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Are There Scorpions In Jamaica?

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Scorpions In Jamaica | (Photo Credit: Jamaica Gleaner)Scorpions In Jamaica | (Photo Credit: Jamaica Gleaner)

by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

It is common for Jamaicans to experience crawling insects, swarming their homes especially when it rains. So many are under the impression that this only happens in rural Jamaica but this is far from the truth. Urban Jamaica definitely has their fair share as well. While in the country you will find forty legs, in the town you might run into a scorpion in your bed.

Yes! There are scorpions in Jamaica.

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What Are Scorpions?

The predatory arachnids in the order Scorpiones are called scorpions. They have eight legs and may be identified by their pair of gripping pincers and their narrow, segmented tail, which frequently curves forward over the back and always has a stinger at the end.

Scorpions have undergone evolutionary change for 435 million years.

With the exception of Antarctica, they are present on all continents but live primarily in deserts and have evolved to a variety of environmental situations. There are currently 22 recognised extant families out of over 2,500 identified species.

Are they poisonous?

Yes! Most types of scorpions are venomous and their poison quickly kills or paralyzes their prey. Jamaica does not naturally harbour scorpions with lethal stings. The native scorpions in Jamaica do cause pain when they sting though.

Sadly, some people may experience an allergic reaction to the sting, which could result in anaphylaxis. Scorpions utilise their sting to both attack and protect themselves from prey.

Actually timid creatures, the nocturnal hunters who won't sting unless provoked or in danger and will only scorpions only strike people when they feel threatened. Being nocturnal, they spend the day sleeping in burrows, behind piles of wood, under rocks, or in other little, dark places.

Why do they invade homes?

A scorpion will enter your home because of its capacity to consume so many insects. Because flies and other small insects are their main food supply and prey, scorpions are drawn to them. By making sure you pick up any loose garbage that may be lying around, you may prevent your home from acting as a scorpion attraction.

They can infiltrate through the structure's fissures or unprotected spaces. In search of protection and water, scorpions will invade your residence or place of business. The easiest strategy to keep scorpions out of your house or place of business is to plug any cracks and gaps.

Reduce the amount of vegetation in your yard as well so that they have fewer places to hide. Scorpion populations grow slowly, yet a single pregnant female can establish a colony. They are able to go months without eating, therefore they are able to enter the house without having to flee for food.

Take a look around your house's exterior. Scorpions may be attracted to standing water or a leaky hose near the house. Bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms are typical indoor water sources. The typical offenders are leaking pipes, but even wet areas, like basements, are alluring.

Scorpions enjoy sleeping on beds because they frequently seek refuge there. Nothing ought to ever be left dangling from your bed to the floor.

What to do if you find a scorpion?

It is advisable to leave a scorpion alone if you come across one in the outdoors. On the other hand, if you find one inside your house, it is essential to remove it and, in case of an infestation, contact an exterminator. Make sure you're wearing protective garments before stabbing a scorpion to death.

Even after killing a scorpion, avoid touching the bark as it is still able to sting you. The natural compounds boric acid and, to a lesser extent, borax can be sprayed or applied to scorpions to eventually kill them.

Because the chemical dehydrates the scorpions, the procedure is relatively gradual. The scorpion will still be able to sting for a while because it will take some time.

What to do if you get stung by a scorpion?

  1. Cut an onion in half and apply it to your scorpion sting site. Onion has anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties that will both reduce the pain and help prevent infection.

  2. Clean the area and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion.

  3. Take over-the-counter pain medication.

So, while the chances of you running into a scorpion or finding one in your home are slim, now you know exactly what they are and what to do.

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References & Sources For Scorpions In Jamaica

  1. Information on Scorpions - RYMO Pest Control Jamaica, https://www.rymopestcontrol.com/pests/scorpions
  2. Are there scorpions in Jamaica? - 2022, https://theflatbkny.com/caribbean/are-there-scorpions-in-jamaica/
  3. Scorpion sting - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/scorpion-stings/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353865

Scorpions In Jamaica | Written: August 14th, 2022

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