DawnM Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 We are on vacation in Florida. My 10 year old woke up at 4:45am to find a scorpion in his shirt and bites all over his shoulder/upper arm area. I had no idea there were scorpions in Florida! He killed it and we have pictures to prove it. Thankfully FL scorpions are not poisonous. But the creature did leave welts/bites. Poor kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Poor thing...what an awful way to wake up. Glad they aren't poisonous too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 I have an irrational fear of scorpions. We had them in the Atlanta area and I learned to be careful folding clothes left in a basket or putting my foot in shoes. Our cat was stung on the nose. I hope it's the last one you see on this trip and that your son is not afraid to go to bed tonight. I'm 53 and I'd probably be afraid. Kids are more resilient than this set-in-her-ways old lady. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyKapers Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Aww... that's crazy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I talk to the trees Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 :svengo: I do hope your ds is ok! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted December 2, 2014 Author Share Posted December 2, 2014 He has just woken up again and the welts have gone completely down. He has marks where he was stung, but the welts are gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 That's horrifying. I'm glad he's not suffering any effects from the bites, but wow--I don't think I could get back into bed. I still check under my pillows every night 25 years after leaving home because occasionally as a kid I'd find a spider hiding there. DH knows I won't get into bed without doing "the check". **Shudder** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Yikes! I knew we have them and that they aren't poisonous, but I've lived here 45 years (nearly all of my life) and never encountered one. You come here on vacation and your poor kid meets one. :svengo: I'm glad he's okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elisabet1 Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Poor thing!! I would be flipped out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 I never saw one when I lived in Orlando or Naples, but we had them all the time in Jacksonville. Good news is that they tend to be solitary. I freak out when I see one, and beat it to death with a shoe. They like water/dampness and wood chips. I actually decided not to go to grad school in AZ because of the students' talking about emptying out their shoes to check for scorpions each morning. Little did I know that I was living in a state with scorpions!Sorry for your DS. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 I never saw one when I lived in Orlando or Naples, but we had them all the time in Jacksonville. Good news is that they tend to be solitary. I freak out when I see one, and beat it to death with a shoe. They like water/dampness and wood chips. Sorry for your DS. :( I have never seen one, either! But I know they exist - our landscaper once told me to avoid a certain kind of mulch because they like it best - now I can't remember which kind. So glad your son isn't reacting to the bites [i meant stings. I've heard the stings of these scorpions described as wasp-like.]. With that many, I'd pick up some Benadryl just to have on hand. Poor guy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto10blessings Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 So scary! Glad the welts are gone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 I don't think scorpions bite. I also lived in Orlando for a couple of years and never saw a scorpion. What rotten luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Poor kid... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Wow, poor kid. Yeah, almost anywhere it is warm, there are going to be scorpions. We have them in north Alabama, too. I have even seen them in Italy and Turkey. :ack2: :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SebastianCat Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 I've lived in Orlando, Jacksonville or Tampa my entire life, and have only seen a few scorpions. So sorry to hear about your DS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Yikes! I knew we have them and that they aren't poisonous, but I've lived here 45 years (nearly all of my life) and never encountered one. You come here on vacation and your poor kid meets one. :svengo: I'm glad he's okay. that's what I was thinking...I've lived here my whole life and NEVER seen one, or known anyone that has seen one. And he's here a few days and finds one? Crazy! I actually didn't realize the ones we have are not dangerous...good to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu/News%20columns/Florida.Scorpions.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 I'm another long time (45 year) resident of Florida who's never seen a scorpion and if I ever knew we had them I've long since forgotten. :scared: Poor kid and what rotten luck! That hotel must have an infestation for him to run into one so quickly. Ewwwwwwwwww. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 We lived in FL for ten years and I never saw one. But several of my rural friends said they would have to be careful getting their mail because they liked going into mail boxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
applethyme Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 :svengo: :grouphug: I hope he recovers quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kebo Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 They are creepy, aren't they? One of my fingers is recovering from a scorpion bite from a couple of weeks ago -- it still hasn't fully regained sensation. Unfortunately, most of the Arizona scorpions are the "bad" kind. I'm glad your wasn't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsrevmeg Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Wow, poor kid. Yeah, almost anywhere it is warm, there are going to be scorpions. We have them in north Alabama, too. I have even seen them in Italy and Turkey. :ack2: :( Whaaaaaatttttt??? I had no idea we had them. Great. Now something to be afraid of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Ugh that is terrible. Poor kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Poor kiddo! A scorpion got me on the back of the head once - it was on the headrest in my car. I drove DH's car for months after that! I hope your guy isn't scared of bed tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Will Benadryl help him with the welts and any itching? We've gotten spider bites and my kids have woken many times eaten up by a mosquito in the room, but never a scorpion! Sorry about that! Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Glad he's okay!! *happi duck wanders away to add Florida to her 'never visit list'* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Happi, I have the same list. And guess what I just put on there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 So sorry Dawn! We had scorpions when I was growing up (Texas/Arkansas/Alabama were the only places I actually saw them, though). Depending on the variety those stings can be horrifically painful. I am so glad the stings weren't too bad and he is recovering. Goodness! Hugs to you and to your brave guy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 How terrifying! My daughter woke up with a scorpion in her sleeping bag once, while staying at a hostel in Turkey. Another time she woke up with a big rat in her bed, when on a semester abroad in Senegal. Luckily she is pretty thick-skinned. I think I'd be afraid to ever sleep again after that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Much as I'd hate the scorpion, I have to say waking to a rat in my bed would do me in. Hope your guy is feeling better today, and I wonder if I am the only one wishing I could be a fly on the wall when he tells his friends about this. Certainly he will achieve some sort of mythic hero status for surviving his scorpion attack... