Nobody wants these leggy bugs creeping around their home.
Learn how to prevent and eliminate them quickly.
Kelsey Hansen
Centipedes are leggy insects that are generally harmless.
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
While there are various centipedes, only the house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) will reproduce indoors.
Their presence may also indicate moisture in your home or aninsect infestationyou should address.
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Causes of House Centipede Infestations
House centipedes thrive in warm, humid places.
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They are attracted to damp areas with high humidity and food sources.
They feed on termites, cockroaches, bedbugs, and flies.
If you are already dealing with an insect orfly infestation, centipedes will likely invade to help.
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
House centipedes gain access to homes through cracks in the foundation and other openings.
These critters are sensitive to light.
They seek shelter during the day and come out in the dark to find food.
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
Thus, it can be challenging to spot them.
Excess mulch, decaying leaves, and tree bark outside a house also provide moist shelter that attracts centipedes.
Then, use traps, insecticides, or natural repellents to drive them out.
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
Eliminate food sources:The presence of house centipedes could indicate another insect infestation.
Eliminate roaches, moths,pill bugs, silverfish, termites, and other potential food sources.
Spray vinegar:Spray house centipedes withwhite vinegarto kill them.
Do not dilute the vinegar with water.
Use natural repellants:House centipedes are sensitive to strong scents and avoid areas with strong aromas.
you might use pandan leaves to deter centipedes.
While they may smell impressive to humans, the scent drives away house centipedes and other pests.
Other natural repellants include lemongrass and essential oils like tea tree and peppermint.
Sprinkle salt around damp areas or wall cracks:Sprinkle salt in places where water accumulates.
This might include around pets' water containers, window sills, and basements.
Insecticides containing bifenthrin or cypermethrin are known to kill centipedes on contact.
Because insecticides are poisonous, follow the instructions and safety guidelines.
Always keep these away from children and pets.
Mothballs:Mothballs produce naphthalene gas that is toxic to house centipedes.
Put mothballs in places where you have spotted house centipedes to reduce their number considerably.
Boric acid:This is a low-toxicity option for getting rid of house centipedes.
Boric acid kills them through dehydration.
Apply the acid along all possible entry points.
Leave the powder for a few days, then vacuum it up.
Sticky traps:Place glue traps where house centipedes have been seen or are likely to hide.
They will become trapped in place when they crawl onto the sticky surface.
Once the centipedes have been eliminated, remove the tape and safely dispose of it in outside trash cans.
They have the relevant knowledge and tools to address this problem effectively.
They can also offer integrated pest management that combines strategies to manage and prevent infestations.
Last, centipedes seek damp and dark places to provide protection.
Also, address any existing insect or fly infestations.
