are likely candidates for these buggers. Start from one area and move to the next.

Thoroughly check for areas where scorpions may use to enter your home.

Here are some common places to seal:

  • Foundational damage
  • Drains
  • Fittings around plumbing
  • Walls
  • Vents
  • Voids
  • Crawl spaces
  • Basements
  • Garages
  • Ceiling fixtures
  • Dryer vents
  • Electrical outlet
  • Holes in the walls, patio doors, or door gaps
  • HVAC units
  • Damaged weatherstripping around windows and doors

Some good areas to start:

  • Seal up your home completely to the outside
  • Use mesh wire to block off small exits and entryways
  • Ensure your windows and doors are completely sealed with weatherstripping
  • Elevate your trash and compost bins to keep them off the ground
  • Do basic care for your garden and keep everything clean and tidy

This will do wonders for making it less favorable for them to stay in.

Do this for the prevention of scorpions AND other bugs.

You’ll find that a well-maintained property blocks out the most prevalent pests like pesky roaches, house spiders, and even crickets!

Note that scorpions can climb walls and ceiling fixtures, so don’t forget to seal up the second and third stories of your home.

Use bleach

Bleach can kill scorpions, but you’ll have a hard time getting them to ingest it. Instead, try pouring it down the drain if you suspect that they’re coming up from it.

You can use just a cup or so and pour it down to help repel them from getting in through your plumbing.

Scorpions will avoid bleach due to its alkaline properties which deter them.

Although bleach is far from a “natural” DIY home remedy, most people already have a bottle lying around.

It’s the easy way to get rid of scorpions coming up from the drains.

Remove water sources

Remove water to get rid of scorpions.
Don’t overwater your plants and ensure clean gutters.

Get rid of any available water. Scorpions need water to survive.

If they go without water for 12 months, they’ll perish. You can make your home a lot less favorable to them by removing any water sources.

Although some species can go without food or water for a year, the majority will need some hydration quickly if it’s hot outside.

This is also why you often find them in the bathroom, kitchen, or other humid areas of the home.

Scan our home for leaking faucets, drains, or even water spills from people using the sink. Get rid of pet water dishes at night or cover them.

Wipe up any loose spills before you switch off the lights for bedtime. This will make your home inhospitable for them and they’ll naturally go away on their own.

If you still see activity, they may be getting water from other sources that you’re unaware of.

You may need to hire a professional to come to inspect your home for potential leaks around the property.

Attract spiders

Spiders can help destroy baby scorpions that get caught in their webs.

Leave spiders alone if you see any on your property. If you’re out in the desert where insects and invertebrates are amok, you can let spiders help do the dirty work.

They can be your ally to get rid of the scorpions. Some of the best spiders for catching them are camel spiders, tarantulas, and other larger breeds found in the wild.

Spray peppermint oil

Peppermint oil can be an excellent repellent for scorpions.

They don’t particularly like the smell of strong, aromatic herbs like peppermint.

So you can use this to your benefit by diluting some pure peppermint oil with water and then spraying it around areas that they’re using to enter your home.

You can also spray it around bathrooms and kitchens, or other humid areas that they frequent.

Scorpions won’t go anywhere near it and you can safely and naturally repel them through the use of this oil.

There are many recipes online, but generally, a few teaspoons in a liter of water should do the trick. Reapply as needed.

Note that oils may damage some surfaces, so test it on a small portion first.

Try cinnamon

Cinnamon can be used as a natural scorpion repellent.

This spicy smelling works by stimulating the senses of the scorpion negatively. They have very sensitive smell receptors which are irritated by the scent of cinnamon.

The powder may also get into their 10 eyes, which will further keep them out of your house.

You can use the ground powder form of cinnamon, cinnamon sticks, or even cinnamon spray (the one you spray on pinecones).

Use it around areas where you see frequent scorpions crawling around. The powerful aroma of cinnamon is enough to repel them naturally and keep them out for small areas.

Use citrus

Citrus oils can be sprayed around areas that scorpions use to enter your house.

You can also spray throughout the interior, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

The scent of citrus can be captured in essential oils (orange, lemon, lime, etc.) and sprayed accordingly.

You can buy pure oil online and dilute it with water and then pour the mixture into a spray bottle for an all-natural scorpion repellent.

Here’s a simple recipe:

Raise chickens

Chickens are scorpion eaters.
Chickens eat everything.

Chickens can help control bug problems by eating them.

They’re the best pest control worker that works for you 24/7 and gives you free eggs.

Get a pair of backyard chickens and let them forage for worms, caterpillars, pillbugs, grasshoppers, and every other annoying bug every single day.

