In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Yes, they are common, they tend to lurk in cool dark places so are found behind things, in wood piles etc. The sting is apparently similar to being stung by a bee so generally not dangerous - but as with everything, different people react in different ways and some could possibly have a severe allergic reaction. Our Italian neighbours tell us the best way to deal with them is to kill any on sight -using a long stick as you obviously need to avoid the tail. If you are worried about being stung - buy an anitdote type cream from the chemist and keep it near to hand.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Scorpions like to live in places as anne2 has described. They are likely to remain in sheds/cantinas etc. If no one is living in your actual house for a while, they will move in but once you return they move out. The "sting" is rather like a nip and they would rather avoid you, but do check your shoes before putting them on if your house has been their domain for awhile.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I have heard that dried lavender is a good thing to have near doors and windows........seems to keep them at bay .
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Terry, there was a thread some time ago which started with a timber deck to be built and ended up with all types of unwelcome visitors. Here is the thread:
[url]http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/building-renovation/9101-decking-garden-hot-south-good-idea-not.html[/url]
I found a horrible scorpion when inspecting a house in Tuscany. Needless to say that I did not buy that house......
The advice by Ricky, Deborah, Mary is correct. They use it a lot in the south of France. Can't guarantee results, though.....
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
They're everywhere, I think, we certainly see loads especially on the warm terrace, lurking behind terracotta pots, etc. I put my wine glass down on the terrace wall once and when I went to pick it up again one was just about to climb on to the rim (aaaaah!) Always ensure you bang your shoes on the floor before putting them on (an old trick British expats in the Middle East taught me) even in the house. Never walk anywhere barefooted, obviously. Growing pots of lavender by the door helps deter them supposedly.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Noble;94428] If no one is living in your actual house for a while, they will move in but once you return they move out.[/quote]
We get occasional visitors inside the house throughout the scorpion season, probably intrepid explorers seeking new territory. They turn up under furniture, but they also hang around quite blatantly high up on the walls.
If you don't want to kill them (either for ethical reasons or because you don't feel like cleaning squashed scorpion off your floors and walls), and if a dustpan and brush involves getting too close, then the vacuum cleaner is a wonderful tool.
And if you don't fancy a possibly live scorpion in your vacuum cleaner, then Lakeland Plastics (they'll deliver to Italy) do a battery-powered mini-vacuum for the humane disposal of spiders (it has a see-through pipe and can be emptied outside to set them free). Works a treat on scorpions as well.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Daytime hiding places - anywhere cool and damp. They do seem to go exploring at night which can take them in to your house, particularly if you have gaps under doors , windows etc. Do not leave shoes on floor, bang out before putting shoes on anyway, do not leave swimming togs by the pool overnight, keep your bed six inches from the wall and it is clamed that scorpions cannot climb beds with metal legs. Best to kill on sight, stings nasty like wasp only worse and some individuals extra sensitive.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Thanks to all for your interesting and informative responses.
I Googled a European scorpion expert who emailed me back. He seems to think they are rare in this part of Italy and suggests this one was probably a stowaway in some delivered goods.
[quote=Violetta;94448]Never walk anywhere barefooted, obviously.[/quote]
Oh dear, I'd be in deep do-do's if that's the case as I'm barefoot most of the time these days!
Terry
Hi,
I'm not sure how common the scorpions are in Italy, but I have seen little black ones in northern Sardinia (Santa Teresa di Gallura to be precise). They had found their way into the property...
Mrs Z