Crawling and biting

Scorpions

Scorpions are eight-legged arachnids with pincers and a tail; an unfamiliar one indoors should be left untouched and assessed cautiously.

A single small pale-brown scorpion resting calmly on pale concrete, seen from the side and slightly above, with its tail relaxed and curled and its claws lowered

Scorpions are eight-legged animals with a pair of pincers and a segmented tail ending in a stinger. They are often active at night and hide by day in sheltered places such as gaps, debris, stored materials or quiet corners. Around homes and compounds in Accra, a scorpion may be found near a doorway, in a store room or among items left undisturbed. A sighting is not enough to identify its species, and it is best not to approach for a closer look.

A scorpion sting can be painful, and some species can cause serious effects. Do not handle or try to catch one. Keep children and pets away from the area. Seek medical help promptly after a sting, especially if a child has been stung. Crepps can assess the property and advise on practical steps to reduce access and shelter. The proposed IPM approach is to inspect and identify activity, check likely entry points and hiding places, recommend prevention, monitor where needed and use targeted treatment only if appropriate.

Signs

A live or dead scorpion is the clearest sign, but do not approach it to confirm its identity. Look from a safe distance for repeated sightings around doorways, stored items, cracks or sheltered corners. A photograph taken without moving closer may help an inspection.

Why it matters

Scorpion stings can be painful, and some species can cause serious effects. A sighting calls for caution rather than an attempt to capture or kill the animal. Keep children and pets away, and seek medical help promptly after a sting, especially for a child.

The IPM approach

Crepps would inspect the reported area, identify the pest where possible and check likely hiding places, entry gaps and outdoor shelter. The plan would prioritise exclusion and habitat changes, then monitoring. Targeted treatment would be considered only if needed and suitable for the site.

Prevention

Keep children and pets away from any scorpion, and do not handle or try to catch it. Reduce piles of debris or stored materials beside buildings, seal suitable gaps around doors and service openings, and keep screens in good repair. Check items left undisturbed before use.

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