They’ll eat anything they can fit between the beaks.

Or get a cat

Cats will hunt and kill scorpions, but a lot of people don’t want to subject their cats to hunt them down because of the potential threat of a scorpion fighting back.

If you’re afraid of your cat getting hurt, don’t put your cat in danger.

Some scorpions are extremely dangerous and can inject venom into your pets, so you need to be careful.

If you’re in the US, the majority of them are not moderately dangerous, so if your cat or dog ever hunts one down, there’s a low chance of any repercussion.

When in doubt, consult your vet.

For those that WANT to encourage scorpion hunting from their dog or cat, you should never force your pet to do so.

This should only be up to the animal to do so. Most pet owners only find a dead scorpion AFTER their cat killed it.

Relocate them manually

For those that have experience in hunting down scorpions, you can always catch and release them.

Wear proper PPE and use a pair of sturdy tongs to pick them up and catch them.

Use a UV light (blacklight or UV flashlight) to go night hunting. Scorpions light up at night because of their fluorescent shells and will appear as a bluish glowing crawler.

Wear protective gear (including gloves, boots, pants, etc.) and pick them up with the tongs and transport them in a locking container.

You can release them into the local desert, grasslands, or forest.

Note that scorpions are a natural part of the ecosystem and important for controlling pests. Avoid killing them when possible.

Make a burlap trap

You can make a DIY scorpion trap by using a wet burlap sack. Just get a nice big piece of square burlap and wet the thing.

Lie the sack flat in areas where you see scorpions crawling around (or suspect them to be). The scorpion will crawl into the sack to soak up all the moisture and likely stay in there.

Wake up early the next day, put on your PPE, and check the bag’s interior for the scorpion(s). It may also be hiding underneath the burlap, so be ready to catch it. They also can cling to the fabric, so you want to make sure you check the entire thing.

Do NOT attempt this if you don’t know what you’re doing. Consult a professional for assistance if you ever trap one and don’t know how to relocate it.

Set up multiple burlap traps on your property for best effect.

You can repeat this until you catch all the lone scorpions and relocate them all.

Does garlic keep scorpions away?

Yes, garlic is an effective repellent and will help keep them away IF they come up close enough.

Garlic will stink up a room that’s small and enclosed, but otherwise, it’s pretty useless. You can cut up garlic into cloves and put the pieces around your home where they’re present.

If a scorpion comes up to one, it may steer clear and turn around.

Lavender

Lavender is suggested as one of the only plants that can keep scorpions away.

I couldn’t find any solid proof that this works, but there are a few articles online that state lavender is one the few that work

If you have easy access to this plant, you may as well try it. Lavender will keep OTHER bugs away even if it doesn’t work on scorpions.

You can use it as a spray from the essential oil or plant it around your home.

Cedar

Cedar chips repel scropions.
Cedar chips can help repel scorpions from your home.

Cedar oil can also help shield against scorpions.

You can buy pure cedar oil from online stores, apothecaries, or herbal stores. the oil can be diluted with water or a carrier oil that’s inert.

Spray it along entry points like doorways, baseboards, garages, basements, your yard, and the perimeter of your home’s foundation.

Cedarwood also is reported to work. There are also cedar chips you can buy and sprinkle around your garden for a natural scorpion deterrent.

Cedar is a powerful oil, so use as directed.

Does vinegar deter scorpions?

The strong, pungent odor of sour vinegar is said to repel scorpions.

You can spray it undiluted in areas that they frequent to naturally repel them. Vinegar can also be used as a cleaning agent for your bathroom or kitchen. It leaves behind a lingering residue which helps deter them after you clean.

A few drops of vinegar is all it takes.

You can use pure vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even malt vinegar if you have it. This is one of the safest and purest ways to set up some kind of home defense against those critters.

Of course, vinegar will wear off over time. You’ll need to reapply as needed.

The scent can be tested by rubbing your finger on the cleaned surface and taking a whiff.

If you still smell the vinegar, any scorpions nearby can smell it too because of the powerful aromatic receptors.

Do mothballs keep scorpions away?

Mothballs can help repel scorpions, but only when placed strategically in the right areas.

They release toxic fumes over time, so they work best in enclosed, tight spaces. If you just toss them out in the open, they don’t work because the fumes flow away in the air.

But if you have crawl spaces, voids, or foundational cracks, mothball inserts can be an effective remedy to keep scorpions away.

You can also use powdered mothballs to sprinkle down the drain on a weekly schedule to keep them out of your plumbing.

