Scorpions are nocturnal arthropods which means they are active at night, searching for mates and food items. During the day they are hiding in dark areas, out of sight. Their main food sources are insects, millipedes, centipedes, other scorpions and any other small animal they can grasp and sting. They have one set of pinchers or claws, eight legs and a stinger at the end of the tail that is typically held over the back, and ready to sting for protection or killing their food. There are over 1,500 different species of scorpions that have been described.
Only about 25 are known to be a danger to humans when stung. Usually the larger the scorpion species, the less danger they pose. The smaller, the more dangerous. If you live near wooded areas, you have a greater chance of encountering scorpions than if you live in an urban area with no wooded areas nearby. Controlling insects will greatly reduce scorpions being seen in or near structures.