Yes, Florida is home to at least three scorpion species. None of them are considered medically dangerous, and their stings are roughly comparable to a bee sting. If you’ve just moved to Florida or spotted something with pincers and a curved tail in your yard, here’s what you’re dealing with.
Three Species You Might Encounter
The three most commonly observed scorpions in Florida are the Hentz striped scorpion, the Florida bark scorpion (also called the slender brown scorpion), and the Guiana striped scorpion (sometimes called the Keys bark scorpion). All three belong to the same genus, and all are relatively small, typically two to four inches long.
The Hentz striped scorpion is by far the most common. It can be found in nearly every part of the state, from the Panhandle down to the Keys. It’s a tan or yellowish-brown scorpion with darker stripes along its back, and it tends to hide beneath stones, fallen bark, and ground-level debris.
The Florida bark scorpion is darker, often a solid brown or reddish-brown. It favors the more tropical parts of the state and is frequently found under boards, particularly around newly constructed or abandoned buildings where loose materials accumulate. It’s the largest of the three Florida species.
The Guiana striped scorpion has the most limited range. It’s generally only found in southern Florida, concentrated around Miami-Dade, Collier, and Monroe counties. It shelters under stones, beneath loose bark, and in dense vegetation.
How Dangerous Are Florida Scorpions?
Not very. None of the scorpion species in Florida are considered medically significant. The only scorpion in the entire United States that causes true envenomation, meaning venom effects beyond localized pain, is the Arizona bark scorpion found in the Southwest. Florida’s species are a different animal entirely.
People who have been stung by the Florida bark scorpion describe a sharp, burning pain that fades relatively quickly. Reports range from intense pain lasting three to four hours at the upper end to a mild throb that resolves in 30 to 45 minutes. Some people experience brief swelling at the sting site. Systemic symptoms like nausea, muscle twitching, or difficulty breathing are not expected from any Florida species. The experience is unpleasant but short-lived, similar in severity to a wasp sting for most people.
Where They Hide Around Your Home
Florida scorpions are nocturnal. During the day they tuck themselves into dark, sheltered spots: under landscaping stones, inside stacked firewood, beneath potted plants, and in piles of yard debris. Construction materials left on the ground, like plywood sheets or cardboard, are especially attractive to them.
They do occasionally turn up indoors. Scorpions can enter through gaps under doors, cracks in foundations, or openings around plumbing. Inside, they gravitate toward dark, undisturbed areas like closets, shoes, garages, and laundry left on the floor. If you live in an area with scorpions and have a habit of leaving shoes by the door, shaking them out before putting them on is a reasonable precaution.
One useful trick for finding them: scorpions fluoresce under ultraviolet light. A cheap blacklight flashlight will make them glow a bright blue-green in the dark, which makes nighttime yard checks surprisingly easy.
What to Do if You Get Stung
For a Florida scorpion sting, basic first aid is usually all that’s needed. Wash the area with mild soap and water, then apply a cool compress to help with pain and swelling. If the sting is on an arm or leg, resting the limb in a comfortable position can help. An over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen is fine for managing discomfort.
Avoid sedatives or anything meant to calm you down, as these can mask symptoms that would otherwise tell you whether the sting is causing a more serious reaction. If you notice difficulty swallowing, limit yourself to small sips of water and seek medical attention if it doesn’t resolve within an hour.
Children deserve extra caution because their smaller body size means venom has a proportionally larger effect. If a scorpion stings your child, contacting your local poison control center (800-222-1222) is a smart first step, even if the child seems fine. It’s also worth checking that tetanus vaccinations are up to date for anyone in the household.
Keeping Scorpions Out
Scorpions follow their food supply, which is mostly insects and other small invertebrates. Reducing the bug population around your home reduces the scorpion population too. Keep outdoor lights off when you don’t need them (lights attract the insects that scorpions eat), seal gaps around doors and windows, and clear debris from against the foundation of your house.
Inside, reducing clutter in garages, storage rooms, and closets eliminates hiding spots. Sticky traps placed along walls and in corners can catch scorpions that do make it indoors. If you’re seeing them regularly inside your home, a pest control professional can treat the perimeter of your house to create a barrier.
Florida’s scorpions are a normal part of the state’s wildlife, and encounters are usually brief and harmless. They’re far less of a health concern than mosquitoes, fire ants, or even the state’s various venomous snakes. Knowing what they look like and where they hide is really all you need to coexist with them comfortably.