WSU Extension

Pestsense

Pseudoscorpions

(revision date: 7/14/2015)


Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful pest management.

Biology
Pseudoscorpions are flattened, oval-shaped, and related to spiders. Pseudoscorpions are commonly found in houses but also occur outside under loose bark, dead leaves, etc. Although these tiny creatures (usually in the neighborhood of 1/8 inch long) somewhat resemble true scorpions, they lack a stinging mechanism and are thus harmless. They feed mostly on small insects, and are therefore beneficial. Pseudoscorpions spin small, disk-shaped, whitish, cocoon-like structures in which they lay eggs, overwinter, or shed their skins. These cocoon-like structures may be found in various locations (floor joists, firewood, etc.) where pseudoscorpions have been present.
Management Options

Non-Chemical Management
  • Avoid stacking firewood indoors.
  • Only bring in the amount of wood you are going to burn at any one time.
  • Examine clothes drying on outdoor clothes lines before bringing them inside as they are sometimes found here as well.
Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

Chemical Management
IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides

None recommended.

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Caption: Pseudoscorpin
Photo by: Lindsay du Toit