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted December 3, 2014 Author Share Posted December 3, 2014 We went to the parks today and he seems to be fine. However, he is sleeping in a diff. bed tonight. :laugh: I don 't think the place is infested. We are in a townhouse rental and my guess is that he somehow wandered in. We saw several when we lived in SoCal, but I had no idea they were even close to FL or NC. I have now been educated in the fact that they are in both states. YIKES. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoEdgedSword Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Poor little guy. Did you know they were not poisonous from the get go or did you find out later? I'd be freakin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 I learned recently that scorpions glow when lit with a black light. I would be checking the room with a black light flashlight before bed if I were visiting there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 We find them frequently in our house. I do not put clothes on the floor because they love to hide in them. I turn on the bathroom light at night if I have to go because I am paranoid of stepping on one. My poor younger ds stepped on one several years back which stung him. In fact, he screamed and when I turned to look at him I saw the thing hanging from his toe where the stinger was stuck. Horrifying! There are no dangerous ones in Texas, either. They freak me out, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 How very unfortunate for your son. But he'll have a fine story to share with friends when he's home! Still looking for a holiday gift? Perhaps you can give him this. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 I shook one of those buggers out of a beach towel in FL this October! We've spent a month there every fall for a decade, and this is the first one we found there! Must be multiplying! Glad to hear they are not poisonous. Sure scared the heck out of us!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Now I am grateful for our freakishly cold weather....no scorpions, and no rats in alberta (so they say, and yet I know of a family behind us that found a dead rat under their couch that the cat killed), and no poisonous spiders in my area, and yeah. I'll take cold over arachnids anyday (though my house is "infested" with spiders right now at least they are not poisonous, just icky) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in FL. Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 I hate scorpions. We have all been stung by them. One time I got dressed (jeans), drove 25 minutes to Walmart, walked to the back of the store and felt a sting on my thigh. I starting jumping around and hitting my leg and then I got stung on my calf. More jumping around and a scorpion fell out of my pant leg into the floor. Needless to say, I squashed him. I expected to hear crazy lady on aisle 4 over the loud speaker! I am sorry that you son went through that, but glad he is ok! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 and, scratching Florida off my list of vacation spots! I am very glad he is ok, how awful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted December 4, 2014 Author Share Posted December 4, 2014 How strange. They have welted back up a bit, but aren't itchy or painful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaillardia Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 I hate scorpions. We have all been stung by them. One time I got dressed (jeans), drove 25 minutes to Walmart, walked to the back of the store and felt a sting on my thigh. I starting jumping around and hitting my leg and then I got stung on my calf. More jumping around and a scorpion fell out of my pant leg into the floor. Needless to say, I squashed him. I expected to hear crazy lady on aisle 4 over the loud speaker! I am sorry that you son went through that, but glad he is ok! "Stripper in aisle 4!" I don't know if I could keep my pants on when I know something is stinging or biting me. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkacademy Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 I have lived in FL off and on my whole life, never knew we had them never saw any. It may be time to move again LOL :driving: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Ouch. Sorry he got stung. We had them all the time growing up in North Central Florida, but I never saw any when I lived in South Florida. If you want to google something cool we also had these things we called "cow killers" which looked like gigantic fluorescent orange ants but are actually some sort of wingless wasps. Fire ants- now those are the worst thing in the history of ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El... Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 :svengo:I think they move into buildings because of drought. My parents had a big influx in Tx two summers ago. There were dead scorpions in the light fixtures. Also, I think scorpions are the scariest looking bugs in the world! Worse than spiders! That's part of the horror - they look so, so bad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in FL. Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Mine both kind of erupted about a week later. It was really weird, but they healed up fine after that. How strange. They have welted back up a bit, but aren't itchy or painful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Mine both kind of erupted about a week later. It was really weird, but they healed up fine after that. This is not doing anything to halt the scorpion hate I have. Erupted? Egads!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Maybe the Benadryl calmed down the allergic reaction but when it wore off, it returned. Ds had very minimal affects after his sting. I don't like the way scorpions move. When they are freaked out, they run in circles with their tails up! Ewwww. One time I looked into our bathroom because little dd was on the toilet. She was about 3-4 and her feet didn't touch the ground. There was a scorpion beside the toilet running in circles trying to sting whoever was bothering it (poor little dd on the toilet). I ran in there and snatched her off the toilet as soon as she was finished and then the scorpion went wherever the toilet water goes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Maybe the Benadryl calmed down the allergic reaction but when it wore off, it returned. Ds had very minimal affects after his sting. I don't like the way scorpions move. When they are freaked out, they run in circles with their tails up! Ewwww. One time I looked into our bathroom because little dd was on the toilet. She was about 3-4 and her feet didn't touch the ground. There was a scorpion beside the toilet running in circles trying to sting whoever was bothering it (poor little dd on the toilet). I ran in there and snatched her off the toilet as soon as she was finished and then the scorpion went wherever the toilet water goes! OK - in the highly unlikely event I ever go somewhere they have scorpions, I'm never ever going to pee. At least not without a baseball bat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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