Note that mothballs release fumes that are dangerous to humans.

Don’t use them in the home where you’ll be spending time and wear proper equipment when you unleash all the toxic fumes out of tight spaces. Air circulation is a necessity.

Use as directed.

DIY remedies that kill scorpions

Bark scorpion found in the garden.
A bark scorpion found in the wild.

If you absolutely need to kill that pesky scorpion, my advice is don’t.

Always try to catch and release when possible, unless you don’t have the means to protect yourself.

In that case, contact a professional exterminator.

But if you have had it to your wit’s end and absolutely must kill them, here are some home remedies that you can use to eliminate them organically or naturally.

Just like the previous techniques, some may work for you and others won’t.

Diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth DIY pest repellent.
Diatomaceous earth is an awesome pest killer and repellent.

Diatomaceous earth is a natural and organic powder that’s often consumed for dietary purposes.

There’s also a pool-grade DE that’s used for pool cleaning, but you should avoid this one to keep things natural and safe.

Diatomaceous earth works by sticking to the hard exoskeleton of the scorpion as it crawls over it.

The powder is very fine and crystalline which pierces the hard shell and bleeds out the insect. The scorpion loses water over time and other precious fluids.

And we all know that they need a good source of water for sustenance, so it’ll eventually kill it. You can buy DE online or at select retailers.

Get the organic DE that’s made as a supplement for humans.

Avoid contact with pets and others who may ingest it in large quantities. Use as directed.

Sprinkle it is a fine line around your home’s baseboards, carpet, tiles, kitchen, basement, garage, bathrooms, outside perimeter, garden, and anywhere else you see scorpion activity.

You can sprinkle a barrier of diatomaceous earth around your home’s foundation so that any scorpion that comes into your home must come into contact with it.

Boric acid

Boric acid and borax work the same as diatomaceous earth for scorpion control.

This stuff will stick to the shell and eventually drain it by dehydrating it. Use it in the same manner as DE, but be more cautious.

Boric acid can be dangerous to pets and people if used incorrectly, so read the directions and warnings. Use it around areas that are prone to scorpions and this powder will eventually get rid of them over time

The best part about boric acid is that you can see if a scorpion crawled over it because it’ll disturb the powder.

So you can use it similar to a “scorpion monitor” to see activity the next day after a night of them roaming around your home.

Use hairspray

Hairspray will kill scorpions, spiders, cockroaches, and other hard-shelled pests upon contact.

The hairspray contains a sticky residue that covers up the pores on the scorpion which blocks them from being able to exchange the air and breathe correctly.

This will make them run away and die in a few seconds.

Hairspray is cheap and you can buy a big can for a few bucks anywhere.

Spray soapy water

Soapy bubbles - DIY scorpion killer.
Soapy water kills scorpions by blocking their pores.

Soapy water is probably the safest and cheapest way to kill scorpions reliably.

Mix water and a few drops of soap (dish detergent, liquid soap, body wash, etc.) and make it bubble.

Then pour it into a spray bottle. The next time you see a scorpion, spray it down with soap water until it dies.

The soap blocks their pores so they suffocate. This is a quick and effective DIY scorpion killer you can make at home with things you already have lying around.

Brake cleaner

This is also another chemical that kills hard-shelled insects upon contact by suffocating them.

Of course, it’s not exactly safe to go spraying around the home. But if you have scorpions in the garage and you happen to have a bottle of brake cleaner handy, you can spray it down to kill it instantly.

Be safe when spraying it.

Does salt kill scorpions?

Yes and no.

Some people state that they use a salt gun (Bug-A-Salt) and shoot at hard-shelled insects like scorpions and it kills them. Others say it doesn’t.

If you have excess salt and surfaces that aren’t susceptible to salt damage, why not sprinkle some and give it a try?

According to posts like these, salt kills scorpions but only with a huge amount. This isn’t practical for most people.

Will WD-40 kill scorpions?

WD-40 is an aerosol that’s used to lubricate surfaces. I’ve heard people say it works, but I haven’t tested it myself.

There are reports online from people who spray scorpions with this lubricant and states it kills them upon contact

If you need to kill a wandering scorpion and you have a bottle lying around, it can make for a DIY scorpion killer.

But don’t expect it to work 100% of the time because there are just as many reports claiming it’s a myth.

What are natural predators of  scorpions?

A centipede is a natural scorpion predator.
Centipedes, birds, rodents, and more all eat scorpions as a tasty meal.

Scorpions have plenty of natural predators that will gobble them up without hesitation.

