The Life Cycle of Scorpions: Why You See Young Riding on Their Mother’s Back in Austin

Scorpions are a common pest concern for many Austin homeowners, especially during the warm months when they become more active. To better protect your family and home, it helps to understand the life cycle of scorpions—and one of the most fascinating parts is how the young scorpions ride on their mother’s back after birth.

Scorpion Life Cycle: From Birth to Adult

Unlike many insects that hatch from eggs, scorpions give live birth. A female scorpion can deliver anywhere from 20 to 35 young at a time. Once born, these tiny white scorpions immediately climb onto their mother’s back for protection.

They’ll stay there for about one to two weeks, depending on the species and environmental conditions, until they molt their first exoskeleton. During this time, they are completely dependent on their mother for safety. Once they harden and turn a darker color, the young scorpions climb off and begin fending for themselves.

From there, scorpions continue to molt several times over the next two to three years before reaching full maturity. Adult scorpions can live up to five years or more, making them a long-term pest problem if not properly controlled.

Why This Matters for Austin Homeowners

Because young scorpions ride on their mother’s back, seeing one scorpion often means there are more nearby. Female scorpions can also hide in cracks, crevices, and around your home’s foundation, carrying dozens of babies at once.

Here in Austin, TX, the most common species is the striped bark scorpion. They thrive in our warm climate and seek shelter in woodpiles, stone walls, and sometimes even indoors. With scorpions reproducing regularly and living for years, infestations can quickly get out of control without professional treatment.

How TOPS Pest Control Protects Your Home With Our Core Service

At TOPS Pest Control, we use proven methods to reduce scorpion populations around your home. Our team focuses on:

• Identifying hiding spots around landscaping, stone walls, and entry points

• Sealing and treating entryways to keep scorpions from getting inside

• Targeted treatments that reduce both adult scorpions and their food sources (like crickets and spiders)

With our ongoing protection programs, you can rest easy knowing your home is shielded from scorpion activity year-round.

Click here to check out our previous post on how to keep them out of your home

Contact Us to get on our services for a scorpion free home.