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What are centipedes?
Centipedes are pests that should be unwelcome guests on your property. Worldwide, an estimated 8,000 species of centipedes are thought to exist, of which 3,000 have been described.
While the largest centipede can grow as long as 150 mm, most don’t grow longer than 40 mm. Centipedes are usually yellow or dark brown, and some have dark stripes and markings across their bodies. They can have tens to hundreds of fast scuttling legs.
All centipedes have a pair of antennae, and their body segments have one pair of legs each. This distinguishes centipedes from millipedes which have two pairs of legs on each body segment.
Most centipede species will lay eggs, but some give birth to live baby centipedes. As the centipede gets older, it will molt and gain new body segments. Most centipedes live longer than one year, while some centipedes have even lived up to six years.
Centipedes are nocturnal predators. They love to eat household insects and spiders. They kill their prey by using their poisonous pincers.
Are centipedes dangerous?
Even with their poisonous pincers, a centipede bite is usually not a problem for humans. House centipedes are more of a danger to the insects living in basements than you.
A centipede bite can cause a painful sting for a human or large animals like dogs and cats. The large scolopendra centipede bites can leave the area sore for days. Even though they can leave a nasty burn, centipede venom isn’t lethal if you aren’t a bug.
If a centipede bites you, wash the bite area with soap and water, apply heat, then use a cold compress on the swelling. If you start feeling dizzy, have trouble breathing, or feel your throat swelling, seek medical attention immediately.
Why do I have a centipede problem?
A dark and damp area makes an ideal home for nuisance pests like centipedes. You will want to clean up your sinks and basements to keep unwelcome centipedes away.
If you have pest problems in your home already, centipedes will want these pests for their meal. Spiders, cockroaches, flies, and silverfish can all attract centipedes into your property.
Water leaks or moisture spots in the unchecked spots of your house are great places for centipedes to live and hunt. You might not see centipedes out during the day, making them harder to track down.
Where will I find centipedes?
When you look around the inside of your house, check on the secluded and moist areas for centipedes. These are places like bathroom tubs, potted plants, utility closets, and basement corners.
Check under stones, piles of leaves or mulch, stacks of firewood, and outdoor furniture when you are outside. Centipedes hide in these areas to protect themselves from predators. Centipedes will also use cracks in your foundation to get in and out of your home.
Humid conditions are welcoming for centipedes. You might keep your house temperature low, but centipedes will search for the warmest and wettest part of your home.
How do I get rid of centipedes?
You will want to talk to pest control professionals to get rid of centipedes. With many pest control services out there, your best choice is Phenom Pest Protection.
We are a local, family-owned business committed to offering our customers the best service and results. Our team has the experience, knowledge, and tools to keep centipedes out of your home.
We don’t use the same pest control treatment for every customer. We work with you to create a customized treatment plan for the property’s specific needs.
Don’t waste time looking for a pest control option. Call Phenom Pest Protection today!
How can I prevent centipedes in the future?
In addition to our home pest control and commercial pest control services, protect your property from pests with the following prevention tips:
Exterior tips
- Sealing off cracks or gaps in the foundation or around doors and windows won’t just keep out centipedes. It will prevent other outdoor pests from coming inside.
- Don’t stack trash or firewood directly against the wall of your home
- Don’t leave piles of debris around your yard or next to your home
Interior tips
- Don’t put off fixing leaks and moisture issues in your home. A leaky toilet or basement pipe may attract more of these pests.
- Use dehumidifiers in basements and other damp areas to keep the moisture content of the air below 55% relative humidity.
- Vacuum regularly to clean up any dead bugs that centipedes will see as a meal.
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Phenom Pest Protection received an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 354 reviews.
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