Centipedes are long, divided bugs that have a lot of legs. They like to live in damp, dark places like bathrooms, basements, and crawl spaces. They eat other insects, spiders, and other small pests because they are hunters.
Identifying A Centipede Infestation
If you see a few of these things, you may have centipedes in your home. Some of these are:
- Seeing centipedes. This is the clearest sign that you have centipedes. Centipedes are most active at night, so you may see them more often at that time.
- Finding droppings from centipedes. This is what centipede droppings look like: small, dark balls that are often found where centipedes are.
- Finding eggs of centipedes. Small, white sacs called centipede eggs are usually found in damp, dark places.
- Having a bad smell. When centipedes are upset, they can give off a bad smell.
Centipede Hiding Places
It can be hard to find centipedes because they are good at hiding. They are most likely to be found in the following places, though:
- Basements. Sometimes it’s damp and dark in the basement, which is perfect for centipedes.
- Crawl spaces. There are many places for centipedes to hide in crawl spaces because they are damp and dark.
- Bathrooms. Bathrooms are often damp, which is another thing that centipedes like.
- Kitchens. People who live in kitchens often have other bugs that centipedes eat, like spiders and cockroaches.
It is important to call a professional pest control service if you think you have a centipede problem. They will be able to tell you what kind of centipede you have and suggest the best way to treat it.
Here are some additional tips to help prevent centipede infestations:
- Fix any holes or cracks in the foundation or outside of your house.
- Clear out your home and keep it clean.
- Cut down on the amount of wetness in your home.
- Use bug sprays and bug nets.
What Damage Can Centipedes Cause?
All those legs moving around won’t hurt you or your home, except for the fact that it feels gross. Good news, then.
That being said, there may be something in your home that centipedes are drawn to that will hurt it. Because centipedes like to eat bugs, seeing more than one in your home might mean that there are other bugs around. The centipedes will help get rid of the bugs and spiders, but you should call an exterminator right away before the problem gets worse.
Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Centipedes
Centipedes may not be welcome guests in your home, but you don’t have to use strong chemicals to get rid of them. In order to get rid of centipedes naturally in your home, try these:
- Run a dehumidifier: Centipedes will be less interested in your home if you get rid of the water.
- Seal up cracks: Check the base and the spaces around your doors and windows. If you need to, add more glue or sealant to keep bugs and other pests out.
- Spray vinegar: White vinegar is safe to use around the house because it is often used for other things. You can spray it directly on the bugs to kill them; you don’t need to mix it with water first.
- Spray tea tree or peppermint oil: Add some of either to water and spray it in cracks or other places you’ve seen centipedes. These oils are safe for people to eat, but they are poisonous to centipedes.
Call an exterminator if these natural solutions don’t work or if it looks like the centipedes are getting worse. There could be another pest problem that is letting centipedes stay longer than they were supposed to.
10 Ways to Get Rid of Centipedes From Your Home
What do we know about centipedes now? Let’s find out how to get rid of them. Read on!
1. Fill In Any Cracks in Wall
Centipedes can get into our house through little cracks in the walls. To keep centipedes and other bugs from coming inside, check the walls, doors, and every other part of the house for holes, gaps, and cracks and fix them.
This will make it less likely that centipedes will crawl inside and into our house.
2. Eliminate The Food Source
Centipedes eat meat and like to eat small bugs like termites, cockroaches, and ants. You know what they say: “Prevention is better than cure.” Before we get rid of the centipedes, maybe it’s best to get rid of their food source.
3. Keep The Inside and The Outside Of Your House Clean
Make sure that the inside and outside of your house are always clean. Always clean up the dead leaves and tree bark that are piled up around a house that is on land. Remember that centipedes like places that are dark and damp.
Don’t forget to check the drains to see if they are clogged. Centipedes could also come to this place if you don’t watch it.
Please do not even think for a second that if you live in an apartment you are safe from centipedes. They can still get into your house through bathrooms, septic tanks, wall cracks, floor mats, and shoes that are damp. Take care of and clean your house often before these unwanted guests move in with you!
