How to Get Rid of Centipedes in Your House

When you hear the term “creepy and crawly,” one of the first things that comes to mind is a centipede. Fun fact: Centipedes aren’t actually insects; they’re arthropods (creatures with no spine, joint segments and hard shells — like spiders). However, that doesn’t make them any less icky. Below is some more information, along with some tips on how to get rid of centipedes in your house.

Where do centipedes come from?

If you have centipedes in your home, they are likely seeking one of three things: moisture, shelter or food. Centipedes like damp environments, so they may be attracted to a leaking pipe in your kitchen or bathroom – or you may find them in your basement or floor drain. They tend to come from other secluded and damp areas like leaves, stones, tree bark or mulch. So while centipedes can survive outdoors, they prefer taking shelter inside people’s homes once they’ve made their way past the foundation.

What do centipedes eat?

This brings us to the third and most important reason you might find a centipede in your house: food. Unlike millipedes, centipedes are carnivorous – so if you’re asking yourself what centipedes eat, they feed on bugs. This can be good for your garden, but it is often a nuisance for your house. As nocturnal creatures, centipedes hide during the day and emerge at night to prey on insects like silverfish, cockroaches, spiders, crickets, termites, roaches and moths.

Therefore, while they are harmless, the presence of a house centipede could very well be a sign of a bigger pest problem.

Here are some DIY methods for killing centipedes:

Capture Them

Since centipedes don’t usually invade in large numbers, you may be able to capture one under a jar or cup and then either relocate it or squash it. Just don’t do it with your bare hands, or it might bite! You could also try using a sticky trap (the kind used to capture mice).

Ventilate

If you’ve come across a centipede, consider improving ventilation in crawl spaces or basements with humidity issues. Keeping the windows open and leaving the fan on are other ways to maintain good air circulation.

Buy a Dehumidifier

If you haven’t already done so, invest in a dehumidifier as well as exhaust fans for your bathroom or attic. Doing so will eliminate moisture and kill not just centipedes, but also other rodents.

Use a Spray

Use an expanding foam spray to seal any cracks or gaps arounds your doors, windows, siding or pipes. Along with caulk and mesh screens, this creates a barrier to prevent entry of centipedes as well as other pests.

You can also use an insecticide and apply it around baseboards, doors, windows or any other crevices you see.

Just be careful when using chemical sprays and dusts, as not all are approved for indoor use. One must also practice caution when using these substances around children or pets.

Bottom Line:

Although these methods may help you get rid of centipedes in your house, you want to ensure that you resolve your centipede problem quickly and completely. That’s why we recommend hiring a pest control service like Dominion. We are professionals that will not only help you eliminate your existing problem, but also prevent centipedes and any other critters from returning. Remember, the main reason you have these unwelcome house guests is because they’ve come to prey on other insects in your home.

Call us today at (717) 393-7879 or contact us here to learn about our pest control services and how we can help you get rid of centipedes for good.