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Wingnut
Nomad
Posts: 171
Registered: 5-5-2007
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Mood: Baja Pensive
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joel: I'm from Arizona and we have a lot of scorpions here, one little greenish/yellow bugger is very venomous. To help keep repeat offendors away
from your domicile you need to take precautions outside the house as well as inside. First, outside, remove and dead vegetation within 5 feet of the
residence, remove any dead wood piles or other trash areas more than 20 feet from the house. Scorpions like wet, damp cool places with lots of rotten
vegetation or wood as cover. If you have plants like Ivy or such that climb or attach itself to the walls, spray the base and any large patches with
insecticide.
Inside, check all doors, windows and anyother potential openings (like dryer vent or ceiling vents). Where possible, seal openings or place screening
over opening to prevent access. Once done, completely go through the house moving anything they could hide in or behind and fumigate the house (take a
day at the beach when fumigating). If you have an attic, pay special attention to the eaves, very often small openings may be in the eaves to vent the
attic and they need to be sealed or screened.
Good luck, and I doubt the version of the scorpions you are dealing with are very venomous but they can still be painful stings, especially for
children who don't understand it.
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maspacifico
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Posts: 317
Registered: 4-22-2008
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Benadryl! Antihistamine. The magic drug for bites and stings. It doesn't help the initial pain but things go better afterward. 5 year old is tough
though and not sure I'd give it to him without a hospital close in case of a bad reaction. After living 20 years with centipedes and scorpions in
Hawaii and now in Baja with the same critters you just learn to look where you are putting your hands and feet! Lots of people do a bed check before
crawling in though they do manage to get in afterwards! Make it a game when you put him down.
And, this is the kiss of death, I've never been hit! My wife seems to be the magnet. When my son was 10 he picked his trunks off the ground and got
stung by a scorpion......I told him it was better than putting them on.
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joel
Nomad
Posts: 361
Registered: 2-2-2007
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This was very helpful.
Here is their recommended treatment:
# Local treatment is discussed as follows:
#
* A negative-pressure extraction device (ie, the extractor) may be useful, although the benefit is unproven. The extractor creates a negative
pressure of 1 atm. Apply it to the sting site after incision. Oral extraction is contraindicated.
* Use ice bags to reduce pain and to slow the absorption of venom via vasoconstriction. This is most effective during the first 2 hours following
the sting.
* Immobilize the affected part in a functional position below the level of the heart to delay venom absorption.
* Calm the patient to lower the heart rate and blood pressure, thus limiting the spread of the venom.
* For medical delay secondary to remoteness, consider applying a lymphatic-venous compression wrap 1 inch proximal to the sting site to reduce
superficial venous and lymphatic flow of the venom but not to stop the arterial flow. Only remove this wrap when the provider is ready to administer
systemic support. The drawback of this wrap is that it may intensify the local effects of the venom.
* Apply a topical or local anesthetic agent to the wound to decrease paresthesia; this tends to be more effective than opiates.
* Administer local wound care and topical antibiotic to the wound.
* Administer tetanus prophylaxis.
* Administer systemic antibiotics if signs of secondary infection occur.
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by joel
This was very helpful.
Here is their recommended treatment:
# Local treatment is discussed as follows:
#
* A negative-pressure extraction device (ie, the extractor) may be useful, although the benefit is unproven. The extractor creates a negative
pressure of 1 atm. Apply it to the sting site after incision. Oral extraction is contraindicated.
* Use ice bags to reduce pain and to slow the absorption of venom via vasoconstriction. This is most effective during the first 2 hours following
the sting.
* Immobilize the affected part in a functional position below the level of the heart to delay venom absorption.
* Calm the patient to lower the heart rate and blood pressure, thus limiting the spread of the venom.
* For medical delay secondary to remoteness, consider applying a lymphatic-venous compression wrap 1 inch proximal to the sting site to reduce
superficial venous and lymphatic flow of the venom but not to stop the arterial flow. Only remove this wrap when the provider is ready to administer
systemic support. The drawback of this wrap is that it may intensify the local effects of the venom.
* Apply a topical or local anesthetic agent to the wound to decrease paresthesia; this tends to be more effective than opiates.
* Administer local wound care and topical antibiotic to the wound.
* Administer tetanus prophylaxis.
* Administer systemic antibiotics if signs of secondary infection occur. |
Good information for those really dangerous ones like in Arizonia and northern Mexico, but some of it would be over-kill for many scorpions. But
allergic reactions and infection are always a possibility.
Off-topic a little, IMHO, everyone should have a tetanus shot if you have not had one for a while---scorpions and cactus thorns are punture wounds.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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oladulce...
what about it...
tentanus shot????
i haven't been stung YET but...it's just a matter of time
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
oladulce...
what about it...
tentanus shot????
i haven't been stung YET but...it's just a matter of time |
I hope oladulce responds, but I know our doctor told us she thinks it is a good idea for everyone to have a booster every 10 years and another shot if
really wounded.
Was really glad I had had mine when I stepped on a cactus in an area where there were lots of cows.
Diane
[Edited on 6-20-2008 by jdtrotter]
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CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
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Keeping up with your tetnus innoculations is a very wise idea. Last fall at the Club Crucerus flu clinic (at the Marina de La Paz) they also offered
tetnus shots. Great club by the way !
CaboRon
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Mango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 685
Registered: 4-11-2006
Location: Alta California &/or Mexicali
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Mood: Bajatastic
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Wingnut, that is some good advice regarding limiting the things that draw Scorpions to your house and how to prevent them from getting in.
Generally, whenever I travel in southern Mexico I bring a mosquito net that hangs over my bed and about 30 feet of thin nylon cord to hang it with.
