As warmer temperatures spike, so do scorpion bites

As temperatures heat up in the Southwest part of the country, residents may notice an increase in scorpion activity. And that means extremely painful and potentially lethal stings. In fact, scorpions seem to be everywhere in Phoenix, as our customer calls requesting service have increased by a large percentage.

While most scorpion stings take place in the home, they are more active when the weather is over 75 to 80 degrees. They are also drawn to moisture, so places such as underneath sinks and in bathrooms may be a perfect place for them to hide. When outside, scorpions prefer palm trees, woodpiles and decorative bark.

Signs of a scorpion sting include:

• Sharp pain at the site of the sting
• Swelling that gradually spreads
• Discoloration
• Nausea and vomiting

To prevent scorpions from getting into your home, seal gaps between walls and doors and keep piles away from your home. Scorpions like to hide in those types of environments, so it's important to keep your family, pets and home protected.