Did you know? The US has only one species of deadly scorpion and it is the Arizona Bark Scorpion, but it is so deadly its bite can kill you if immediate treatment is not given.
Even the bites of less venomous ones dangerous. In some cases, it leads to paralysis while in others it leads to cardiac irregularities. Anyway, you should avoid scorpions because its venom contains neurotoxins that directly attacks your nervous system.
When you are out camping, we want it to be as peaceful and joyous as possible, and only by keeping these dangerous little creatures away can you achieve it.
So here are 6 sure shot answer for : How To Keep Scorpions Away While Camping
- Thick Tent
- Essential Oils
- Bug Sprays
- Sticky Traps
- Keep Clean Food
- Cover Skin
So, let’s dive into the ways you can keep scorpions away in camps, but before that let’s just look for once where are scorpions found and what attracts them.
Where are Scorpions Found?
Scorpions are little arthropods that have neurotoxins in their venom. So, it is absolutely important to know where they might be hiding and how to avoid them. Unlike some other arthropods, scorpions prefer warm and dry areas.
They are attracted to rotten tree branches or roots that contain sources of their food that are insects. Also, citrus trees and rotten citrus fruits attract scorpions. Finally, they are attracted to an increase in the number of insects in your surroundings.
When it comes to the States, they are mostly concentrated in desert areas of California, Arizona, and Texas.
So, next time you go camping in these areas, have a lookout for scorpions and try to implement these ideas below.
Ways To Keep Out Scorpions While Camping
There are a number of things you have to keep in mind and some things you need to buy as well if you want to keep your kids, elders of your family or your pets safe from scorpions.
Thick Tent
The first piece of advice we will give you is to buy a tent that is made of thick material. If you know what scorpions are like, it is safe to assume you are wary of their claws made of an exoskeleton. The way for hunting for scorpions is that they immobilize their prey with venom and use their claws to carry the immobilized prey or use it as a weapon.
If your tent is made of thin and weak material, it is very likely that a scorpion can tear through the tent and crawl up on you without you even realizing it. So, always if you are going somewhere dry, carry a thicker tent. Further carrying a thicker tent will also serve the purpose of insulation against scorching sunlight during the daytime and freezing cold during the nighttime
Essential Oils
Just like some oils repel mosquitoes naturally, there is some oil that repels scorpions naturally. You can simply buy scorpion repellents or if you have time, you can make a scorpion repellent of your own. Whichever be the case, your repellent will need to have:
- Cedarwood essential oil.
- Lavender essential oil.
- Lemon eucalyptus essential oil.
For the DIY scorpion repellent, you will also need 2 cups of water. In case you don’t have one of these oils, nothing to worry about, you can also use orange or cinnamon essential oils.
You will need a bottle with a spray nozzle, preferably perfume bottles or so, and pour all the oils and dilute them with water. You shake them vigorously and carry them with you to the campsite for spraying around your tent and keeping scorpions away.
Bug Sprays
You will surely carry a bug spray with you if you are going camping or backpacking, right? This will come in handy with a scorpion as well. Scorpions try to avoid sunlight as much as possible and usually hideaway in places where they can’t be found, but what if you come across one? This is where the bug spray comes in. You can use the bug spray to fend off the scorpion and keep it away.
Sticky Traps
As you know that scorpions are mindless creatures and don’t have the brain to think, it is easy to lure them into traps. Along with repellent and sprays, non-toxic sticky traps are an effective way of keeping scorpions at bay.
You can just lay the traps around your entire tent and as a scorpion comes in contact with these traps, they get stuck and you can dispose of them. They are quite cheap and can be easily bought from the market.
Keep Clean Food
As you know, scorpions get attracted to rotten things, it is better if you do not carry any rotten food with you. Always carry clean edible food that hasn’t gone stale and with that, you will not just ensure a healthy diet but also ensure that scorpions are not on the lookout for your tent.
Another thing is that if you are going somewhere that you know may have scorpions lurking around, it is better just in case not to carry any fruit or food that has citrus in it like lemons, oranges, grapefruits, or anything of these flavors.
Cover Skin
It is can be irritating for you sometimes to wear socks and shoes all the time, you may like to walk barefoot. But trust us on this, if there is a chance of scorpions’ wear footwear, preferably shoes and boots all the time. Avoid flipflops and sandals, as they expose your skin to the scorpion for biting. It is often seen that taking precaution prevent any kind of incident what so ever.
Also, it often occurs that scorpion crawls inside your pant sleeves. Then it becomes very dangerous for you, so try to tuck the end of your pant sleeves to your shoe or boot. If that is not possible tying the end will also suffice.
How To Keep Scorpions Away While Camping: Bonus Tips and Tricks for Campers
Just like a softball player can tell you tricks about his/her game, we as campers have a few tips and tricks up our sleeves that you can use to avoid any kind of incident involving scorpions.
Sealing of Tents
You know that it is good to have a thick tent, but it will be useless if your tent is not enclosed in the first place. First of all, zip all the doors and windows of your tent. This one, everyone usually does not just for avoiding scorpions but for general purposes. Secondly, look if there are any holes in your tent, especially in the lower portions of the tent. If you find any, seal them off immediately.
Thirdly, look for the tarp below you. The ground is the place that a scorpion is most likely to appear. Make sure that the ground tarp is strong and without any holes.
Sealing your tent means that you can enjoy a good night’s sleep carefreely.
Finding Good Campsite
Where do you think you can set up your tent?
The answer to this question can determine if you encounter any scorpion or not. You need to make sure that you are camping in an open environment, not someplace near trees and definitely not near someplace dirty. Look for a place that is free from debris and caves and doesn’t have scorpion hiding around.
Also, since citrus smell attracts scorpions, try to avoid plants and trees containing citrus fruits at any cost.
Look After Your Belongings
It is often seen as a common trait in us humans that we take care of all the stuff but forget about the obvious ones. This shouldn’t be the case with you. It is often reported that scorpions are found hiding in backpacks or inside shoes. Actually, scorpions look for such a cozy place in shadows to hide.
So, after you set your tent and seal it, carry your belongings with you and be careful that no scorpion has found its way into them.
You can try by having tents that have an allowance of hanging your backpack and clothes high above the ground.
If you are looking for good quality tents, you can check 10 Best Canvas Tents For Camping: Your All-Weather Partner.
Clean Up And Don’t Leave A Mess Around
Habits like just throwing the food containers outside or throwing dirty and sweaty clothes around can become the reason for your encounter with scorpions. They are attracted to any kind of dirt or rotten smell, be it thrown out food or sweat.
So, as a camper, we say properly dispose of your food after you are done eating and properly manage your clothes. This way you avoid scorpions.
Campfire
This last tip for you from our experience is that if possible, keep a campfire lit as long as you are sleeping. Obviously, this involves considering other factors as well like if keeping the fire will attract wild animals or not.
But the fire is a great way of keeping scorpions away. They are afraid of fire and will keep away from it at all costs. They try to avoid flames of any sort.
So, along with having fun with your friends and family, the campfire is also giving your tent protection against intruders in the form of scorpions.
So, Are You Prepared?
Are you prepared to go camping now considering that you don’t have to be afraid of scorpions anymore?
Scorpions are dangerous and venomous creatures and their threat should not be taken lightly. You can buy yourself a thick tent, take care of your belongings, use some methods to keep scorpions out and best of all light campfire beside the tent.
Keep all that in your mind, enjoy a great camping trip, and tell us your stories through the comment section below.
And as usual, Happy Camping to You!
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