THRILLIST – A lawsuit filed by Michael Farchi, 62, detailed a terrifying encounter with a scorpion at the Venetian Las Vegas.
The scorpion reportedly stung Farchi on his genitals, which Farchi claimed gave him emotional trauma and impacted his sex life.
The incident occurred in December 2023, but the lawsuit was filed in late August, according to WKBN News.
“I just felt like somebody stabbing me in my private area,” said Farchi. “It felt like a sharp glass or a knife,” Farchi told 8 News Now in an interview in March 2024. “I went to the restroom, and I saw a scorpion hanging on my underwear.”
Upon reading all of this information, there was more that we immediately needed to know. Is it possible to get bitten by a scorpion in a hotel room? Is that common? How do you even look for those terrifying creatures? Thrilist contacted Orkin Entomologist Ben Hottel to answer all of our questions.
First, are Vegas hotels treating scorpions as part of their standard pest control? It’s possible. “Orkin treats homes for scorpions in regions where they’re commonly found,” Hottel said.
“Treatment includes inspecting the area to fill entry points, recommending modifications that help cut down on habitats for scorpions, and using targeted treatments to areas where scorpions are likely to hide.”
Hottel said it is common to find scorpions indoors in desert environments like Las Vegas. “They end up indoors in search of food, water, or shelter. They’re most commonly found in basements, attics, garages, bathrooms, and kitchens,” Hottel said. “Since scorpions are nocturnal, they’re more likely to be spotted indoors at night.”
If you are now haunted by the idea of crawling into bed with scorpions or finding scorpions in your underpants, there are fortunately ways that you can sweep your hotel room for scorpions when you first check in …
