Arizona Scorpion Season Starts in March: What to Do Before the First Sting
Scorpion season in Arizona often starts around March. Use this prevention checklist to reduce sightings, protect kids/pets, and know when to call a pro.
Scorpion season in Arizona often ramps up in early spring (around March) as nights warm up, and activity stays higher through the warm months. The fastest way to reduce stings and indoor sightings is to (1) remove hiding spots, (2) cut off food sources (other insects), (3) seal entry points, and (4) use targeted exterior treatments instead of random indoor spraying.
Why Arizona scorpions show up “suddenly” in spring
When temps rise, scorpions start hunting more actively and looking for moisture. In Phoenix, you can expect early sightings in spring—often around March—and then a longer “high alert” stretch as the heat builds.
In the Valley, the most notorious is the Arizona bark scorpion. It’s small, but the sting can be intense—especially risky for children, older adults, and pets.
What scorpions are really doing
Scorpions are basically doing three things:
- Hiding in cool, dark, tight places (rock piles, block walls, woodpiles, garage clutter, irrigation boxes).
- Hunting insects (if you have crickets/roaches, scorpions have a buffet).
- Sneaking inside through small gaps for better shelter and steady prey.
That’s why “spray and pray” rarely works long-term—behavior + habitat matter.
The March “Scorpion Season Kickoff” Checklist
If you do nothing else, do these 10:
Outside (the big wins)
- Remove woodpiles and stacked debris from the house perimeter.
- Reduce dense ground cover near exterior walls (trim plants off walls).
- Fix irrigation overspray and standing water—moisture invites insects (then scorpions).
- Keep rock/landscape piles away from the home when possible.
- De-clutter garages and storage areas (dark + quiet = scorpion hotel).
Inside (the sting-reducer)
- Add door sweeps; weather-strip exterior doors.
- Seal cracks around plumbing penetrations and weep holes where appropriate.
- Check beds: keep bedding from touching the floor, and reduce “bedside clutter.”
- Shake out shoes/towels left on the floor (classic sting scenario).
- Consider UV scanning at night as a detection tool, not a solution.
“Where do scorpions hide in a Phoenix home?”
Most commonly: garages, baseboards, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and anywhere cool/dark with gaps. Outdoors: block walls, landscape rock, woodpiles, and vegetation touching structures.
When to worry about a sting (and what’s considered urgent)
Most stings are painful, but kids are at higher risk of severe symptoms (breathing trouble, abnormal eye movements, drooling, uncontrolled jerking). If those symptoms show up, treat it as urgent and seek medical guidance immediately.
(This is educational info, not medical advice.)
If you’re seeing repeat scorpion activity—especially bark scorpions—your best next step is a targeted inspection that focuses on hideouts + entry points, then a treatment plan built around seasonal patterns. Sexton has been doing this in Arizona for decades and specifically calls out bark scorpion expertise and family/pet-safe products.
When does scorpion season start in Arizona?
Often in early spring (around March) as nights warm up, with higher activity through the warmer months.
What’s the most dangerous scorpion in Arizona?
The Arizona bark scorpion is widely considered the most medically significant in the U.S. and is a major focus of Phoenix-area control.
Why do scorpions keep coming back?
Usually because their habitat (hiding spots), food (insects), or entry points (gaps) weren’t addressed – sprays alone don’t remove the cause.