Centipedes are the ultimate creepy crawly that everyone loves to hate. Few things create more fright than insects with a multitude of legs. So, it stands to reason that the centipede, while mostly harmless to humans, is regarded as one of the more disgusting household pests. These predatory arthropods come out of the woodwork in the spring and fall, just in time for Halloween. Spring is when the eggs hatch after they have overwintered in your home.
There are four species of centipedes in the United States. Of those, the house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) is the most common in the Tri-State area. These moisture loving insectivores are usually found in damp, dark places, such as basements. Their diet consists of all the other common household pests, such as bed bugs, ants, silverfish, and spiders. While some experts claim that this makes them a handy in-house pest control service, they are venomous and will sting humans when cornered. So it’s suggested that you don’t attempt to handle them. Their sting typically only causes mild irritation at the site but can be worse if a person is allergic.
Centipede Facts
- They can’t survive temperatures below freezing.
- Centipede means “100 footed” but the house centipede has 30 legs.
- The number of legs a centipede has depends on their body segments and differs depending on the species.
- They have an exoskeleton that periodically molts as the centipede grows.
- They can regrow entire limbs.
How To Prevent an Infestation
Centipedes prefer dark areas and dampness, so preventing water issues in your home is a good start, and using a dehumidifier when humidity is typically high can help as well.
Seal up any cracks you have on the exterior of your home.
As their main food source is other insects, simply preventing their food source from entering your home to begin with is the best course of action.
We recommend that our customers give us a call for preventative treatment or to get set up on any of our affordable treatment plans. However, if you are already seeing centipedes in your home, now is the time to call us for removal. We can treat at any point, so give us a call today.
At Romans Pest Management, we know that people tend to wait until they have exhausted all options before resorting to a professional. We get it! But, like most other professions, we’ll be the first to say, don’t wait! Instead of wasting time and money on over-the-counter products that are ineffective or wrong for the job, just give us a call to get it done right the first time. We’ll come out and do a FREE no-pressure inspection. If you’re not happy with the estimated amount, we’ll leave, no harm done.
Conveniently located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Romans Pest Management serves the whole Tri-State area, including Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana.