In nature, things aren’t always what they seem. Imagine you’re working in your garden and you happen to turn over a rotten log. Underneath, you find what appears to be a scorpion. Its menacing pincers and crusty body send shivers up your spine, and you immediately fear its painful and potentially dangerous sting. Before you turn to flee in horror, stop and take a look at its back end. If it has a long, thin, whip-like tail, you may have just encountered one of Mother Nature’s clever pranks. No matter how badly it wants to, the whip scorpion can’t sting you because it doesn’t have any venom. It could pinch you if you’re brave enough to get too close, or it could spray you with an acidic, vinegar-like solution that makes you smell bad, but that’s about it.
An Arachnid Costume Party
The odd and creepy-looking whip scorpion, also known by the names Thelyphonida and vinegarroon, is an invertebrate and an arachnid. The spider’s odd cousin likes to burrow and hide in dark, moist places by day and hunt for its insect prey by night. More than 100 whip scorpion species exist in the world. They’re typically found in tropical and subtropical climates. Some members of the vinegarroon family can grow as long as 80 mm. Their long, whip-like tails are used as sensory organs, and their front pair of legs resemble antennae. Without venom glands, the poor whip scorpion has to rely on its ability to burn or alarm its larger predators with its stinky, acid-based mist. While the fluid is generally harmless to humans, victims of the whip scorpion may never buy spray salad dressing again. Handling a whip scorpion isn’t recommended, but it’s definitely safer than handling a real scorpion.
Let ABC Take the Sting out of Scorpion Control
Fortunately, the whip scorpion isn’t typically seen in Austin, but the area has its share of real scorpions. They’re attracted to moisture and light in lawns and landscapes, and once they settle into a structure, their numbers grow. At ABC Home & Commercial Services, our highly trained pest control specialists know how to detect and remove scorpions, spiders and other pests from your home or business using effective mechanical, chemical and environmental methods. If scary scorpions, creepy arachnids or other bugs send you running for cover, don’t waste any time. Contact us today to schedule service.