Southern state is hit by SCORPION invasion after scorching heatwave

Southern state is hit by SCORPION invasion after scorching heatwave

A scorpion invasion has hit the southern United States as the pesky critters seek shelter in cooler places amid the scorching heat.

Central Texas is one state that is seeing an influx of the leggy creatures - which are keeping pest control companies busy this summer.

Alan Brown, a board certified entomologist with ABC Home and Pest Control told KXAN Newsthat rising hot temps and the dry weather are some of the culprit for these unwelcome guests.

Experts explain that there are 19 breeds of scorpions in Texas, two are found in Central Texas. The cave scorpion that likes to hide in deep dark cracks are often found along the greenbelt.

The increase in scorpion sightings is also attributed to wet springs, according to Dave Moellendorf with Zookeeper Exotic Pets.

'When we've had the storms, they've been, like real drenchers that brings them up to the surface,' he said, as per the news outlet.

The most popular to the area is the common striped bark scorpion that are typically seen in homes across the state.

During the day they hang out under rocks or try to stay somewhere that's nice and cool,' Brown said. 'They can't tell the difference between a rock and a house, which is why they come indoors.'

He added: 'They're just like us, wanting to enjoy the warm weather but only so much.'

To keep them out, he suggests sealing up any cracks in the ceiling or walls. He also recommends caulking up any holes and replacing weather stripping.

Other tips include trimming back any long branches since scorpions like to climb, and can easily make their way into an attic of a home.

A way to trap these scorpions is to expose them to black light, since they can easily be seen since they glow-in-the-dark, Mollendorf explained.

'When you get up during the night to go to the bathroom, or to go to the kitchen or whatever you're doing in the dark, they will glow. They fluoresce,' he said, as per the news outlet.

'They will fluoresce a very brilliant green color. And so you can see them in the dark.'