Scorpion

Classification

They belong to the class Arachnoidea and do not have the familiar characteristics of insects (three body parts, six legs, etc.). Their body is divided into two parts, the cephalothorax and the abdomen.

Biology

Scorpions, depending on the species, range in size from 3cm to 18cm. They are nocturnal and during the day they hide in warm, moist and dark places such as under stones, in rock crevices and even inside houses, in dark corners or under furniture. The female lays 20-30 eggs. Scorpions eat insects, spiders and other small bugs.

Public health

Scorpions are venomous, in the sense that they produce venom to kill their victims. However, they are considered relatively harmless to humans and usually their bites occur from accidental contact during cleaning of the places where they usually hide. The amount of venom is relatively small and usually causes severe pain, irritation or swelling.

Modes of Management

Prevention: The first measure is to limit the places they use as shelters. Loose stones, piles of bricks, wood and other materials must be removed.

Monitoring: Frequent inspections by experts help assess the situation in areas where such species are expected to be found.

Control: By residual spraying in the places where they frequent.
For scorpions, external spraying of the walls must be done up to a height of 60cm from the ground, paying particular attention to damage or cracks in the walls. Indoors, the spray is applied to the lower part of the entrances (doors-windows), the skirting board and dark places where they can serve as shelters for scorpions.