What states have scorpions?

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page

The short answer
Map
State by state
Species guides
How this is answered
Sources

The short answer

Official sources confirm scorpions in 27 states, rare in 2 of them.

Official sources say they do not live in Wisconsin, or have no established population there. For Virginia, official sources differ. For Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont and West Virginia we found no official statement either way. That does not mean they are absent.

Map

Each state is colored by what its official sources say. Gray means no official statement in our sources, not absence.

Yes, per official sources
Yes, but rare
Sources differ
No, per official sources
No official statement found

State by state

State	Scorpions here?	What the official sources say	Source
Alabama	Yes	Three types can be found; two are native. The source does not name the third. “Three types of scorpions can be found in Alabama. Of these, only two species are native and commonly find their way into garages, basements, and homes”	Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Arizona	Yes	Arizona bark scorpion, Arizona giant hairy scorpion, Arizona stripe-tailed scorpion and Yellow ground scorpion on the official list.	University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
Arkansas	Yes	The striped bark scorpion occurs throughout Arkansas and is most abundant in the more western counties. “The only scorpion known to occur in Arkansas is the common striped bark scorpion”	University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum
California	Yes	Bark Scorpion, Arizona Hairy Scorpion and Stripedtail Scorpion on the official list.	University of California Statewide IPM Program
Colorado	Yes	CSU Extension says three scorpion species are confirmed in Colorado and none has venom associated with dangerous complications. “Three species of scorpions are confirmed to occur in Colorado.”	Colorado State University, Department of Agricultural Biology
Florida	Yes	Several scorpion species occur in Florida; UF/IFAS says none can inflict a lethal sting. “None of the several species of scorpions that occur in Florida is capable of inflicting a lethal sting.”	UF/IFAS Extension
Georgia	Yes	UGA (2003) says at least two scorpion species are native to Georgia, the Southern devil and the striped scorpion, and that they are not considered life-threatening. “At least two species, Gray said, are native to Georgia: the Southern devil (Vejovis carolinianus) and striped (Centruroides vittatus) scorpions.”	UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Hawaii	Yes	Bishop Museum: found on O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island; painful sting, but no neurotoxin like some mainland scorpions, so the sting is more like a bee's. “It has a painful sting, but it does not have a neurotoxin like some of its mainland cousins, so the sting is more like that of a bee.”	Bishop Museum
Idaho	Yes	Northern scorpion, yellow devil scorpion and black hairy scorpion; none is medically important, per UI Extension. “Idaho has three species of scorpion”	University of Idaho Extension
Kansas	Yes	K-State: only one scorpion species occurs naturally in Kansas, Centruroides vittatus; its sting is painful and its venom is low in toxicity to humans, though some people react strongly. “Only one species of scorpion is known to occur naturally throughout Kansas — Centruroides vittatus, commonly called the striped bark scorpion.”	K-State Research and Extension
Kentucky	Yes	The southern devil scorpion occurs in Kentucky; its sting is a sharp pain usually lasting 15 to 20 minutes (UK Extension). “The southern devil scorpion, Vejovis carolinianus, occurs in several southeastern states, including Kentucky.”	University of Kentucky Department of Entomology
Mississippi	Yes	Southern devil (unstriped) scorpion, mostly in the northeast; striped bark scorpion, rare and possibly brought in accidentally. “Scorpions in Mississippi? They are not that common, but they are here. Actually, there are two species, southern devil scorpions and striped bark scorpions.”	Mississippi State University Extension Service
Missouri	Yes	MDC: the striped bark scorpion is the only scorpion species in Missouri; MDC lists it as venomous. “It is the only species of scorpion in Missouri.”	MDC
Montana	Yes	The Northern Scorpion, best found in the southeast along sandstone cliff areas. “Best places to find this species in Montana are in the southeast along sandstone cliff areas, such as the Rims around Billings or cliffs in the Bighorn Canyon.”	Montana Natural Heritage Program (Montana State Library) with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: Montana Field Guide
Nebraska	Yes	One species, the striped bark scorpion, in parts of south-central Nebraska along the Kansas border. “Nebraskans likely are unfamiliar that one species of scorpion inhabits parts of south-central Nebraska along the Kansas border.”	Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Nevada	Yes	Bark Scorpion on the official list.	University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
New Mexico	Yes	Bark Scorpion and Peloncillo Scorpion on the official list.	New Mexico Department of Wildlife
