House centipedes are insects with a large number of legs that are spread throughout the US. You may have noticed them in your home when you turn on the lights at night and they are crawling around very fast. In this article, we’re going to cover the essential facts that you need to know about these insects.
Appearance
House centipedes have a very distinctive look. They can have anywhere from 15 to 177 pairs of legs, with a segmented body, and a pair of legs on each segment. It’s also worth noting that centipedes will always have an odd number of leg pairs. In terms of coloration, most house centipedes are yellowish to dark brown, sometimes with some markings or stripes. The house centipede is usually between one and one and a half inches long, with very long legs and antennae.
Do house centipedes bite?
House centipedes do not bite humans, but other centipede species such as the six inch long Scolopendra, are known to have a very painful bite. Most species will only bite in self defense, but others can be quite aggressive and they will attack if they feel even slightly threatened.
Signs of a centipede infestation
House centipedes leave few outward signs when they infest a home. The only way you can tell they are indoors is by spotting one of them.
Prevention
The best way to prevent house centipede infestations is to lower the moisture levels in the home. You can also remove piles of grass clippings, leaves, logs, stones, and rocks from your property, as much as possible. These materials and objects create moisture when they are in contact with the ground, and this moisture will draw in the centipedes. Once they are in your garden, it’s only a few feet to get into the home.
Control
If you notice centipedes in your home, you can squish them, or vacuum them up. However, if you suspect that an infestation is present, you will need the help of a pro to get rid of it. House centipedes can reproduce fairly quickly if the conditions are right, and before you know it, you will have these pests everywhere. Contact us today if you have a house centipede infestation, or if you would like to know more information about the centipede control process. One of our team members will gladly help you out.
