Striped Bark Scorpions Identification Guide
Centruroides vittatus
The striped bark scorpion is the most common scorpion in the south-central United States. Recognized by two dark stripes running down its back, this nocturnal arachnid is a skilled climber that frequently enters homes through cracks and gaps in foundations.
Taxonomy
Striped Bark Scorpions Coloration
Common color patterns to help identify striped bark scorpions
Striped Bark Scorpions
Seasonal Activity
When striped bark scorpions are most active throughout the year
Where Striped Bark Scorpions Are Found
Hover over states to see their names. Green regions indicate where striped bark scorpions have been reported.
Striped Bark Scorpion Identification Guide
Physical Characteristics
The striped bark scorpion (Centruroides vittatus) is a small scorpion that measures 2 to 3 inches long. You can spot it by two dark stripes that run down the top of its body. The base color is tan or yellowish-brown. Many also have a dark triangle on the head, just behind the eyes.
This species has eight legs, a pair of pincers, and a curved tail with a stinger at the tip. Its pincers are thin compared to larger desert scorpions. Males often have longer, thinner tails than females. The body is flat. This lets the scorpion squeeze through very tight cracks and gaps.
All scorpions, including the striped bark scorpion, glow bright blue-green under ultraviolet light. A handheld blacklight is one of the best tools for finding them around your home at night.
Common Species in North America
The striped bark scorpion is the most common scorpion in the United States. It is often confused with a few related species:
- Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus): Found mainly in Arizona and the Sonoran Desert. It has a thinner body and is the most dangerous scorpion in North America. Its sting can cause serious nerve-related symptoms.
- Hentz striped scorpion (Centruroides hentzi): A close relative found in the southeastern United States. It looks very similar but differs in small physical details and where it lives.
- Pseudoscorpions: Tiny creatures (2-8mm) that look like scorpions but have no tail or stinger.
Striped Bark Scorpion Behavior and Biology
Habitat and Distribution
Striped bark scorpions live across the south-central United States. They are most common from Texas north through Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. They also live in Arkansas, Louisiana, and parts of Tennessee. You can find them in the desert Southwest and northern Mexico too. They do not live in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, or Pacific Northwest.
During the day, these scorpions hide under loose tree bark, fallen logs, rocks, and leaf litter. They are strong climbers. The word “bark” in their name comes from their habit of climbing trees and rough surfaces. Near homes, they hide under woodpiles, landscape timbers, rock walls, and mulch. They get inside through cracks in foundations, gaps under doors, holes around pipes and wires, and openings near windows and vents.
Diet and Feeding Habits
Striped bark scorpions hunt at night. They feed on crickets, cockroaches, spiders, and other small bugs. They do not sit and wait for food. Instead, they roam around looking for prey. They grab insects with their pincers and use their stinger on larger prey. They digest food outside their body. They release enzymes that break down the prey before eating it.
Reproduction and Lifecycle
Striped bark scorpions give live birth rather than laying eggs. A female can produce 20 to 50 young at a time. The babies climb onto the mother’s back right after birth. They stay there until their first molt, which takes about one to two weeks.
Young scorpions shed their skin several times over two to three years before they become adults. Adults can then live another two to five years. This slow growth means that once scorpions settle near a home, they can stay for a long time.
Treatment Methods for Striped Bark Scorpions
Good scorpion control combines sealing entry points, cleaning up hiding spots, and using targeted treatments. Scorpions are tough pests, and spraying alone rarely solves the problem. The best results come from tackling the issue from multiple angles.
Sealing Entry Points and Reducing Hiding Spots
Keeping scorpions out of your home is the most important step:
- Seal cracks and gaps: Caulk foundation cracks. Add weatherstripping to doors and windows. Put in tight door sweeps. Check gaps around pipes, wires, weep holes, and vents.
- Clear debris near your home: Move woodpiles, rock piles, leaf litter, and thick ground cover away from your foundation. Store firewood at least 20 feet from the house. Keep it off the ground.
- Trim plants and trees: Cut back branches and shrubs that touch your home. Scorpions use these to climb to upper floors and rooflines.
- Cut down on bugs: Turn off outdoor lights that draw insects at night, or switch to yellow “bug lights.” Fewer bugs near your home means less food for scorpions.
