How to Scorpion-Proof Your House & Other Arachnids Found in Belize
Living in Belize means sharing your space with wildlife. Most of it is harmless, some of it misunderstood, and a small portion of it—like scorpions—demands a bit of respect. While they’re generally not aggressive, scorpions can pose a concern when they venture into your home, especially at night.
This guide focuses on how to scorpion-proof your house in Belize, based on real jungle living—not internet theory. You’ll learn what actually works, what doesn’t, and how to reduce your chance of getting stung without trying to wage a losing war against nature.
Mother scorpions with babies
Scorpions Are Part of Life in Belize (Whether You Like It or Not)
I remember my first visit to the jungles of Belize in 1997. My accommodation was a large canvas prospectors’ tent. The tent was large enough to fit a regular-sized bed. Keeping in mind that I love arachnids (tarantulas and scorpions), I slept in the position of a pin without moving an inch at night – arms straight down my sides, legs straight, and on my back. I strongly believed that I would roll over onto a scorpion during the night, but I never did, of course
My First Scorpion Sting (And Why It Changed Nothing)
Would you believe that after yearly visits to Belize since 1997 and only after I had lived here for over two and a half years full-time (since November 2021), I was stung by my very first scorpion? I suspect that my daily average in the last three years is that I cross paths with at least one scorpion a day.
I understand the fear of being stung by a scorpion. It hurts. I sure as hell don’t want to be stung again. But if you are going to live in the jungles of Belize, or anywhere in Belize, that’s just the deal. Eventually, it will happen, and unless you have some kind of allergic reaction, you will be just fine. The sting I received was pretty hot for the first few minutes. If I recall, after ten minutes, there was no pain at all. It was like a strong wasp sting. Some reports of bad reactions are feeling the venom run up the arm to the armpit, or your tongue may swell.
Top Takeaways: How to Live Safely With Scorpions in Belize
- Scorpion-proofing a house in Belize is about risk reduction, not elimination. Sealing entry points and eliminating clutter reduces indoor encounters by 95–98%.
- The most effective steps: seal doors, windows, cracks, and pipe penetrations, then maintain a clean, uncluttered home.
- Scorpions inside Belize homes usually appear due to hiding spots like cardboard boxes, clothes on the floor, or debris near the house.
- Stings are painful but rarely dangerous. Unless you have an allergic reaction, a sting is typically comparable to a strong wasp sting.
- Avoid sticky traps; they kill harmless wildlife like geckos and snakes while doing little to reduce scorpion encounters.
- Raised houses reduce indoor scorpions, but under-house areas may still host them. Eliminating these is unnecessary.
- Many arachnids found around Belize homes are harmless and beneficial, like tarantulas and tailless whip scorpions.
- Education and awareness are key. Habits like checking boots and maintaining clutter-free spaces are more effective than chemicals.
Scorpions everywhere
Scorpion Species in Belize
Apparently, there are four known species of scorpions in Belize; that being said, other than the Florida Bark or Slender Brown scorpion, there really is no helpful information on the other species. Diligently following various Belize Facebook groups, sightings of other species are rarely identified or discussed with certainty.
- Appearance: Typically blackish with slender pincers and a long tail.
- Habitat: tropical environments, often found in debris piles and in or near houses.
- Venom: Mildly venomous; painful sting but rarely dangerous.
Check out this source to learn more about scorpions – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scorpion
Can You Fully Scorpion-Proof a House in the Belize Jungle?
First, you need to realize that 100% scorpion-proofing your house is virtually impossible in the jungle. I have done a pretty good job, but even I come across a scorpion inside my house, on average of once a month or every two months. The best you can do is do your best by following a few key suggestions.
How to scorpion-proof your house
Scorpion-proofing your house involves a combination of preventive measures and habitat modification. Keeping in mind these strategies also helps keep the cockroach population down. Here are some effective strategies:
Seal Entry Points to Scorpion-proof Your House
- Doors and Windows: Use door sweeps and window screens to block gaps. Ensure all windows and doors close tightly.
- Cracks and Crevices: Seal cracks in walls, foundations, and around pipes with caulk or expanding foam to prevent scorpions from entering.
This is the single most effective step in scorpion-proofing a jungle house.
Most scorpions come in through the front door
Reduce Clutter to Scorpion-proof Your House
Indoor Clutter:
- Keep floors clear—no clothes on the ground
- Store items in sealed plastic bins, not cardboard
- Move furniture slightly away from walls
- Maintain visible wall-floor edges inside the house
I keep my home in super clean shape and eliminate clutter religiously. Adding to reducing clutter, I position much of my furniture away from the walls. That way, I do my best to maintain a clean view of the interior walls along the floor. Don’t throw dirty clothes on the floor. I don’t give places for scorpions to hide behind.
