Scorpions are nocturnal creatures that are usually only active at night. This makes it easier to keep them away while camping, but there is more to this story. How to keep scorpions away while camping? How can you get rid of any scorpion stings quickly and safely if one does sting you?
All these questions will be answered in this article!
What is a Scorpion?
Scorpions are a class of arachnids, and they have eight legs. They also have loaded pincers that can inject venom into their prey. The scorpion is one of the many animals on the desert floor there, making its home in the sands. Scorpions are an invertebrate animal that is usually nocturnal, meaning it is most active at night.
There are more than 1,500 different types of scorpions, and they can be found worldwide. In North America, scorpions can be found from as far north as Alaska down to Mexico. In Africa, they are found from the Sahara Desert down to the Cape of South Africa. Scorpions are everywhere!
Now you know what scorpions are. So let’s dig into the main topic of how to keep scorpions away while camping.
How to Keep Scorpions Away While Camping?
There are many ways to keep scorpions away while camping. We will discuss them all in this section.
Bug Sprays
Bug sprays are one of the easiest ways to keep scorpions away while camping. Just follow directions on your bottle and you should be set!
If you think there will be scorpions around, use bug sprays around your camping site.
Bring Strong-Thick Tent
You should bring a thick tent when you are going camping and you know there could be scorpions around. Make sure to bring a strong tent that will keep out any scorpions.
If you are going to camp in the desert, make sure your tent is upwind of your campsite. This will help to keep the scorpions away since they can’t climb upwind very well.
Clean Your Camping Place
Scorpions like to hide in places that are dark, moist and warm. By keeping your campsite clean, you can reduce the number of scorpions that come near you.
So Clean your campsite before camping. It will help you to keep scorpions away while camping.
Do Not Leave Food Out
Scorpions like to eat rotten. But, If you leave food out, there is a chance that the scorpion will come for it. So, it is the best practice to keep a fresh food tent if you are staying overnight.
If there is no other choice, you should eat your meal without leaving some behind. This will help you to keep scorpions away while camping.
Keep Light Around Your Camping Place
Scorpions are afraid of light, so if you want to keep them away while camping, it’s best to have some light. Make sure that your camping area is well lit.
A good source of light is a must that can prevent scorpions from coming to your campsite.
You can also use a campfire to keep your campsite lit and also keep away scorpions while camping.
You can read How Much Firewood Do I Need for Camping?
Store Food in Sealed Containers
When you are camping, it is best to store your food in sealed bags. This will help keep the scorpions away since they can’t get to your food.
If you are camping in the desert, make sure to keep food sealed and inside your car or tent. This will keep the scorpions away and prevent them from coming to your campsite.
Always Wear Shoes When You Go Out
Scorpions live in the ground, so you must wear shoes when going outside. This will stop scorpions from stinging your feet.
Also, before coming back to the tent, always check if any scorpions get on your clothes.
Keep All Clothes Neatly in Bins
Scorpions like to live in dark and moist places, so it is best to keep your clothes neatly inside the bins.
Sticky Traps
Sticky traps are an excellent way to get rid of scorpions. You can make one or buy them from your local store.
Scorpions will go to the traps based on smell and they get stuck. If they try to come to your campsite, they will be trapped in these sticky traps.
Clear Bushes and Shrubs From Tent Site
Scorpions like to hide in bushy areas, so you should clear them away from your tent site. This will help keep scorpions out of your tent.
If you are camping in the desert, make sure to clear all bushes and shrubs away from your campsite. This will help you to keep scorpions away.
These are the ways to keep scorpions away while camping. If you follow these methods, it will be easy to keep scorpions away.
Scorpion Facts and Scorpion Sting Treatment
Now, let’s learn about some scorpion facts. A scorpion stings you once and can sting you again and again if you get into their area. It can take up to 24 hours for a scorpion’s sting to subside.
Most scorpion stings are mild and only last for a few days, but some can cause severe damage. Stings can happen at any time, even when you are sleeping or doing other activities.
How To Treat a Scorpion Treatment?
Treatment for a scorpion sting depends on the severity of the sting. If the sting is severe, then you should seek medical treatment immediately.
The following are some ways to treat a scorpion sting.
- First, make sure that you wash your wound thoroughly with water. This will help to remove any venom from your skin.
- If the sting is very severe, apply ice on the sting area to reduce swelling.
- If the sting is severe, it is better to take an antihistamine medicine to reduce swelling.
- Previously, it was thought that antihistamines make the venom go into your bloodstream. But recent research suggests that it can actually help to reduce the severity of the sting.
- To relieve pain, you can take pain killers such as ibuprofen or aspirin. You can also take painkillers for a week after the sting.
- In case of an allergic reaction, you can take an Epinephrine injection.
- After the sting, drink plenty of fluids and rest for few days.
Conclusion
In this article, we described many ways to keep scorpions away while camping.
As has been noted in the article, scorpions are poisonous and can be fatal if not treated. We have also given a few methods to treat a scorpion sting. It is better to seek medical treatment if you think that you have been stung by a scorpion.
