Short answer: Scorpions come to a house for three things: insects to eat, water, and shelter. Outdoor lights that draw insects, leaky hoses, rock and wood piles, and gaps around doors and walls all bring them closer.
Food: insects
Scorpions hunt crickets, roaches and other insects. Anything that draws insects draws scorpions. Bright outdoor lights are a big one. Turn off lights you don't need, or switch to yellow bug bulbs, which draw fewer insects.
Water
- Leaky hose bibs, drip lines and pool equipment
- Overwatered beds next to the foundation
- Pet water bowls left out overnight
Shelter
- Rock piles, landscape boulders and stacked stone near the house
- Firewood, lumber and stored boxes
- Palm trees with old fronds still attached
- Block walls with gaps and cracks
- Plants and vines touching the walls
What to change first
- Fix leaks and move water away from the foundation
- Move wood, rocks and storage at least a few feet from the house
- Trim plants back from walls and the roofline
- Cut back unneeded outdoor lighting
- Seal the house so the ones that come close can't get in
Common questions
Do lights attract scorpions?
Not directly, but lights attract the insects scorpions eat, which brings scorpions closer.
Do clean houses get scorpions?
Yes. Scorpions come for shelter and insects outdoors, not dirt indoors. Gaps matter more than housekeeping.