Many people are surprised to learn that Florida is home to scorpions! While these arachnids are more commonly associated with deserts, Florida’s warm, humid climate provides a suitable environment for several species.

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a new resident, or just startled by an unexpected backyard visitor, this guide will help you identify Florida’s scorpions, understand their behavior, and know what to do if you find one in your home.

1. Florida Bark Scorpion (Centruroides gracilis)

Photo Credit: Stephen Greer, University of Florida/IFAS – Santa Rosa County

This is the heavyweight of Florida’s scorpion lineup—the largest species you’ll find in the state. Also known as the Slender Brown Scorpion, the Florida Bark Scorpion can grow up to four inches long, with a brown body and distinct yellow dashes running along its back. It’s an expert climber and often hides in tree bark, under loose wood, or even inside homes.

Where They Hide

Under logs, tree bark, and piles of debris
In attics, crawlspaces, and garages
Inside shoes, bedsheets, or folded clothes—anywhere dark and undisturbed

⚠️ Hoffer’s Take: I’ve had more than a few calls where homeowners find these guys in their bed, tucked into a shoe, or even hanging out on a ceiling. Unlike some other species, this one likes to climb. If you see one in your home, don’t take chances—get it out safely and check for more.

Florida Bark Scorpion Sting Severity

Painful? Absolutely.

Deadly? No.

But that doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy the experience. A sting from a Florida Bark Scorpion hurts like hell—comparable to a hornet or wasp sting. If you have young kids, pets, or a known allergy to venom, take extra precautions.

2. Hentz Striped Scorpion (Centruroides hentzi)

Photo Source -> Alabama A&M & Auburn University

The Hentz Striped Scorpion is the most common scorpion in Florida, but unless you’re actively looking for them, you might go years without ever seeing one. This species is smaller, typically 2 to 2.5 inches long, and has a tan to dark brown body with greenish-yellow stripes running along its back. Unlike the Florida Bark Scorpion, it prefers to stay close to the ground, hiding under rocks, in woodpiles, and within leaf litter.

Where They Hide

Beneath stones, mulch, woodpiles, and debris
In cracks of old buildings or tree roots
Across nearly all parts of Florida, from urban yards to rural fields

⚠️ Hoffer’s Take: If you’ve got a woodpile sitting too close to your house, you’re practically inviting these guys in. I tell my customers all the time: keep firewood stacked at least 20 feet from your home, and you’ll cut down on more than just scorpions—you’ll reduce rodents and termites, too.

Hentz Striped Scorpion Sting Severity

A sting from a Hentz Striped Scorpion is painful but mild—more like a bee sting than anything that would send you running to the ER. The swelling and discomfort usually subside within a few hours, but as always, anyone allergic to insect venom should be extra cautious.

3. Guiana Striped Scorpion (Centruroides guanensis)

Image Source -> Arachnid Rarities

This is Florida’s rarest scorpion—and if you don’t live in Miami-Dade, Collier, or Monroe counties, you’re probably never going to see one. The Guiana Striped Scorpion is smaller, reaching 1.5 to 3 inches in length, and is easy to spot thanks to its yellow body with two dark stripes running down its back.

Where They Hide

Under rocks, bark, and thick vegetation
In humid, subtropical environments like South Florida’s coastal areas
Occasionally found in homes, but much less frequently than the other two species

⚠️ Hoffer’s Take: These scorpions are the least likely to cause problems, mainly because they stick to very specific areas. But if you live in South Florida and have lots of thick landscaping, palm trees, or tropical plants around your home, don’t be surprised if you run into one.

Guiana Striped Scorpion Sting Severity

The Guiana Striped Scorpion’s sting is less severe than that of the Florida Bark Scorpion, with pain and swelling lasting 1-5 hours. It’s not life-threatening, but if you have a bad reaction, swelling, or difficulty breathing, don’t wait—seek medical attention.

Are Florida Scorpions Dangerous?

One of the first questions people ask when they come across a scorpion in their home is, “Is this thing dangerous?” It’s a fair question—scorpions have a bad reputation thanks to their venomous cousins in the Southwest and beyond.

No scorpion in Florida is deadly to humans.

Now, does that mean you want to get stung? Absolutely not. A Florida scorpion sting isn’t something you’ll forget anytime soon, but for most healthy adults, it’s not much worse than a bad wasp sting. The real concern comes if you fall into one of the high-risk groups or if you have a severe reaction.

How Bad Are Their Stings?

