Oklahoma Drought Brings Out Scorpions

Dana Hertneky, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- We are under a scorpion invasion, of sorts. Exterminators and homeowners report the creatures are making their ways into our homes and it seems we have the drought to blame.

Scorpions are desert creatures so they like the hot dry weather. But they come inside looking for food.

It was about a month ago that the Miller household made the first scorpion discovery.

"It was back in our master bathroom and I don't even think I've ever seen a scorpion in my life so I completely freaked out," said Andrea Miller. "Then when I saw one on the way off my son's room I really freaked out because he's a crawler."

And the Millers are clearly not alone. In just a few hours time, these pictures of scorpions found in News 9 viewers homes poured into our web site.

"They expect to see them outside, but when you see them in your bed or the living room or the bathroom, then you're not quite so happy about it," said Rick Fleetwood of Arrow exterminators.

At Arrow Exterminating, they usually get two or three calls a month about scorpions. Now they get at least three a week.

"It's one thing to see an ant, but to see a scorpion is something else," said Fleetwood.

Fortunately the scorpions in Oklahoma aren't poisonous.  But they do bite.

"The sting, you'll know it," said Fleetwood.

And with little ones in the house Andrea did what the folks at Arrow recommend and called an exterminator.

"I think I met my quota for life, I don't want to see any more scorpions," said Miller.

Rick Fleetwood says if you find multiple scorpions you probably do need an exterminator to take care of the problem. You can also use glue boards in your vents to try and catch them.

He also says the scorpions seem to be the worst in Edmond, East Norman and Choctaw.