Up To 4,000 Scorpion Stings Are Reported In And Around Phoenix Every Year, And Some Arizona Residents Are More Likely To Sustain A Sting Than Others
Thirty scorpion species can be found in Arizona, and more species may have yet to be discovered within the state. This may be a bold statement, as one would think that all scorpions within Arizona have certainly been discovered by now. However, a new species, Vaejovis crumpi, was discovered in Prescott in 2011, and much of Arizona is uninhabited desert, making the existance of additional undocumented species a distinct possibility in the state. It is comforting to know that all potentially dangerous scorpion species in Arizona have likely been found, as a few scorpion species already inflict medically significant stings to thousands of Arizona residents annually. Surprisingly, between 3,000 and 4,000 scorpion stings occur annually within the Phoenix metropolitan area alone. Researchers have noted that scorpion stings are not evenly distributed across metropolitan areas in Arizona, making residents of Phoenix more likely to sustain scorpion stings than others.
The desert hairy scorpion, the devil scorpion and the bark scorpion are the three most commonly encountered scorpion species within Arizona. While the desert hairy scorpion may be the most intimidating species to look at given their 5 to 6 inch body length, this species is not considered medically significant, but the much smaller 3 inch bark scorpion can inflict potentially deadly stings. The risk of falling victim to a scorpion sting is remote within urbanized locations found where concrete sidewalks, buildings and business are abundant, but unsurprisingly, the risk of sustaining a scorpion stings is much greater in suburban regions. This makes most apartment dwellers relatively safe from scorpion stings, but the residents living within single family homes located near open and undeveloped landscapes are at the greatest risk of sustaining a scorpion sting in Arizona. Unlike apartments and townhouses, single family homes are isolated structures. Homes in these regions are also far more likely than others to become infested with scorpions. Residents living in these areas should be mindful of scorpions on their lawn during the night hours, as all scorpions are nocturnal.
Have you ever found scorpions near your home?