North Carolina	Yes	The southern unstriped (southern devil) scorpion is found primarily in western NC; two striped scorpions have been introduced accidentally. “…there is a species of scorpion found primarily in western North Carolina.”	NC State Extension
Oklahoma	Yes	OSU: five scorpion species have been found in Oklahoma (OSU EPP-7303: an estimated three to five), and only one is found throughout the state; the most common species is the striped bark scorpion. “While there are about 50 species of scorpions in the United States, only five have been found in Oklahoma and only one is found throughout the state.”	Oklahoma State University Extension, School IPM program
Oregon	Yes	OSU Extension identifies the western forest scorpion (Uroctonus mordax) in western Oregon; the Oregon Poison Center says the Northwest Forest Scorpion has been found in the Cascade foothills. “These scorpions are found in the mountainous and western parts of California, western Oregon and southwestern Washington.”	Oregon State University Extension Service
Tennessee	Yes	UT Extension's home pest guide covers scorpions but names no species. GBIF holds 53 preserved specimens of Vaejovis carolinianus from Tennessee. No official source checked states where in Tennessee scorpions occur or how dangerous they are. “Other organisms such as spiders, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, ticks, sowbugs, pillbugs, mites, rats, mice, snakes, bats, squirrels, birds, molds and fungi may also enter homes.”	University of Tennessee Extension
Texas	Yes	AgriLife Extension: 18 species; only the striped bark scorpion occurs statewide. Stings from Texas scorpions usually cause only moderate reactions. “Texas has 18 species, but only one, the striped bark scorpion, occurs throughout the state.”	Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Utah	Yes	USU Extension recognizes 9 scorpion species in Utah, mostly in the south. Only the Arizona bark scorpion (Kane County) is potentially harmful to humans. “…but only 9 are recognized in Utah”	Utah State University Extension
Washington	Yes	A WSU repository record describes a study of the northern scorpion at the Hanford Site in southcentral Washington. WSU Entomology says it is not known to sting humans. “Habitat distribution and seasonality of the northern scorpion, Paruroctonus boreus (Girard) (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), at the Hanford Site, southcentral Washington State”	Washington State University
Wyoming	Yes	University of Wyoming Extension: the northern scorpion (Paruroctonus boreus) is the only scorpion species known to inhabit Wyoming. “Yes. The Northern Scorpion (Paruroctonus boreus) is the only species known to inhabit Wyoming.”	University of Wyoming Extension
Illinois	Yes, but rare	INHS: Illinois is home to a single scorpion species. IDNR: it may be found in southwestern Illinois and its venom has a low toxicity. It is on the 2025 Illinois endangered list. “Illinois is home to a single scorpion species”	Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Louisiana	Rarely	LDWF: the Southern Unstriped Scorpion is restricted in Louisiana to West Feliciana Parish. “In Louisiana, restricted to the East Gulf Coastal Plain Southern Loess Bluff Forest of West Feliciana Parish.”	LDWF species profile: Southern Unstriped Scorpion
Virginia	Sources differ	DWR lists one native scorpion, the Carolina Scorpion (Vaejovis carolinianus). The Virginia Poison Center says there are no naturally occurring scorpions in Virginia. “Carolina Scorpion Vaejovis carolinianus”	DWR
Wisconsin	No	Scorpions are not native; a few arrive as hitchhikers, usually the striped bark scorpion, whose venom UW calls mild and not medically dangerous though stings are painful. “While scorpions are common in southern parts of the US, they aren’t native to Wisconsin or the Upper Midwest.”	UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab (Division of Extension / Department of Entomology), P.J. Liesch
Alaska	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
Connecticut	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
Delaware	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
Indiana	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
Iowa	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
Maine	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
Maryland	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
Massachusetts	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
Michigan	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
Minnesota	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
New Hampshire	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
New Jersey	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
New York	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
North Dakota	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
Ohio	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
Pennsylvania	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
Rhode Island	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
South Carolina	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
South Dakota	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
Vermont	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—
West Virginia	No official statement found	No official statement found in our sources; that does not mean they are absent.	—