Finding Scorpions
- Blacklight checks: Walk around your foundation and walls at night with a UV flashlight. Scorpions glow bright blue-green under the light, making them easy to see.
- Sticky traps: Place these along baseboards and in garages. They help you track scorpion activity and find problem areas.
Chemical Treatments
When sealing and cleanup are not enough, targeted treatments can help bring scorpion numbers down:
- Dust treatments placed in wall voids, weep holes, and expansion joints give long-lasting protection where scorpions like to hide.
- Perimeter treatments around foundations and entry points create a barrier that cuts down on scorpions reaching your home.
- Crack-and-crevice treatments inside the home target specific hiding spots. These work better than broad sprays for scorpions.
A licensed pest control company can help find entry points and apply the right treatments where they will work best.
What to Do After a Sting
Most stings from this scorpion cause pain, swelling, and numbness near the sting site. These symptoms usually go away within a few hours. Clean the area with soap and water. Apply a cold pack and take pain medicine if needed. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance. Get emergency care if the person stung is a young child or elderly. Also seek help if symptoms include trouble breathing, muscle twitching, heavy drooling, or unusual eye movements.
This information is for general reference only and is not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or call Poison Control for questions about scorpion stings.
References
- Centruroides vittatus - Animal Diversity Web
- Striped Bark Scorpion - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
- Managing Scorpions - University of Arizona
- Scorpion Envenomation - StatPearls / NCBI
- Nationwide Scorpion Exposures, 2005-2015 - PMC
- Distribution of Centruroides vittatus - Shelley & Sissom, Journal of Arachnology
Other Other Pests
Explore other species in the other pests family
Commonly Confused With
Striped Bark Scorpions are often mistaken for these similar pests
Where Striped Bark Scorpions Are Found
Hover over states to see their names. Green regions indicate where striped bark scorpions have been reported.
Common Questions about Striped Bark Scorpions
Are striped bark scorpions dangerous?
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Striped bark scorpion stings are painful but rarely life-threatening in healthy adults. Symptoms typically include localized pain, swelling, and numbness lasting several hours. However, stings can cause more serious reactions in young children, elderly individuals, or people with allergies. Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe or if the victim is in a vulnerable group.
How do I know if I have scorpions in my house?
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The easiest way to detect scorpions is to inspect at night with a UV blacklight. Scorpions fluoresce a bright blue-green color under ultraviolet light, making them easy to spot on walls, floors, and around entry points. You may also find them in shoes, closets, bathtubs, or under items left on the floor.
What attracts scorpions to my home?
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Scorpions are drawn to areas that offer shelter, moisture, and prey. Woodpiles, rock gardens, leaf litter, and dense vegetation near your foundation attract them. Inside, they seek cool, damp areas like bathrooms, garages, and closets. Outdoor lighting that attracts insects also draws scorpions looking for food.
Do striped bark scorpions climb walls?
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Yes. Striped bark scorpions are excellent climbers and can scale rough surfaces like stucco, brick, stone, and tree bark with ease. This climbing ability allows them to enter homes through upper-story windows, attic vents, and gaps around rooflines in addition to ground-level entry points.
When are striped bark scorpions most active?
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Striped bark scorpions are nocturnal and most active during warm months from June through August. Activity begins to increase in spring as temperatures rise and tapers off in late fall. During the day, they hide under bark, rocks, debris, and inside structural crevices.
What should I do if a striped bark scorpion stings me?
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Clean the sting site with soap and water, apply a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling, and take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed. Contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance. Seek emergency medical care if you experience difficulty breathing, muscle twitching, drooling, or abnormal eye movements.
Where do striped bark scorpions live in the United States?
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Striped bark scorpions are most common across the south-central states, especially Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri. Their range extends into parts of the Southeast and the desert Southwest. They are not established in the Mid-Atlantic or northeastern states.
With five years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, George Schulz is a registered technician with the Virginia Pest Management Association and a proud third-generation professional in a family business that's been protecting homes for over 57 years. He manages and trains a team of service pros while also leading internal research efforts—recently spearheading a deep-dive review of thousands of documents on pest control materials to hand-pick the most kid and pet friendly, most effective solutions tailored specifically for homes in the DC metro area.