Check out another post I wrote about Jungle Creatures that Find Their Ways into Homes in the Jungles of Belize.
Notice that in the left photo, all living room furniture is placed away from the interior walls. And in the photo on the right, there is no furniture against the wall for scorpions to hide behind
Left photo – a bookshelf is mounted off the ground to the wall
Right photo – only the bed headboard end of the bed is against the wall. The bed is not pushed into the corner to block the visibility of the walls
Kitchen shelves are mounted under the counter. Underneath the counter is accessible and very visible
Outdoor Clutter:
- Remove wood piles, rocks, and debris near the house
- Always wear gloves when handling outdoor materials
If you seal entry points and keep indoor and outdoor clutter to a minimum, you will eliminate scorpions from your home as best you can hope for, and your chances of being stung. In comparing my notes with other blog posts, there were other suggestions. I noticed those suggestions were just filler suggestions to make the post longer and not very applicable to jungle living.
Either these two scorpions are about to mate or about to combat
After reading this post, a reader messaged and sent me some photos on how he went about scorpion-proofing his home.
A unique and interesting idea for sure – credit to Ralph Mueller
Where Scorpions Are Most Commonly Found Inside Belize Homes
- The sink – fortunately, the big ones usually can’t climb out
- Crawling on the floor along the walls
- Under clothes left on the floor
- In boxes – use sealed plastic bins to store belongings
- Sometimes crawling on the wall
- Behind furniture
When you do find one inside the house, often it’s in the evening, as scorpions are nocturnal.
How to remove scorpions from the house
- Dustpan and brush → relocate away from the house
- Fish spray → effective if escape is likely
Relocation is always preferable when possible.
Scorpion in the kitchen sink
Scorpions end up in the strangest places
Thoughts on killing scorpions
I’m not advocating for killing scorpions, but sometimes it becomes necessary. If a scorpion is in my house, and there’s a high chance it might escape before I can catch and relocate it, a spray of Fish Spray ensures it won’t end up in an unwelcome place – like my bed (not that I’ve ever found one there). For an insect/animal the size of these scorpions, they are probably one of the most numerous creatures in Belize (except for cockroaches). I suggest disposing of any sprayed scorpions in the garbage so other creatures don’t ingest something covered in the spray. If a scorpion is killed by the heel of your shoe, then don’t waste it – feed it to your chickens.
Keep in mind that if you can safely release a scorpion outside, she will continue to consume cockroaches outside. Personally, I prefer scorpions over cockroaches any day. (But I am weird.) Another idea, better than killing a scorpion, is to get your spouse to videotape you catching the scorpion and post it to social media. Your friends back home will think you are badass. The natural way to kill scorpions outside is to have lots of chickens. My chickens love scorpions.
Spray will get the job done quickly
How NOT to Scorpion-proof Your House
Please do not use sticky traps. They will kill a lot more harmless animals than catch an occasional scorpion. Sticky traps also catch harmless snakes and beautiful banded geckos. It’s not a pleasant death for those animals, and you would end up peeling their skin off if you tried to save them.
Please don’t use sticky traps
Education
Educate your family and any visiting family (from abroad) about scorpions. Communicate the importance of shaking out your boots in the morning, and always look first before you reach or pick up something. I don’t wear flip-flops, and I always advise guests not to wear flip-flops outside or around the house, mainly because of venomous snakes.
Another source of scorpion information would be – https://www.britannica.com/animal/scorpion
Sometimes I find creatures other than scorpions in my boots
Raised Houses, Tool Rooms, and Exterior Lights
A house raised above ground tends to have fewer scorpions than a house built on the ground. That being said, the areas underneath the house will likely have a few to lots of scorpions. My house is raised, and as mentioned, scorpions are pretty rare inside my house. Underneath my house and in my tool rooms is a completely different story.
I can bring you down there at any given time and likely find you a scorpion in less than a minute. So, you can only imagine how many I can find if I spent more time looking. Personally, I don’t bother or attempt to eradicate the ones under the house. I don’t kill them or spray them; I am just careful where I put my hands. What’s the point? There is a 97% chance that they can’t get in the house, and for every one you remove, another one takes its place.
Tool rooms are virtually impossible to de-clutter, and scorpions don’t bother me enough to seal in my tool rooms. Besides, the scorpions underneath the house are eating cockroaches. I prefer scorpions to cockroaches any day.
