How to Naturally Deter Scorpions

Co-authored by Samuel Ramsey, PhD

Last Updated: April 17, 2024 Approved

If you live in an arid climate, especially somewhere in the southwestern United States like Arizona, chances are you’re living alongside scorpions. These little critters rarely enter homes, but it can give you quite a fright if you see one a little too close for comfort! Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep them away.

Here are 11 effective, all-natural ways to deter scorpions from your home.

1

Light citric candles.

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Citrus scents may also repel scorpions. Light some citric candles around your home or outside in your yard. Do this every day for a few weeks or a month to see if it makes a difference in the number of scorpions you see.^{[1]
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- You can also try spraying citrus oils on surfaces to repel scorpions. Mix about 20 drops of essential lemon oil with a couple cups of water in a spray bottle and spray it wherever you want to deter scorpions from going.

2

Try planting lavender.

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There is evidence that lavender may repel scorpions. Plant lavender around the perimeter of your home or yard to repel scorpions naturally. Or, plant lavender in certain areas where you tend to see scorpions on your property.^{[2]
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- You can also try making a lavender spray by mixing a couple cups of water and 20 drops or so of lavender essential oil in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto any surfaces or areas you want to repel scorpions from.

3

Get some chickens.

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Chickens get rid of the insects that scorpions eat. Keep a few chickens on your property and let them roam freely. Watch them happily peck away at the ground as they scour it for bugs, reducing the natural food supply for scorpions!^{[3]
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- Chickens may also try to eat any scorpions they come across if they’re still coming onto your property.

4

Clear your property of debris.

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This gets rid of dark, appealing hiding places. Clean up yard waste like piles of leaves and brush. Get rid of stacks of rocks or lumber as well. Move wood piles at least 50 ft (15 m) away from your home.^{[4]
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- Scorpions hide out in dark places during the day and come out at night to hunt.^{[5]
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  Samuel Ramsey, PhD
  Entomologist
  
  Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.}
- Wear long-sleeved clothing and gloves when you’re cleaning up your property in case there are any scorpions hiding in piles of debris.

5

Keep trees trimmed away from your home.

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This removes natural bridges that scorpions can use to get inside. Prune trees so their branches are not touching the sides of your home. That way, scorpions are less likely to find their way into your attic or through an open window.^{[6]
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- Scorpions sometimes like to hang out in the shade underneath trees. Be careful when you’re pruning in case there are any nearby.

6

Clean up food scraps.

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Food scraps attract insects that scorpions feed on. Always sweep up crumbs, spilled pet food, and other scraps from inside and outside your home. Dispose of food scraps in a sealed trash can where insects can’t get to it.^{[7]
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- If you have fruit trees, clean up any fallen fruit around your yard so it doesn’t rot and attract bugs.

7

Fill cracks and crevices in your home.

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This prevents scorpions from finding their way inside through tiny spaces. Walk slowly around the outside of your home and look for holes and gaps, especially around windows, doors, and the foundation.^{[8]
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Samuel Ramsey, PhD
Entomologist

Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.} Seal everything up with caulk or spray foam.^{[9]
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- Other places to check for gaps are around dryer vents and air conditioning ducts.^{[10]
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  Expert Source
  
  Samuel Ramsey, PhD
  Entomologist
  
  Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.}

8

Put yellow light bulbs in your outdoor lights.

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This way, your lights attract less insects that scorpions like to eat. Change all your outdoor light bulbs to warm, yellow bulbs to attract fewer bugs. Leave your lights off when you’re not using them.^{[11]
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- Note that yellow light doesn’t deter insects, it just attracts them less than white light does.

9

Catch and relocate scorpions.

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This can shift populations away from your property. Wear protective clothing and gloves when hunting for scorpions. Pick a scorpion up with a long pair of kitchen tongs and pit it inside a jar. Seal the jar securely and transport the scorpion far away to an undisturbed natural habitat.^{[12]
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- Scorpions come out more at night and they glow in the dark under black UV light. Buy a black light and go looking for scorpions at night to find more that you can catch and relocate.

10

Fix any leaks in your plumbing.

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This removes sources of water that attract scorpions. Fix leaky pipes so less water accumulates in and around your home for scorpions to drink. Repair leaky faucets and any other leaks in your home.^{[13]
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- If you have any roof leaks, fix those as well so water doesn’t accumulate in your attic.
- If you have pets, leave water dishes empty at night or elevate them somewhere that scorpions can’t reach them.

11

Get rid of insects that scorpions eat.

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Fewer food sources means fewer scorpions. Check for infestations of things like termites, spiders, cockroaches, and other bugs. Kill them with pesticide or call a pest control company to deal with the problem.^{[14]
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University of Missouri Extension
University of Missouri program dedicated to research-based, practical public education

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- Scorpions eat just about any small insect, but they especially love crickets, ants, and cockroaches.

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Question

Where do scorpions hide in the house?

Samuel Ramsey, PhD
Entomologist
Dr. Samuel Ramsey is an Entomologist and a researcher with the United States Department of Agriculture. Dr. Ramsey has extensive knowledge of symbiosis and specializes in insect disease spread, parasite behavior, mutualism development, biological control, invasive species ecology, pollinator health, and insect pest control. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Entomology from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Maryland. Dr. Ramsey’s research on bees has enabled researchers to develop targeted control techniques to restore honey bee populations worldwide. He also hosts a YouTube series called “Dr. Buggs.”

Samuel Ramsey, PhD

Entomologist

Expert Answer

Scorpions hide in dark places such as basements or under the beds. They sit in things that have not been moved or used for a long time, like old shoes.

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Question

How do you prevent scorpions from entering the house?

Samuel Ramsey, PhD
Entomologist
Dr. Samuel Ramsey is an Entomologist and a researcher with the United States Department of Agriculture. Dr. Ramsey has extensive knowledge of symbiosis and specializes in insect disease spread, parasite behavior, mutualism development, biological control, invasive species ecology, pollinator health, and insect pest control. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Entomology from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Maryland. Dr. Ramsey’s research on bees has enabled researchers to develop targeted control techniques to restore honey bee populations worldwide. He also hosts a YouTube series called “Dr. Buggs.”

Samuel Ramsey, PhD

Entomologist

Expert Answer

Seal the entry points to your home, such as cracks in the foundation or gaps under the doors.

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Question

I have found peppermint oil works better than lavender. The scorpions won't cross the barrier. Has anyone else found this to be true?

Community Answer

Yes, I have! The scorpions won't go anywhere near it. The same is true if you use cinnamon.

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