Scorpions in Santa Clarita, CA: Where They Hide & How We Treat Them

Finding a scorpion in the garage or on the bathroom floor is unsettling, but it's not unusual here. Scorpions in Santa Clarita are most common in homes that back up to hillsides, canyons and open space, and they become more active as summer nights warm up. Here's where they hide, how much risk they pose, and how SCV Pest Services treats for them.

Where scorpions hide around Santa Clarita homes

Scorpions hide during the day and hunt at night. They want dark, tight spaces that stay cool, and the landscaping around many valley homes gives them plenty.

• Under rocks, landscape boulders, pavers and decorative stone
• In woodpiles, stacked lumber and debris against fences
• Inside block wall weep holes and cracks in retaining walls
• In irrigation and utility boxes
• In garages, especially along the bottom of the garage door and in stored boxes
• Indoors in closets, under sinks, and in shoes or laundry left on the floor

Neighborhoods along the hills in Canyon Country, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch and Sand Canyon tend to see the most activity, but we find them all over the valley.

Are scorpions dangerous?

The scorpions we see in Santa Clarita, CA are small to medium tan or brown species. Their sting is painful, and for most healthy adults it's comparable to a bee sting. The Arizona bark scorpion, the species known for medically serious stings, is not one we find in the Santa Clarita Valley. That said, any sting deserves attention for young children, older adults, people with allergies, and pets. If symptoms go beyond pain and swelling at the sting site, get medical care.

Signs of a scorpion problem

Finding one scorpion can be a fluke. Finding them regularly, especially indoors, usually means they're living close to the foundation. Scorpions glow under ultraviolet light, so a blacklight walk around the yard after dark will show you how many are nearby. Lots of crickets, silverfish and other insects around the house is another warning sign, because that's what scorpions eat.

How we treat for scorpions

Scorpions are tougher than most household pests, and a quick spray doesn't do much. Our treatment focuses on where they live, how they get in and what they eat.

• Inspecting the yard, walls and foundation for harborage and entry points
• Treating block wall weep holes, rock borders, woodpiles and utility boxes
• A residual perimeter treatment around the foundation, doors and garage
• Recommendations for door sweeps, weatherstripping and sealing gaps
• Ongoing general pest control to cut down the insects they hunt

For most homes near open space, scorpion treatment works best as part of a recurring yard and perimeter program, since new scorpions keep moving in from the hillside.

Scorpions and spiders often go together

The same dark, undisturbed spots that hide scorpions also hide black widows. If you're seeing both, our spider control service handles them in the same visit. Learn more about the spiders in Santa Clarita we see most.

Common questions