Short answer: Before you buy, read the seller's disclosure for any mention of scorpions, look at the house at night with a blacklight, and have a pest company inspect it. Arizona's official Buyer Advisory warns that scorpions can be difficult to get rid of.
What Arizona's Buyer Advisory says
The Arizona Buyer Advisory lists scorpions among the pests common in parts of the state. It notes that most pests can be controlled, but scorpions may be hard to eliminate. If the seller's disclosure mentions scorpions, it recommends talking to a pest control company.
Five checks before you close
- Read the Seller's Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) for scorpions or pest treatment
- Ask the seller how often they saw scorpions and who treated them
- Visit after dark with a UV flashlight and check walls, the garage and block walls
- Look at what's around the lot: open desert, washes and rock landscaping raise the odds
- Get a sealing inspection and quote before the inspection period ends
A sealing quote during escrow tells you the real cost of fixing the problem, which can help in negotiations.
Is a scorpion house a deal breaker?
Usually not. Many homes near the desert have scorpions. What matters is how bad it is and what fixing it will cost. Most local companies quote about $500 to $1,500 to seal an average home. Compare that with how long you plan to stay.
Common questions
Do home inspectors check for scorpions?
General home inspections aren't pest inspections. Ask a pest company for a separate look.
Does the seller have to disclose scorpions?
The standard Arizona seller disclosure form asks about pests. Read it closely and ask questions.