House Centipedes

What are House Centipedes?

House Centipedes belong to the family Chilopoda and are not an insect, but a common arthropod relative. They are easily recognizable due to their many legs. These “hundred-footed creatures” are commonly found throughout most of the US and the entire world. They are usually yellowish to dark brown in color and may have darker stripes or markings. Centipedes are long and flat and an adult can range in size from 1/8 to 6 inches in length. They have worm-like bodies of many segments. Each segment has one pair of legs. “Centi-” means 100, and “-pede” refers to legs, but centipedes may actually have 15-177 legs. The first pair form claw-like poison fangs. The last two point backward. First instars have only 4 segments, but with each molt more are added. House Centipedes feed on silverfish, firebrats, carpet beetle larvae, cockroaches, bed bugs, spiders and other small arthropods

Why do I have them?

House Centipedes are nocturnal creatures that live mainly outdoors, but may come inside. They live in damp places, such as rotting logs, under stones, in trash, mulch, clippings and can find conditions indoors like moist basements or closets that mimic their natural environment. They can build up in quite large numbers on the outside in the summer months and may well enter the house through cracks and other openings and continue to ‘infest’ the home.

Are they dangerous?

Although a Centipede bite can be painful, there are no long-lasting effects.

How do I get rid of House Centipedes?

American Pest is your best option to get rid of your House Centipede problem. Because they are predacious and feed on other small creatures, it will help to keep populations of insects that may serve as a food source at low levels, something our pest control professionals are trained to do. It will also help to remove harborage by closing up cracks and other openings that may provide a place to hide. Reduction of moisture is also useful as they thrive in cool damp locations.

Can I do it myself?

Controlling House Centipedes using Do-It-Yourself methods does not prove to be effective in many cases. Locating the source of the infestation indoors and out is the key – something which American Pest’s experienced pest control professionals are trained to do.

How soon can you get here?

At American Pest we pride ourselves in our quick response times and our quality service. For that reason we will endeavor to be with you the same or very next day.

Is the treatment safe?

Every product used by American Pest has undergone extensive testing by the EPA and has been accepted for pest control use. Only after it has been EPA registered do we use and apply it following a strict set of guidelines. This means you can be assured it will not cause any harm to humans or pets.

How can I prevent this in the future?

Preventing House Centipedes is a very difficult task as your property provides so many ideal sheltering conditions that appeal to these insects. Cleaning up your woods to remove dead or rotting logs, removing mulch or lawn clippings as well as taking care of your trash will make your property less attractive to House Centipedes.