Where Scorpions Are Hiding Around Your Phoenix Home

Living in the Phoenix area means getting used to scorching summers, dry landscapes, and—unfortunately—scorpions. These ancient, hard-shelled arachnids have a knack for slipping into the most unexpected places around your home. With their ability to flatten their bodies and hide in the smallest cracks, scorpions aren't just unsettling—they can also pose real problems for homeowners. Knowing where they like to hide is a crucial step toward minimizing the risk of running into one.

Let’s walk through the top places scorpions tend to hang out around your property and what you can do to make those spaces less inviting.

Scorpions And The Shelter Of Shadows

Scorpions are nocturnal and moisture-seeking, so it makes sense they’re drawn to cool, dark, and undisturbed spaces. That means any area that provides consistent shade and a little humidity is fair game. One of the most common spots? Your garage. The cluttered corners, unused boxes, and even wall crevices between stored tools can be an irresistible retreat. If you’ve got old shoes or boots piled up in the corner, those are basically scorpion condos. Before sliding your foot into anything that’s been sitting untouched for a while, give it a good shake—just to be sure you're not about to share it with a stowaway.

Inside the garage, check along the edges where the concrete floor meets the walls. Cracks, especially those near ground level, can give scorpions the perfect way to sneak inside unnoticed. Gaps under garage doors and around weather stripping should also be inspected from time to time. Even if a space looks too narrow for anything to get through, remember that scorpions are excellent at squeezing into places much tighter than you’d think.

Gardens, Pots, And Pests With Pinchers

Scorpions have a natural fondness for garden spaces—not because they’re into flowers, but because your yard is often a buffet of other pests they like to eat. If you’ve got a well-landscaped property with lush plant beds, decorative rocks, and garden features, those features may double as scorpion hiding places. The undersides of large stones, hollow decorative items, and damp mulch beds all provide shade and cover.

Even something as innocent as a potted plant on your patio can host a scorpion. The moist soil and shady bottom of the pot create a small but ideal shelter. Terracotta and ceramic pots, in particular, retain moisture and stay cool longer—two conditions scorpions love. It's worth checking under and around these containers regularly. If you're planning to move or repot anything, use gloves and tap the sides gently to give any unexpected guests a chance to scurry off.

Speaking of outdoor décor, watch for scorpions lurking in the cracks of patio furniture, in barbecue grills that haven’t been used in a while, or around pool equipment. These are all semi-sheltered spaces that go undisturbed for long stretches, and that’s exactly the kind of peace a scorpion is looking for.

The Lure Of The Indoors

No one likes the idea of a scorpion making its way into the living room, but it happens—more often than most people realize. They don’t need much of an opening. Any crack in the foundation, gap beneath a door, or poorly sealed window frame can be enough. Once they’re inside, scorpions look for places where they can stay hidden during the day. Think behind baseboards, under heavy furniture, in folded laundry, or inside bathroom cabinets.

Towels on the floor? Piles of clothes by the bed? Those cozy, undisturbed places are fair game. Even bedsheets that hang low to the ground can act like a curtain, hiding them from sight until someone sits down. That’s why it’s a good habit to check under pillows and blankets, especially if you’ve left the windows open overnight or been in and out often during the evening.

Bathrooms and kitchens are also prime real estate. The moisture from sinks, tubs, and dishwashers draws in insects—and insects attract scorpions. Sealing off any small openings around pipes and cabinetry can cut off easy access, and keeping things dry and clutter-free helps too.

Block Walls, Firewood, And Forgotten Spaces

Scorpions often hang out in areas we just don’t think to check regularly. One of the biggest culprits in Phoenix neighborhoods? Cinder block walls. The gaps inside those blocks hold cool air and stay shaded, making them an ideal daytime hiding spot. If your backyard is bordered by one of these walls, especially if it’s older or has visible cracks, it’s worth giving it a close inspection now and then.

Another favorite haunt is the firewood pile. Even in the desert, people like to keep a stack of logs around for the occasional chilly night or backyard bonfire. Those stacks tend to collect moisture underneath and rarely get disturbed. That combination makes them a popular choice for scorpions. If you keep firewood, elevate it off the ground and don’t store it directly against your house. Bringing a few logs indoors? Give them a tap or two before carrying them inside.

Scorpions also tend to slip into forgotten corners of sheds, underneath dog houses, and around utility boxes. These locations are usually quiet, dark, and warm, which checks all the boxes for a scorpion’s preferred hideout. If you’ve got a shed that hasn’t been opened in a while, you might want to do a quick sweep before reaching in.

Scorpions aren’t going anywhere. They're part of the Phoenix landscape, and the best approach is staying aware of the places they like to hide and taking small, practical steps to make your home less appealing to them. Regularly shaking out shoes, lifting potted plants, sealing up gaps, and decluttering indoor and outdoor spaces can go a long way toward reducing encounters.

At Eco Valley Pest Control, we understand the patterns and behaviors of Arizona’s scorpion species, and we know exactly where they’re likely to be hiding. If you’re finding scorpions around your home or just want help keeping them at bay, we’re here to help. Our team knows what to look for and how to treat your property so it stays one step ahead of scorpion activity. Contact Eco Valley Pest Control today, and let’s tackle the problem before it surprises you again.