If you have any of the following species around your home, consider finding out how to attract more of them so they can help control, manage, and eradicate the scorpion population around your home.

Some predators of scorpions are:

If you live in Texas, South Carolina, new Mexico, or Arizona, all of which are scorpion rich states, you may consider leaving some of these other predators around to eat them.

How to repel scorpions when camping

Scorpion proof tent.
Campsites attract scorpions because they’re an oasis in the desert.

When you’re out and about at your campsite, the last thing you want to see are scorpions roaming around your cozy tent.

Snakes, scorpions, rodents, and other wildlife roam the area while all you want to do is roast some smores.

You can use a combination of the various techniques on this page to keep them away naturally and have a scorpion free campsite.

Consider doing the following:

  • Spray essential oils around your campsite
  • Have a bottle of hairspray or soapy water handy
  • Wear protective boots, gloves, and clothing
  • Seal your tent completely where possible
  • Use plenty of lighting to keep them away
  • Place lavender oil around your sleeping area
  • Set up a bug catcher
  • Consider using sticky traps under your tent
  • Keep your campsite clean and free of debris
  • Set up your camp in an open area
  • Check the tent before you climb in
  • Check your tent for holes and damage
  • Keep water sealed and out of reach at all times
  • Use chemical repellents around your camp

These tips should help minimize scorpion activity when you just want to enjoy a bonfire night.

What do scorpions hate the most?

Scorpions hate scent-based repellents because of their strong odor receptors.

If you have anything that spicy or pungent or highly aromatic, you can use it to repel them.

Lavender, peppermint, cinnamon, cedar, mothballs, and other strong-smelling oils and powders can help keep them away from your home.

Some oils can be diluted with just a few drops of oil and a liter of water to create a powerful and effective DIY scorpion repellent that they hate

Use it around your home in areas that they frequent or using to get inside your property

Spray, sprinkle or apply these deterrents on baseboards, doorways, windowsills, crevices, cracks, foundational damage, and the perimeter of your household.

How to get rid of scorpions permanently

Arizona bark scorpion.
A bark scorpion found in Arizona.

With the tips listed here, you should be able to make your home a lot less favorable to them.

Use a combination of the different DIY home remedies outlined above for a scorpion free house.

Start with indoor methods like essential oils, burlap traps, diatomaceous earth, or boric acid, and then move outwards.

Then do the same for the outdoors- clean it up, remove junk and debris, set up traps and repellents, and remove all sources of hydrating water.

Seal up all entryways and fix up your home’s exterior if it’s in a state of disrepair. The combination of outdoor and indoor methodologies should be enough to repel and keep scorpions out of your house permanently.

If you have a lot of them, you’ll see their numbers drop off quickly at first, then start to trickle down as the last few remaining ones leave your house.

Getting rid of scorpions for good is a great feeling. No need to freak out when you flip on the lights in the bathroom at midnight.

Further reading

Here are some additional references you may find helpful:

Did you get rid of them around your home?

Scorpion glowing under a UV light.
These buggers are an important part of any ecosystem- as frightening as they are.

By now, you should have a solid foundation of knowledge to repel and deter scorpions from your home (or campsite) naturally.

Scorpions are pretty creepy for the squeamish, but the majority in the US aren’t venomous. They’re not difficult to drive away.

Be patient and persistent and you’ll have a scorpion-free home.

And if you can’t handle it, hire a professional to help you out.

Did you find these tips helpful? Do you have any to suggest to other readers?

If so, drop a comment below.

Or if you found this page helpful (or not), let me know as well. I’m always looking to improve upon reader feedback.

Please consider sharing this guide with fellow neighbors who may be dealing with the same problem!

Thanks for reading.

 

8 thoughts on “How to Repel Scorpions Naturally (Get Rid of Them Permanently)”

  1. Excellent article -Extremely informative yet easy to understand …. The depth and detail of your knowledge is fascinating

  2. We just found a few scorpions in our home in Costa Rica, originally being from Canada this was a little bit of a shock, as it’s something we’re definitely not used too!
    Your information was amazing and we’re going to quickly apply all of these methods so we don’t have scares like this hopefully again!

  3. Great article but would like any easy list of products that can be used for printing purposes like the camping section. And the toilet information freaked me out as a new resident in Arizona but good to know.

  4. Susan Wilkins

    Great information. Son with young family just called with scorpion problem. He had been bitten several weeks ago AND now several rooms have them. (He has 2 young children and this is a new home location for the Family.) He was on way to home Depot and asked me to research. I called him and told him some of your suggestions and shared the entire article with him as well. Thank you.

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