Learn how to protect your home against scorpions
New cases of scorpion stings have been reported in several regions of Brazil, especially in urban areas. In the state of São Paulo, more than 26,000 cases and two deaths have been recorded so far, according to the Center for Strategic Health Information (NIES). In the Federal District, more than 23,000 cases were recorded – a 43.75% increase compared to 2024, according to the state health department. In Goiás, more than 5,000 people were stung and two died from envenomation in 2025, according to a survey by the state government.
A Brazilian study, published in May of this year in the journal Frontiers in Public Health , projected that more than 2 million scorpion occurrences should be recorded between 2025 and 2033 in the country – which is partly due to urbanization, as well as the inadequate environmental conditions of large centers.
" The accumulation of trash and debris, along with limited sanitation, favors the presence and spread of scorpions. Furthermore, the lack of natural predators and the excessive supply of cockroaches (the scorpions' main food source) may explain the increase," explains Paulo Goldoni, biologist and technologist at the Zoological Collections Laboratory at the Butantan Institute.
Scorpions are nocturnal animals and often hide in debris, construction materials, dense foliage, shoes, and clothing. Stings are most common on the extremities of the body, such as fingers and toes, as well as legs and arms. Below, learn how to prevent these arachnids from appearing at home and what to do if they're stung.
Symptoms of a scorpion stingA scorpion sting can cause a series of symptoms, such as intense pain, a burning sensation, inflammation at the site of the sting, vomiting, sweating, and shortness of breath.
According to Ceila Malaque, a physician at the Butantan Institute's Vital Brazil Hospital, children and the elderly are the most vulnerable: "The elderly may have some underlying condition or pathology that can make a scorpion sting more severe. Children are even more vulnerable, and the younger they are, the more severe the cases."
According to the specialist, one of the hypotheses that explains this greater vulnerability in children is that the poison, when introduced into the smaller body, circulates more quickly and has a proportionally greater impact on a child's body mass.
Preventive measuresSome measures can be taken to reduce or try to avoid the presence of scorpions in your home, as recommended by biologist Paulo Goldoni:
Keep gardens and yards clean;
Avoid the accumulation of debris, dry leaves, household waste and construction material;
Seal the thresholds of doors and windows when it starts to get dark, as these animals are mostly nocturnal;
Fill all holes in walls, floors, gaps between wall linings, repair loose baseboards and install screens on windows;
Keep garbage bags tightly closed to avoid insects, especially cockroaches, which attract scorpions.
In the event of a scorpion sting, the immediate recommendation is to clean the sting site and seek out a referral hospital to obtain antivenom. "This advice applies both to those with a local condition, such as pain, and to patients who begin vomiting, experience shortness of breath, and other systemic symptoms," recommends Dr. Ceila Malaque. "The purpose of the serum (also called antiscorpion serum) is to neutralize the action of the venom," adds the doctor from Hospital Vital Brazil.
Antivenoms are distributed by the Unified Health System (SUS) to public and private hospitals, but not all facilities offer the treatment. The Ministry of Health's website provides a list of referral hospitals for treating accidents involving venomous animals.
It's also important to alert authorities to the animal's presence, as Butantan biologist Paulo Goldoni points out: "The correct approach is to place the arachnid in a jar of alcohol and contact the municipal Zoonosis Control Center. Notification is essential, as only then can public control policies be implemented, such as mapping the distribution of scorpions in the municipality."
What not to do in case of a biteIn addition to seeking medical attention, the most important thing is to avoid home remedies and practices, as they can worsen the situation, as experts consulted by IstoÉ warn:
do not apply ice or cold compresses, as this can worsen the pain;
do not apply any type of substance to the bite site, such as alcohol, toothpaste or coffee powder;
do not apply a tourniquet or garrote near the bite;
do not suck the bite site with your mouth.
Although rarer, pets can also be bitten by scorpions. However, there is no veterinary antivenom available for scorpion stings in dogs and cats. In these cases, treatment is based on symptoms, such as pain (which can be severe and persistent), swelling, and redness. It's recommended to take your pet to the vet as soon as possible and avoid home remedies.
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