You’ve probably stumbled upon a long, flat, wormlike critter with a ton of legs scurry across the bathroom floor at one point or another. This pest is known as the house centipede and it belongs to a diverse group of arthropods found in North America. They are often referred to as “hundred-leggers”, and they look much scarier than they actually are.
At Official Pest Prevention, we think it’s important to let our customers know all about this pest in particular, so they can have their minds at ease if they find it in their home.
Understanding The House Centipede
The house centipede is Scutigera coleoptrata and is only dangerous if you happen to be another insect such as a bed bug, cockroach, spider, or a termite. What you have there is a tiny exterminator that can help get rid of other pests.
House centipedes may look scary, but the facts about them and their behavior are not. If you think you have too many house centipedes in your property, don’t hesitate and call a professional pest control service to help you get rid of them.
Legs, Legs, and More Legs
The first thing you may notice about this insect is its legs. The very name “centipede”, means a hundred feet. It may look like it has a hundred legs, but in reality, it has 15 pairs of legs. It also has a pair of very long antenna on its head. Most of these creatures are yellowish-gray and have stripes down their bodies and across their legs.
There are a couple of reasons why they have so many legs. First, it helps them be very fast. They are both predators and prey, so their 1.3 feet-per-second speed is very helpful. Second, you can never tell which end of the centipede is the front or the back, which can actually deter predators.
Different Types of Legs
The pair of legs located right near the head and the mouth of the house centipede have been modified to carry venom. This means, technically, that they can sting their prey rather than bite. The poison is very potent for smaller insects such as termites. They are also capable of holding multiple victims in their legs. And, if any of their legs get caught, they can break them off and scurry away.
House centipedes are active hunters, they don’t build webs or traps, instead, they use their legs to jump on their prey or wrap them in.
House Centipede Behavior
Centipedes are night owls. Some centipede species invade homes, but humans rarely see them during the day. They typically hide in damp areas around the house, such as bathrooms, basements, and closets. At night is when centipedes are most active, as they forage for food.
Centipedes are carnivorous. They feed on many types of small household pests, including spiders, flies, cockroaches, etc. They all have poor eyesight, so they detect their prey through their antennae. Actually, some of them don’t even have eyes.
The common house centipede can live for more than a year, in fact, their lifespan is considered long among anthropods.
Why Are House Centipedes In My House?
House centipedes prefer warm, tropical, humid climates. Their eyes are very sensitive to light, so they will most likely find a place to hide during the day. For homeowners, it is more likely to see them in their basements, bathrooms and other areas that get wet and humid.
It is also highly possible for the average centipede to live its entire life on the bottom floor of a building, eating insects and living life at its fullest without being disturbed.
House centipedes are typically attracted to your home for food and shelter. Here’s what draws them in:
- Moisture: High humidity levels in basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and crawl spaces create ideal breeding grounds for centipedes.
- Food Sources: Since house centipedes feed on other insects, the presence of pests like cockroaches, silverfish, and ants can invite them into your home.
- Warmth: During colder months, centipedes seek warmth, which can drive them indoors.
- Clutter: Piles of cardboard boxes, papers, and other debris create hiding spots for centipedes and their prey.
Understanding these factors is crucial to preventing a centipede infestation in the first place.
How to Avoid Getting House Centipedes in Your Home
Prevention is always better than dealing with an infestation. Follow these 10 tips to keep house centipedes out of your home:
1. Reduce Moisture Levels
House centipedes thrive in damp areas, so reducing moisture is key. Use a dehumidifier in basements or crawl spaces and ensure proper ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens. Fix any leaky pipes, faucets, or HVAC systems immediately.
2. Seal Cracks and Gaps
House centipedes often enter homes through small cracks in doors, windows, and walls. Inspect your home for potential entry points and seal them with silicone caulk. Don’t forget to check areas around utility pipes and vents.
3. Eliminate Other Pests
Since centipedes feed on other insects, a pest-free home is less attractive to them. Schedule regular pest control services to eliminate common centipede prey like spiders, ants, and cockroaches.
4. Declutter Your Home
Remove unnecessary clutter, especially in basements, attics, and closets where centipedes like to hide. This includes old cardboard boxes, stacks of paper, and unused items that provide shelter for pests.
5. Maintain Your Yard
Centipedes can enter your home from outdoor areas, so proper yard maintenance is essential. Keep grass trimmed, clear away fallen leaves, and remove piles of wood or debris close to your home’s foundation.
6. Install Weather Stripping
Add weather stripping around doors and windows to block potential entry points. This not only prevents centipedes but also keeps other insects and pests outside.
7. Use Sticky Traps
Set up sticky traps in areas where you’ve seen centipedes, such as basements and corners of bathrooms. While this won’t eliminate an infestation, it can reduce their population.
8. Clean Regularly
Regular cleaning helps eliminate hiding spots and reduces the risk of centipedes taking up residence. Pay special attention to dark, damp areas and ensure your floors, carpets, and baseboards are cleaned thoroughly.
9. Use Natural Repellents
Essential oils like tea tree, lavender, and peppermint have natural repellent properties that can deter centipedes. Mix a few drops of essential oil with water and spray it around baseboards, windows, and doors.
10. Inspect Firewood
If you store firewood outdoors, keep it at least 20 feet away from your home. Centipedes often hide in woodpiles, and bringing untreated firewood indoors can lead to an infestation.
Are House Centipedes Dangerous To People?
They are not. The only way a house centipede can be dangerous to people is by handling one, then they might bite a person. They would much rather reserve their venom for food and humans are not quite their taste.
If someone is bitten, it will most likely only cause a reddish bump. Most people, if not allergic to stings, should feel no effects at all. If allergic, they may need to see a doctor and make sure they don’t have an allergic reaction.
Signs of House Centipede Infestation
Centipedes typically leave no direct evidence other than being spotted in a sink or tub and being seen quickly running across floors or climbing on walls and ceilings.
House Centipede Exterminators Near You
Of course, house centipedes can become a nuisance, too, like many pests. If you live in cities such as Sacramento and are noticing a lot of them in your home, then you may also have an underlying problem with other pest insects. There’s a reason they want to be in your home and it’s probably to feed! If this is the case, contact Official Pest Prevention for professional help.
Official Pest Prevention is equipped to handle any infestations you may have. Whether you live in a commercial area or a residential one, if you say hello to us, you’ll be saying goodbye to those pesky bugs.
If you have any questions at all about our highly-rated services, then please feel free to contact us. We’re always eager to help out.
Official Pest Prevention is a family-owned, licensed pest control company celebrating 20 years serving over 100,000 satisfied customers in five area codes throughout Northern and Central California. Starting with a few contacts, and only four full-time employees, our small company has grown into an organization that today employs over 100 people, maintains a fleet of 75 vehicles, and has serviced over 100,000 Northern California households. This tremendous growth has come from loyal customers, who have recommended our work to their friends, family, and neighbors.
We are a full-service pest control company. Whatever your pest problem, we have a solution. Our goal is to make your property pest-free. Guaranteed. Contact us online or by phone (877) 711 2847 – for immediate assistance. Same-day bookings and flexible payment plans available – because pest invasions wait for no one.
