Things To Know About Centipedes

Centipedes are one of the most common pests you can find on your property. They are known for being significant eye sores. They have multiple sets of spindly legs and long abdomens and are commonly found in crawl spaces, basements, and other dark habitats. If they are disturbed, they will usually scurry off. Despite their scary appearance, they are rarely dangerous. Contact Rove Pest Control if you do not want such scary insects to roam around your house. 

Things to know about centipedes

Centipedes are multi-legged arthropods that typically have long, segmented bodies. They belong to the Myriapoda subphylum, which also includes millipedes. They are also predators of insects and other small animals found in various habitats worldwide.

How can you identify a centipede?

The easiest way to identify a centipede is by its many legs. Depending on the species, they can have anywhere from 15 to 177 pairs of legs. They also have a long, segmented body with one pair of legs per segment. Centipedes are typically brown or red in color and range in size from 1 to 6 inches long.

Differentiating between centipedes and millipedes

Centipedes contain one pair of legs per body segment, while millipedes have two pairs. Centipedes are predators that eat insects and other small animals, while millipedes are primarily herbivorous, feeding on decaying leaves and other plant matter. Centipedes are faster and more agile than millipedes, and they can also deliver a painful bite with their poison claws.

Do centipedes bite?

Usually, they do not bite, but when threatened, they might. Their bites feel generally similar to bee stings, and the pain does not last long. The bites usually clear up on their own or can be treated with over-the-counter medications. 

Are centipedes poisonous?

There are about 3,000 species of centipede in the world, and only a handful of those are poisonous to humans. Most centipedes prefer to eat insects, but a few larger species have been known to feed on mammals and reptiles. Centipede bites usually are not fatal but can cause intense pain, swelling, inflammation, and even necrosis.

What kills a centipede?

Centipede Killers Use sticky traps, baits, or insecticides to kill centipedes. Insecticides that contain boric acid or pyrethrin are effective. Boric acid kills centipedes by dehydrating them. It is safe to use around children and pets.

How to get rid of centipedes at home?

There is no surefire way to get rid of centipedes, but there are a few things you can do to discourage them from taking up residence in your home:

1. Seal any cracks or gaps in the foundation or exterior of your home.
2. Eliminate moisture sources inside your home, such as leaky pipes or dampness in crawl spaces.
3. Reduce the clutter in your home, which provides hiding places for centipedes.
4. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove centipedes (and their eggs) from your home.

Ivan Brandt