I was recently chatting with some friends and as per any normal conversation the usual topic came up...
SCORPIONS...more specifically the legend that when surrounded by fire they will kill themselves with their stinger...now some believe it's because of the heat others that it's all lie, and others will argue that it comes from a certain lack of family values brought about by the fact their father will often sting the mother to sedate her so she will put out...and you thought college frat guys were bad!
well whatever view you happen to have we decided to put an end to this debate and go to the greatest source of knowledge known to man...ME...k not me but my right hand man WIKIPEDIA...here is the answer we got:
"SUICIDE MISCONCEPTION:
The belief that scorpions commit suicide by stinging themselves to death when surrounded by fire is of considerable antiquity and is often prevalent where these animals exist. It is nevertheless untrue since the venom has no effect on the scorpion itself, nor on any member of the same species (unless the venom is injected directly into the scorpion's nerve ganglion—quite an unlikely event outside of the laboratory). The misconception may derive from the fact that scorpions are poikilotherms (cold-blooded): when exposed to intense heat their metabolic processes malfunction. This causes the scorpion to spasm wildly and this spasming may appear as if the scorpion is stinging itself. It is also untrue that alcohol will cause scorpions to sting themselves to death."
So there you go, lesson learned...
I also read the bottom section on wikipedia which has now informed me that should Scorpions decide to launch a full scale attack on my home I'm completely screwed...
You may want to go through this list and either fix your house or jump out the window because the Scorpions are coming...
"PEST CONTROL
- Scorpions are difficult to control with pesticides alone. Therefore, the first control strategy is to modify the area surrounding a house.
- Remove all trash, logs, boards, stones, bricks and other objects from around the home.
- Keep grass closely mowed near the home. Prune bushes and overhanging tree branches away from the house. Tree branches can provide a path to the roof for scorpions.
- Store garbage containers in a frame that allows them to rest above ground level.
Never bring firewood inside the house unless it is placed directly on the fire.
- Install weather-stripping around loose fitting doors and windows.
- Plug weep holes in brick veneer homes with steel wool, pieces of nylon scouring pad or small squares of screen wire.
- Caulk around roof eaves, pipes and any other cracks into the home.
Keep window screens in good repair. Make sure they fit tightly in the window frame.