Exterior lights attract bugs in the evening and night, and bugs attract scorpions. Do your best to keep exterior lights off or purchase those yellow bug lights.
Did you know scorpions love eating other scorpions?
Frequently Asked Questions About Scorpions and Arachnids in Belize
Q1: Can I completely scorpion-proof my house in Belize?
A1: No, 100% scorpion-proofing is virtually impossible in the Belize jungle. You can, however, reduce encounters drastically by sealing doors, windows, cracks and keeping indoor and outdoor areas clean and clutter-free.
Q2: Are scorpions dangerous in Belize homes?
A2: Scorpions in Belize are mildly venomous. Their stings are painful—similar to a wasp sting—but rarely dangerous unless you have an allergic reaction.
Q3: Where are scorpions most commonly found inside Belize homes?
A3: Scorpions are usually found crawling along walls, behind furniture, in sinks, under clothes left on the floor, or inside boxes. They are nocturnal, so sightings often happen in the evening.
Q4: How do I safely remove a scorpion from my house?
A4: The safest approach is to relocate the scorpion with a dustpan and brush. If relocation isn’t possible, insect sprays like Fish Spray can be used carefully.
Q5: Should I use sticky traps to catch scorpions?
A5: No. Sticky traps for scorpions can kill harmless wildlife such as snakes and banded geckos. They are not recommended for jungle living.
Q6: Are tarantulas and whip scorpions dangerous in Belize?
A6: No. Tarantulas are generally harmless and may bite only if provoked. Tailless whip scorpions are non-venomous and actually help control insect populations.
Q7: Do raised houses help prevent scorpions?
A7: Yes, houses raised above ground generally have fewer indoor scorpions. However, the areas underneath may still host many scorpions, which usually don’t enter the house if entry points are sealed.
Q8: How can I reduce scorpion encounters outdoors near my home?
A8: Remove debris, wood piles, and rocks near the house, wear gloves when handling outdoor materials, and avoid exterior lights that attract insects—scorpions follow the bugs.
Final Thoughts
Scorpions are a part of jungle life in Belize, along with a few million other types of bugs. There are worse things than scorpions, but nobody wants scorpions inside the house either. You don’t need to fear them. You just need to understand them. Follow my simple suggestions, and you will be pretty successful at keeping them out.
Scorpions are hardly the most dangerous animals that you will find in Belie. Check out The Most Dangerous Animals in the Belize Jungle: Fact or Fiction.
Bonus Section – Other Arachnids Found Around Belize Homes
Personally, I wish Belize had way more species of arachnids (tarantulas, scorpions, whip scorpions), but that’s just me, and we have what we have.
Tarantulas – dangerous or not dangerous?
Tarantulas are basically harmless. Yes, they can bite, but rarely do. In fact, there is NO documented death ever recorded by a tarantula bite anywhere in the world. If tarantulas are known for anything, it’s their ability to throw their hairs.
Many New World tarantulas (those from the Americas) possess an interesting defense mechanism where they can release or “throw” tiny barbed hairs, called urticating hairs, from their abdomen when threatened. These hairs are not thrown in the traditional sense but rather dislodged by the tarantula using its hind legs to brush or flick them into the air.
Check out this source for more information on tarantulas – https://www.britannica.com/animal/tarantula
Left photo – Redrump tarantula crawling up my exterior house wall
Right photo – a Redrump tarantula burrow. Redrumps live underground
Urticating Hairs
Function and Effects
The urticating hairs are barbed and extremely irritating to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes of humans and potential predators. When they contact the skin, they can cause itching, redness, and discomfort, similar to fiberglass. If inhaled or if they come into contact with sensitive tissues (like the eyes), they can cause more intense reactions, leading to irritation or, in rare cases, more serious inflammation.
Purpose
This defense helps tarantulas avoid direct confrontation with predators, giving them time to escape. Urticating hairs are unique to New World tarantulas; Old World tarantulas (those from Africa, Asia, and Europe) generally rely on other defensive tactics, such as biting or rearing up.
Redrump tarantulas are famous for throwing their hairs. I used to catch and hold Redrumps regularly, but have since discontinued the activity because my arms would get extremely itchy from the reaction to the urticating hairs.
I can’t do this anymore because Redrumps seem to be quick to release their hairs, which causes irritation of my skin
Tarantula Species in Belize
Mexican Redrump Tarantula (Brachypelma vagans) is the most common species of tarantula in Belize. A beautiful species, one of my favorites. Redrump tarantulas are extremely common, especially around homes. And they are a good-sized species at 5-6 inches long.
