Are There Scorpions In Florida?

If you’ve spotted something with pincers and a curled tail in your backyard and you’re wondering does Florida have scorpions?—the answer is yes. In fact, there are three species found locally. The Hentz striped scorpion is the most common and can be found in nearly every county across the state. The Florida bark scorpion is the largest, growing up to four inches long, and tends to hide under tree bark, logs, and debris—especially in newly built or abandoned homes. The Guiana striped scorpion is the rarest of the three and is mostly limited to Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Collier counties. All three are nocturnal, meaning they spend their days tucked away in dark, damp hiding spots and come out at night to hunt insects like cockroaches, termites, and spiders.

Are scorpions native to Florida? The Hentz striped scorpion and Florida bark scorpion are well-established throughout the state, while the Guiana striped scorpion actually originates from the Bahamas and Cuba. And the question everyone really wants answered—are scorpions in Florida poisonous? They’re venomous, but none of the three species can deliver a serious sting to a healthy adult. A sting is painful and may cause swelling, tingling, and localized soreness similar to a wasp sting, but it’s rarely a medical emergency. That said, children, elderly individuals, and anyone with allergies should seek medical attention if stung, just to be safe.

Scorpions don’t typically go looking for trouble—they only sting when they feel trapped or threatened, like when they’ve crawled into a shoe or folded clothing and someone accidentally disturbs them. They’re drawn indoors by the same things that attract other pests: insects to feed on, moisture, and shelter from the heat. You’re most likely to find them in crawlspaces, attics, and along baseboards. Sealing cracks in your foundation, keeping woodpiles away from the house, and reducing the insect population around your home are all effective ways to keep them out.

If you’re finding scorpions inside your home more than once, it’s worth calling in the professionals. Florida Pest Control can inspect your property, identify entry points, and apply targeted treatments to keep scorpions—and the insects they feed on—under control.