You wake up in the early hours of the morning and sleepily make your coffee in the kitchen when you see it – a house centipede. It’s crawling quickly, almost like at the speed of light, on your wall with what seems like a thousand legs. You shiver and immediately keep an eye out for more.
House centipedes are very common pests, especially in Mount Washington. While they are harmless creatures, they are definitely not welcomed into your home. How do you know if you have house centipedes? Why are they in your home to begin with? How can you prevent them from infesting your home? How do you get rid of them? By the end of this article, you’ll have the answer to all of these questions.
What Do Centipedes Look Like?
Centipedes are known for their many, many legs. While their name suggests that they have hundreds of legs, they actually only have 15 pairs of them. Two of their legs in the rear are much longer than the rest. They can be twice as long on the body of female centipedes.
House centipedes have long bodies that are usually a yellowish color. They also have two long antennae on their head, which can be mistaken for the long pair of legs they have in the rear.
These critters move extremely quickly, so you may only get a glimpse of them, especially during the day since they prefer to be out during the night.
Are House Centipedes Dangerous?
The first thing Mount Washington homeowners want to know when they have unexpected pests in their homes is if they are in danger. In the case of house centipedes, they are not dangerous to humans.
However, if you go and handle a house centipede, they may bite you in defense. There isn’t much to worry about except for a bit of pinch. If you are allergic to bee stings, you may get some redness and should keep an eye on it, though.
While house centipedes don’t pose any threat to humans, they are quite vicious hunters of other pests in your home. Their two long legs are venomous to their victims, which they use to attack their prey before feasting.
Why Do You Have Centipedes in Your House?
Pests don’t randomly show up in your house because they feel like it. There is at least one reason why they have claimed a stake in your home. Below are just some of the things that attract house centipedes inside.
Warmth and Shelter
House centipedes originated in the Mediterranean and were eventually found in Mexico. Therefore, they prefer warm climates. When winter comes to Mount Washington, you can expect to find these pests searching your home for warmth and shelter from the harsh winds outside.
Damp or Humid Atmosphere
If your home, especially your basement, is humid and damp, then you’re practically inviting house centipedes to come. You will often find these creatures under sinks, in bathtubs, or under leaking pipes in your basement.
They love being in a humid environment, so if you have a lot of moisture in the air, you’re at risk of having a house centipede infestation.
They’re Hunting for Food
House centipedes are carnivorous and enjoy hunting their prey at night. With their quick movements and venomous legs, they are quite successful hunters. However, they won’t come into your home unless you’re also housing what they eat.
So what’s in your home that could be attracting house centipedes? The most common insects they find in Mount Washington homes include cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, and carpet beetles. So, if you see a centipede crawling around your house, it means you have other unwanted guests scurrying around. But don’t worry, we can help.
Some people are even thankful for house centipedes in their homes because they take care of these other, more harmful, pests. However, no home feels 100% safe when you have wild insects invading it.
How to Prevent House Centipedes from Invading
The first step to preventing an infestation is to identify what attracts the pest, which we’ve just done! Next, let’s see what steps you can take to make sure a house centipede doesn’t find its way into your home.
Lower the Humidity
If you find that the air in your home has a bit of moisture, you may want to consider investing in a dehumidifier. This is especially helpful during the spring and summer months and will deter house centipedes from coming into your home.
Sometimes in the winter, people use humidifiers to put more moisture in the dry air. While this usually doesn’t pose a problem that attracts house centipedes, it’s something to be aware of when you do use one.
Get Rid of Damp Areas
It’s time to go leak hunting in your home if you want to prevent centipedes from coming inside. Check the pipes under your sinks and in the basement for small leaks. Make sure your sink and shower drains are fully draining water. These little puddles are just calling to house centipedes.
Seal Cracks and Openings
House centipedes are clever little pests that can squeeze through the narrowest cracks to get into your Mount Washington home. Make sure no openings and holes are leading into your house; if there are, seal them up quickly.
Exterminate Their Prey
Again, the most attractive thing to house centipedes is the food your home can provide. If you notice cockroaches, spiders, beetles, or other insects in your home, house centipedes won’t be far behind.
Set an appointment with an experienced pest control company to take care of these minor (or large) infestations to prevent house centipedes from wandering inside for their next meal.
Get Rid of House Centipedes Once and For All
Maybe it’s a little too late to take preventative measures to avoid a house centipede invasion. If that’s the case, then you need to call Mount Washington’s most trusted exterminator, Brody Brothers Pest Control!
Our team of expert professionals will effectively and safely get rid of house centipedes, cockroaches, spiders, and other unwanted pests from your home. As the area’s leading pest control company, you can count on us.
Call us to schedule a consultation and see how we can take care of your house centipede problem today!
I have been spraying lavender around the house, especially at the base of the walls. It seems to have no affect on them. Tbey are still around. I was told they don’t like lavender.