Carolina Lifestyle

Scorpions of the Carolinas

So you’ve moved to South Carolina and just can’t get over the size of the bugs.  I’ve been exposed to them since 1989 and still was not prepared for this week’s event.   I had the opportunity of providing home watch services to a property that has been vacant for approximately six months.  The wasps had taken over the screened in porch…it looked like the scene out of a bad movie.  The ladybugs were having way too much fun in the house and the spiders were scaring the cleaning crew.  It was time to take action.  I made a call to the owner and a call to our pest control specialists and had the insects terminated the next day.  Traps were set under all the sinks and in the basement.  I was thinking ants, spiders, the occasional cricket but when I returned to review the property three days later here is what I found!  YIKES!!

Have you hired a Pest Control Company to manage the large variety of insects that enjoy your living space as much as you do? 

Scorpion in Pest Control Trap

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 Below is an article I found that gives more detail on what to expect from contact with a scorpion native to South Carolina.

     The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control referred a 38-year old Lexington County woman to the Agromedicine Program. Several hours earlier a scorpion stung the back of her hand while she was gardening.  Her hand was now swollen and painful. She was very apprehensive because she did not know that there were scorpions in South Carolina and she believed that all scorpions were “deadly.”

     The stings of scorpions native to South Carolina are not deadly. Native species include the southern devil (Vejouvis carolinanus) and the striped scorpion (Centruroides vittatus). Scorpions found in the southwest US and in Mexico can be deadly.  Vacationers to these areas from the southern states should not mistake the benign nature of the southern scorpions for these more deadly species.  Scorpions are active at night and feed on insects, spiders, and other scorpions including their young.  They may be found under anything that provides shelter and may infest crawl spaces and attics of homes.  Scorpions are aggressive.  Stings of scorpions native to South Carolina are comparable to wasp stings. The stings are immediately painful, but do not pose a serious health hazard for most people.  There may be localized edema and itching as well as paresthesia, nausea or vomiting. Symptoms usually subside in a few hours.  There is a risk of anaphylactic shock in a few susceptible people.  Anyone who experiences shortness of breath, difficult breathing or hives distant from the sting site should immediately seek medical attention.  Patients with a previous history of insect sting allergy may have a cross-reaction to a scorpion sting.

Scorpion Sting Treatment

+ Cleanse sting sites with soap and water.

+ Ice packs will reduce pain and swelling (elevate extremity).

+ Over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl for itching, and Tylenol® or a similar product for pain.

 The Newsletter of the Clemson University / MUSC Agromedicine Program

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE – DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SERVICE

MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 171 ASHLEY AVENUE, CHARLESTON, SC 29425-2217

Samuel T. Caldwell, Editor

caldwest@musc.edu

843-792-2281 Fax 843-792-4702

Volume 10, No. 9

September 15, 1998