I regularly find these tarantulas wandering around the farm and also often hiding under my house. To date, I have not found one inside, but I am sure I will eventually. Unfortunately, my chickens enjoy eating them.
Redrump Tarantula with white egg sack
This is super cool and extremely unusual tarantula behavior
The Mexican Redrump Tarantula has a unique behavior where they often forms concentrations, or colonies, in specific areas under favorable conditions. This behavior is relatively unusual for tarantulas, which are typically solitary.
Studies on the tarantula provide some insights into their population density in Belize. Observations at the Las Cuevas Research Station showed that the burrows of these tarantulas tend to be somewhat clustered. In one study, tarantula burrows were spaced about 3.2–3.8 metres apart on average. The number of burrows found over two consecutive years was consistent (107 and 108 burrows), though the specific locations and clusters varied yearly due to factors like seasonal flooding. This variability suggests that Redrump Tarantulas may migrate within an area when conditions change, leading to a stable but shifting population distribution.
While these findings indicate a certain density pattern for the tarantulas in natural settings, exact numbers per square kilometre are harder to determine due to the species’ mobility and environmental adaptability. The clustering behavior might relate to optimal resource use and protection from predators, but the population density can fluctuate with the habitat’s stability and available shelter, particularly in flood-prone zones – source American Arachnological Society
This means if you see Redrump tarantulas around your house, you likely have tons of them around your house.
It’s very common to see Redrump tarantulas wandering during the day
Cinnamon Tarantula (Crassicrus Lamanai) – I have never found one before, and every once in a while, I see a photo posted to the Creatures of Belize Facebook page.
Psalmopoeus maya – the only other species that supposedly is found in Belize.
***If anyone can help me add more information or species of tarantulas in Belize, please message me. Years ago, I had the Tarantulas of Belize book, but somehow it became lost.
A Redrump tarantula showing off her fangs
Tailless Whip Scorpions
Tailless whip scorpions are completely harmless, even though they look super dangerous. They are beneficial around your house as they eat insects. I have never found them in my house, but they are very common in my tool rooms. They are one of my favorite creatures.
Supposedly, Belize has a few species of Tailless whip scorpions, but Phrynus marginemaculatus is the most commonly sighted whip scorpion with a large Central American distribution. Whip scorpions are primarily non-venomous and are known for their unique, elongated pedipalps and whip-like front legs used for sensory exploration. Despite their fearsome appearance, they pose no threat to humans. Belize’s tropical caves and forests provide an ideal habitat for these arachnids, contributing to the diversity of whip scorpion species in the region.
Other than the Mexican Redrump Tarantulas and the common Tailless Whip Scorpion, there is next to no reliable information on the internet to resource for any other species of arachnids in Belize. If anyone can fill in any gaps, please reach out.
A Tailless Whip Scorpion – such a cool animal
A female Tailless Whip scorpion with babies. Whether scorpion or whip scorpion, if the babies are white, that means she just had them, and the baby exoskeletons are still hardening
Notice the colour of the baby scorpions on their mother’s back
Other than the Mexican Redrump Tarantulas and the common Tailless Whip Scorpion, there is next to no reliable information on the internet to resource for any other species of arachnid. If anyone can fill in any gaps, please reach out.
| Feature / Species | Scorpions | Mexican Redrump Tarantula (Brachypelma vagans) | Tailless Whip Scorpion (Phrynus marginemaculatus) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 5–10 cm | 5–6 inches (body + legs) | 5–8 cm (body, legs longer) |
| Venom / Danger | Mildly venomous; painful sting, rarely dangerous | Generally harmless; bite rare, no documented deaths from tarantulas | Non-venomous; harmless |
| Activity | Nocturnal; most active at night | Mostly nocturnal; sometimes wander during the day | Nocturnal; stay in dark, humid areas |
| Habitat | Debris, under furniture, near houses | Under houses, burrows, often near homes | Tool rooms, under rocks, humid forest floors |
| Benefit / Risk | Helps control cockroaches | Predators of insects | Eat insects; help control pest populations |
| Defensive Behavior | Sting when threatened | Throws urticating hairs when provoked | Threat posture, whip-like front legs, no venom |
| Likelihood of Indoor Encounter | Moderate; increases with clutter and open gaps | Low; usually stay outside, sometimes near homes | Low; rare indoors but common in tool rooms |
Bonus Photo
A huge, docile Emperor scorpion from Africa
Back when I was much younger, I used to do educational reptile shows for kids. Emperor scorpions were great for that because they are big, docile, and virtually harmless to humans. Personally, I find arachnids fascinating.