Many mosquito nets include a hook to hang the thing from the ceiling; but, often ceilings can be too high to reach or a hook seems to permanent for a
hotel. I usually wind up stringing the line across the room from a door hinge, curtain rod, etc.. and then hang the net from the middle of that line.
Make sure to tuck it in well under the mattress so bugs cant crawl or fly up the net at night. Shaking out the sheets before going to bed is another
thing you want to do in buggy areas or times of the year.
You can find moquito nets from various sources. In tropical regions you will find that the models the hang off of the 4 bedposts tend to be popular.
For traveling the single line/hang nets pack up small.
Here is a link to the net I have. It covers a queen/king (although a bigger net might be better for permanent use on a king) They also have one for
a twin bed, etc...
http://www.rei.com/product/729005
A mosquito net might be a bit much for some; but, its handy to have around when that spider you saw just before going to bed escaped any you have know
idea where it is. 
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oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
oladulce...
what about it...
tentanus shot????
i haven't been stung YET but...it's just a matter of time |
Bob, I wouldn't run out and get a tetanus booster simply because you might get a scorpion sting someday. In your case, all of the hands-on projects
you're doing at your resort on a daily basis puts you at risk for a wound that could be infected with the tetanus bacterial spores. For this reason,
and the one mentioned below, Yes you and Susan want to keep up on your Tetanus boosters at least every 10 years.
Tetanus bacteria are anaerobic and require unoxygenated environments to grow in which is why you usually think of stepping on a rusty nail or other
deep puncture wounds associated with tetanus infection. But scorpion stings, and stingray stabbings and almost any break in the skin can become
contaminated if the conditions are right.
I think everybody who lives or travels in Baja or BCS should be extra conscientious about their preventative health measures. Whether it's a Rural
clinic or a big city hospital in Mexico, I wouldn't want to chance that if i ended up there with something as unusual as tetanus symptoms, they would
recognize it in time to prevent my demise. Absolutely important if you live in, or frequent remote areas where there would be a delay in transporting
you to a medical facility.
Tetanus boosters (dT) for adults are actually a combination of a diphtheria and tetanus immunization in one shot. Kids get their childhood vaccines
and then at age 5-7 should get a booster that includes Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis (DPT ). After age 7, everyone should have a dT booster every
10 years.
[Edited on 6-21-2008 by oladulce]
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joel
Nomad
Posts: 361
Registered: 2-2-2007
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Just to follow-up on preventative measures, I went outside with a blacklight last night after putting the kids to bed. I found 11 scorpions within a
15 foot radius of the room we're staying in. I suspect that the concrete walls, which retain heat so well, are a draw for the scorps.
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oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
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Don't know if scorpions are as prevalent in other parts of the peninsula as they are in San Juanico but when we were on gringo hill we'd find a
scorpion under every rock or just about anything that had been sitting on the ground. Leave a piece of plywood sitting out overnight and there'd be
colony under there in the morning.
We'd do a flashlight "perimeter check" before laying in lounge chairs to stargaze on our roof deck and there'd always be scorpions on the garage
walls.
We're now located about a mile away, outside of town . We still see them, but probably only half as many as there were closer to town.
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joel
Nomad
Posts: 361
Registered: 2-2-2007
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I've gone hunting with the blacklight out at the campground and there are very few relative to what I've found on Gringo Hill.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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allright!!!
where is the BEST place to get a good BLACKLIGHT ???
have to have one...you are making me a beliver
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oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
allright!!!
where is the BEST place to get a good BLACKLIGHT ???
have to have one...you are making me a beliver |
oh good. I can send BigWooo over to join you on nighttime bug expeditions. I'm sure he gets lonely when he takes off with a flashlight in search of
cool bugs.
From inside the house or camper I'll often hear "Hey, come look at this!" coming from somewhere in the inky blackness.
me trying to sound enthusiastic "oh yes dear, that's a nice one  "
Safe is one thing, but I really don't want to know what's lurking out there in the night or I'll be sitting indian-style in my chair all the
time, instead of just some of the time.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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These little suckers up here are attracted to moisture as well. The one in my shoe was there because I'd just washed them and they were drying on a
patio table. In hot weather, I've found a few hanging out below my garafón, hoping I'll spill a little on the floor. I've found them around
toilets.
Again, these only hurt a little bit for a little while....nothing like that nasty POS in Ola's post above. That type of Scorpion has to be treated
with lots of respect. Fear, in fact.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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i'm buying a blacklight flashlight RIGHT now on ebay!!!
$13.50 usa
fear is correct
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bigjohn
Nomad
Posts: 129
Registered: 11-19-2006
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
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Joel,
How many of those eleven you found that night lived to be found another day??
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joel
Nomad
Posts: 361
Registered: 2-2-2007
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None of the 11 survived. I found another 4 last night.
I've got a LED dual UV and regular flashlight on eBay. I can't say I recommend it, but it works and it's nice to be able to go back and forth between
UV and regular light.
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CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
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Mood: Peacefull
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Here's a link to a really powerful LED blacklight ....
http://www.blacklightsusa.com/blacklights1.html?gclid=CIiJxK...
CaboRon
Does anyone have knowledge of where you can buy similer products in Baja Sur ? How about Home Despot ?
[Edited on 6-21-2008 by CaboRon]
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ELINVESTIG8R
Select Nomad
Posts: 15882
Registered: 11-20-2007
Location: Southern California
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Fear the Arizona Bark Scorpion! They say those can be fatal. Do they have those kind of deadly ones in La Baja? What type of scorpion is the one
stinging people in La Baja that appears to be no big deal. Any pictures?
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