PHOENIX - Scorpions are on the move.
“We usually see them in the early spring, sometimes in February sometimes in March," said Ben Holland, founder of Scorpion Sweepers.
"When you start hearing crickets and bees and wasps and other pests, scorpions are going to be active, especially when temps reach the 90s,” said Holland.
You could call Ben a scorpion whisperer.
“We focus solely on scorpions, and we do so without any chemicals dust or sprays. We come at night and use ultraviolet lights to hand remove them from your property, and we work with you to remove their habitats," said Holland.
There are many places you'll find them around your home including out in the open.
“They like to hide in the expansion joints in the concrete. If you have thick river rock, 3 to 4 inches, you might see them living in there. The corner of garage doors will disintegrate and they will get in through there, and trees with cracks and crevices, so we recommend you shave down certain palm trees,” said Holland.
And of course, the Valley’s ubiquitous concrete walls, which Scorpion Sweepers will seal for you.
“They can also get up onto your roof and fall down chimney vents into your bathroom," said Holland.
As for the all-important key to keeping them out, aside from killing and collecting them.
“Get rid of anything that they can go under during the day and seek shelter from the sun and wind. Also make sure your home is sealed, your garage door is sealed, your sliding patio doors, anything you can slide your credit card into, an Arizona bark scorpion can get into, so make sure your home is sealed," said Holland.
You do not want to meet the tail-end of a scorpion.
“The Arizona bark scorpion is the most venomous scorpion in the United States, so it will be very painful," said Holland.
Banner Poison and Drug Information Center managed 7,540 scorpion sting calls in 2017.
According to Mayo Clinic, most scorpion stings don't need medical treatment, but if symptoms are severe, you may need to receive care in a hospital.
On a positive note, scorpions are beneficial, in some ways.
“They are going to eat crickets, cockroaches even cicadas. They will eat anything they can get their hands on so if you get rid of scorpions, expect an uptick in those other pests," said Holland.