Short answer: New homes get scorpions because building on open desert pushes them out of their habitat and toward the closest walls. New houses also often have gaps builders didn't seal. Use your builder walk-through and warranty to get gaps fixed, then seal the rest.
Why new subdivisions see more
Grading and building on open desert and farmland disturbs the places scorpions live. They move to the nearest shelter: block walls, garages and the new houses. Homes on the edge of a development, next to open land, usually see the most.
Gaps builders commonly leave
- Unsealed pipe and A/C line openings
- Garage door seals that don't meet the floor
- Exterior doors without sweeps
- Open weep screed along stucco walls
- Unscreened attic and roof vents
Use the builder warranty
- Do a blacklight check at night before your final walk-through
- List every gap you find and put it on the walk-through list
- Ask the builder to fix door seals and penetrations under warranty
- Seal what's left before your first summer
Building in a growing area? We cover new communities in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Glendale.
Common questions
Will scorpions go away as the neighborhood fills in?
Often fewer as open land disappears, but homes on the edge of open desert keep seeing them.
Can I ask the builder to seal for scorpions?
You can ask them to fix gaps around doors, pipes and vents. Full scorpion sealing is usually a separate job.