Scorpion stings in Florida are painful, but not life-threatening. The sensation is often compared to a wasp or hornet sting—a sharp, burning pain at the site of the sting, followed by some swelling and redness.

🔹 Pain Levels by Species

Florida Bark Scorpion: The most painful sting of the three, but still not medically significant.
Hentz Striped Scorpion: Similar to a bee sting, with quick pain and mild swelling.
Guiana Striped Scorpion: Less severe than the Florida Bark, with discomfort lasting 1-5 hours.

For most people, the pain subsides within a few hours. However, some folks experience numbness, tingling, or even muscle spasms near the sting site. That’s normal. What’s not normal? A full-body reaction, trouble breathing, or extreme swelling—that’s when it’s time to seek medical attention.

Who Should Be Extra Cautious?

While scorpion stings in Florida aren’t deadly, they can be more dangerous for certain groups of people.

✅ Children & the Elderly: Because of their smaller size and more sensitive nervous systems, kids and older adults are at a higher risk for stronger reactions. Even if a sting isn’t deadly, it can be more painful and take longer to heal.

✅ People with Allergies to Venomous Stings: If you’ve had a severe reaction to bee, wasp, or hornet stings, a scorpion sting could trigger an allergic response as well. Symptoms like difficulty breathing, dizziness, or swelling in the face and throat require immediate medical attention.

⚠️ Hoffer’s Take: If a child or elderly person gets stung, don’t take chances—monitor them closely, and if there’s any sign of a serious reaction, head to the ER.

What To Do If You Get Stung

Even though Florida scorpion stings aren’t deadly, they hurt. Here’s what you should do if you or someone you know gets stung:

Step 1: Wash the Area: Use soap and warm water to clean the sting site and prevent infection.
Step 2: Apply a Cold Compress: A bag of ice or a cold washcloth reduces swelling and numbs the pain. Hold it on the sting for 10-15 minutes at a time.
Step 3: Take a Pain Reliever: Over-the-counter meds like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) help manage pain and swelling.
Step 4: Elevate the Stung Limb (If Possible): If you were stung on your hand, foot, arm, or leg, try to elevate the limb to help reduce swelling.
Step 5: Monitor for Severe Reactions: Most stings will be mild, but if you notice trouble breathing, extreme swelling, or dizziness, seek emergency medical care immediately.

What To Do If You Find a Scorpion in Your Home

First things first: don’t panic. Easier said than done, I know—especially if it’s hanging out on your bedroom wall or, worse, inside your shoe. Florida scorpions aren’t aggressive, and they aren’t looking to pick a fight. Most of the time, they just wandered in by mistake, searching for food or shelter.

Now, let’s talk about the right way to handle this situation.

Should You Kill It?

I get it—your first instinct might be to grab a shoe and take care of business. But before you do, consider this: scorpions actually help control other pests. They eat cockroaches, termites, spiders, and other insects, making them nature’s own pest control.

That being said, I wouldn’t exactly call them “welcome guests.” If you’re finding them frequently in your home, that’s a bigger issue—one that a professional pest control company (like ours) can help solve.

If you spot just one scorpion, consider removing it instead of killing it. Here’s how.

Safe Removal Methods

1. The Glass Jar & Cardboard Trick

Trap the Scorpion: Place a glass jar or clear container over the scorpion.
Slide a Piece of Cardboard Underneath: This prevents it from escaping.
Take It Outside: Walk a safe distance from your home (preferably near some vegetation) and release it.

⚠️ Pro Tip: If you’re nervous about getting too close, wear thick gloves while handling the jar.

2. Use a Broom & Dustpan

If you’re not comfortable getting too close, a broom and dustpan can do the trick.
Gently sweep the scorpion into the dustpan and relocate it outside.

Even though Florida scorpion stings aren’t deadly, you don’t want to risk getting stung. Never attempt to pick up a scorpion with bare hands—it’s not worth the gamble.

When to Call a Pest Control Professional

If you’re seeing more than one scorpion, or you’ve already removed a few and they keep showing up, it’s time to call in the pros. A single scorpion could be a random visitor, but multiple sightings usually indicate:

✅ An infestation in or around your home
✅ Entry points allowing scorpions inside
✅ A food source (insects) that’s attracting them

At Hoffer Pest Solutions, we don’t just get rid of the scorpions you see—we eliminate the problem at its source, sealing entry points and cutting off their food supply. If you want to make sure your home stays scorpion-free, give us a call.

🔎 Spotted a scorpion in your home? Let us help you take care of it for good.