Species guides

How this is answered

Each state's answer comes from that state's own official sources: its wildlife agency, Extension service or another public body. We use, in order, the state's sourced answer to this question, then the animal's place on the state's official species list, then an official source quoted in our species guide. Where none of these settles it, the state is shown as "No official statement found". We never mark a state as having none without an official statement. Sightings and photo records are not used here. How questions are answered.

Sources

Scorpion Management in Residential Homes. Alabama Cooperative Extension System. published 2021-06-09; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Three types of scorpions can be found in Alabama. Of these, only two species are native and commonly find their way into garages, basements, and homes”
Scorpions of the Desert Southwest United States (az1768). University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. 2018-05; checked November 3, 2026.
Striped bark scorpion (Arkansas Arthropods). University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum (Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology). WordPress modified 2017-07-05; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“The only scorpion known to occur in Arkansas is the common striped bark scorpion”
Pest Notes: Scorpions. University of California Statewide IPM Program (UC ANR, Cooperative Extension). 2011-12; checked November 3, 2026.
Scorpions of Colorado. Colorado State University, Department of Agricultural Biology (Extension entomology). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Three species of scorpions are confirmed to occur in Colorado.”
ENY-215 Stinging or Venomous Insects and Related Pests (Koehler & Diclaro). UF/IFAS Extension (EDIS). Original publication date January 1996; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“None of the several species of scorpions that occur in Florida is capable of inflicting a lethal sting.”
Scorpions not as dangerous as they look. UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES Field Report/newswire). July 17, 2003; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“At least two species, Gray said, are native to Georgia: the Southern devil (Vejovis carolinianus) and striped (Centruroides vittatus) scorpions.”
Good Guys & Bad Guys card 34: Lesser Brown Scorpion. Bishop Museum (Hawaii Biological Survey). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“It has a painful sting, but it does not have a neurotoxin like some of its mainland cousins, so the sting is more like that of a bee.”
Homeowner Guide to Idaho’s Arachnids Around the Home and Field (BUL 1094), Chris A. Hamilton. University of Idaho Extension. September 1, 2025; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Idaho has three species of scorpion”
Studying the striped bark scorpion (INHS video post). Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Mar 12, 2018; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Illinois is home to a single scorpion species”
Household Pests of Kansas, MF3291 (Davis & Whitworth). K-State Research and Extension (Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service). July 2018; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Only one species of scorpion is known to occur naturally throughout Kansas — Centruroides vittatus, commonly called the striped bark scorpion.”
Scorpions in Kentucky (Entfact 633). University of Kentucky Department of Entomology (Cooperative Extension). Revised: 3/26; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“The southern devil scorpion, Vejovis carolinianus, occurs in several southeastern states, including Kentucky.”
LDWF species profile: Southern Unstriped Scorpion. archived copy, captured April 21, 2025; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“In Louisiana, restricted to the East Gulf Coastal Plain Southern Loess Bluff Forest of West Feliciana Parish.”
Southern Devil Scorpion, Bug's Eye View Vol. 4, No. 30. Mississippi State University Extension Service. 2018; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Scorpions in Mississippi? They are not that common, but they are here. Actually, there are two species, southern devil scorpions and striped bark scorpions.”
MDC Field Guide: Land Invertebrates and Butterflies and Moths (selected species accounts). Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“It is the only species of scorpion in Missouri.”
Northern Scorpion - Paruroctonus boreus. Montana Natural Heritage Program (Montana State Library) with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: Montana Field Guide. archived copy, captured October 16, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Best places to find this species in Montana are in the southeast along sandstone cliff areas, such as the Rims around Billings or cliffs in the Bighorn Canyon.”
Nebraska Has Scorpions? Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NEBRASKAland Magazine blog). archived copy, captured September 17, 2025; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Nebraskans likely are unfamiliar that one species of scorpion inhabits parts of south-central Nebraska along the Kansas border.”
Special Publication 06-08: Identification of Common Landscape Pests and Beneficial Organisms in Nevada. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. 2006; checked November 3, 2026.
BISON-M (Biota Information System of New Mexico) species search export: taxonomic name "Scorpiones". New Mexico Department of Wildlife (BISON-M, with Natural Heritage New Mexico). database queried November 3, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
Scorpions in North Carolina. NC State Extension (N.C. Cooperative Extension, NC State University). Publication date: Oct. 1, 1984; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“…there is a species of scorpion found primarily in western North Carolina.”
Scorpions (OSU School IPM common pests sheet). Oklahoma State University Extension, School IPM program. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“While there are about 50 species of scorpions in the United States, only five have been found in Oklahoma and only one is found throughout the state.”
Scorpions in Oregon? (Ask Extension featured question). Oregon State University Extension Service. Published May 2022, Reviewed 2025; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“These scorpions are found in the mountainous and western parts of California, western Oregon and southwestern Washington.”
PB1303 Managing Pests Around the Home. University of Tennessee Extension. 2022; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Other organisms such as spiders, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, ticks, sowbugs, pillbugs, mites, rats, mice, snakes, bats, squirrels, birds, molds and fungi may also enter homes.”
Scorpions (ENTO-PU-032 05/22), Wizzie Brown. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. 05/22 (publication code ENTO-PU-032 05/22; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Texas has 18 species, but only one, the striped bark scorpion, occurs throughout the state.”
Scorpions (USU Extension / Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory fact sheet ENT-68-08). Utah State University Extension. June 2008; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“…but only 9 are recognized in Utah”
List of Native and Naturalized Fauna of Virginia. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). May, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Carolina Scorpion Vaejovis carolinianus”
Habitat distribution and seasonality of the northern scorpion (WSU Research Exchange record). Washington State University. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 88, 07/2012; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Habitat distribution and seasonality of the northern scorpion, Paruroctonus boreus (Girard) (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), at the Hanford Site, southcentral Washington State”
Scorpion Hitchhikers in Wisconsin. UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab (Division of Extension / Department of Entomology), P.J. Liesch. August 29, 2024; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“While scorpions are common in southern parts of the US, they aren’t native to Wisconsin or the Upper Midwest.”
Identify Your House Spiders! (UW Extension SpiderWeb identifying page). University of Wyoming Extension. archived copy, captured August 13, 2022; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Yes. The Northern Scorpion (Paruroctonus boreus) is the only species known to inhabit Wyoming.”