4. Sprinkle Salt
Besides cooking with it, salt is a great natural way to keep centipedes away. Put some salt around wet spots or cracks in the walls to keep them from getting inside.
If you have dogs, you could put some salt around their water bowls. But watch out that your pets don’t eat the salt!
5. Repel With Pandan Leaves
To get rid of centipedes in a more natural way, you can use pandan leaves. Centipedes don’t like the smell of pandan leaves as much as people do. Ants and other pests are scared off by the smell that pandan leaves give off.
Cut up some pandan leaves and put them in clean jars. Put these pots in places where bugs are.
6. Scare Them Off With Citronella
Lemongrass, which is another name for citronella, can also be used to keep bugs away. This is a well-known way to get rid of bugs.
Citronella leaves, like pandan leaves, give off smells that make pests nervous. Put some leaves where you think centipedes might be to keep them from coming into your home and staying there. On the other hand, you can buy citronella spray products at any store or supermarket.
7. Prevent Them From Entering With Essential Oil
If you know that essential oil can also be used to scare away centipedes, you should know that it is pretty cool.
Because they have two eyes, centipedes can really smell things and will stay away from places that smell strong. Just a few drops of essential oil around the doors, windows, or any other entrances will do.
These will help keep centipedes and other pests out of your home by acting as silent walls.
8. Place Mothballs Around The House
Some people like to use mothballs to keep centipedes away because they are more eco-friendly. Mothballs, also known as naphthalene balls, give off naphthalene gas, which centipedes can’t handle.
Put some mothballs around the places where the bugs are. The number of centipedes in your home will go down.
9. Scatter Diatomaceous Earth Powder
DIEM powder is the next thing on the list. Spread the powder around the outside of your house to keep centipedes out.
10. Pesticide Sprays
There are chemical sprays that are made just for centipedes. These products work, but you need to be extra careful when handling them. Pick one that works well and is safe for your health and the health of your family.
To keep bad things from happening, always remember to keep it somewhere safe that kids can’t easily get to.
If the problem doesn’t go away and you need to take a stronger action, you might want to hire professional pest management or pest control services. That’s not what we want you to do. We hope that the problem can still be fixed by stopping it early with the tips we just gave you. Have fun!
Centipede Facts, Habits And Threats Habits
Habits
Centipedes eat bugs. Most of the time, they don’t hurt people, but they might scare them. They only come out at night, so you won’t see them during the day. If you see them, you should move quickly because they have so many legs.
Environment
Centipedes like to live in warm, damp places. One might be in a yard or sitting under a bunch of wet leaves. They might be in your basement, bathroom, bathtub, or another damp place if they get in through a crack in the floor.
Threats
Birds, shrews, and toads are some of the bigger animals that eat outdoor centipedes. Some indoor dogs might be interested in and even try to eat a centipede. If this happens, the centipede might sting back. If a centipede stings your pet, you should take them to the vet to get the sting treated. Other than that, your pet should be fine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Kills Centipedes Instantly?
It is known that insecticides with bifenthrin or cypermethrin can kill centipedes with just one shot.
What Attracts Centipedes In Your House?
Centipedes like to live in warm, damp places. You might find centipedes in your basement, bathroom, laundry room, or other damp places if your floor is cracked.
What is The Best Way To Get Rid of Centipedes?
Getting rid of centipedes can be done naturally. You can spray vinegar or essential oils that centipedes can’t stand, like peppermint or tea tree oil.
How Do I Keep Centipedes Out Of My House?
A dehumidifier can help get rid of the wetness in your home that centipedes like so much. To keep centipedes and other pests out, seal up any holes or cracks in the base or outside of your house. Watch out for any other bugs you may find in your home as well. Since centipedes eat bugs, getting rid of the bugs they eat will probably stop them in their tracks.
Do House Centipedes Bite?
Even though house centipedes don’t usually bite people, they do have poison that can hurt if they do. Be careful when touching them because of this.