Centipedes are easily identified by their yellowish-gray, elongated body that boasts 30 legs which scurry faster than expected. They do not build nests or hang out in groups, as they are considered lone insects. They do not carry diseases or destroy your home like termites, but their presence can easily send a shiver up your spine. Discover four ways you can eliminate centipedes in the house:
1. Remove Their Food Supply
Most insects have one thing in common – they live near their food supply! Insects cannot survive without grub. Centipedes prefer eating common pests, such as:
- Ants
- Bed bugs
- Cockroaches
- Flies
- Moths
- Silverfish
You may think, “Since they’re eating those nasty insects, why should I get rid of them?” Because the presence of centipedes in the house means that those nasty insects are present, too! Our proven pest control method can help.
2. Clear Debris Around Your Home
In addition to their eating habits, centipedes are notorious for their hiding spots. Have you ever moved a cardboard box in your garage or blew leaves off your driveway and a handful of centipedes ran for their lives? Centipedes are expert hiders, and they seek debris and clutter. Keep the perimeter of your home free of debris, and they’ll have less reason to be near your home (and eventually find a way inside).
3. Be Mindful of Moisture
Centipedes love moist and damp areas such as your kitchen and bathrooms. If you have a leaky faucet or humid bathroom, you can be certain that centipedes in the house will gravitate toward that area. Here are a few tips to minimize attracting centipedes to these two important rooms in your home:
- Always use an exhaust fan while showering
- Check pipes monthly for leaks
- Fix leaks immediately
- Remove excess water on shower walls after showering
- Repair leaking toilets
4. Seal Entry Points
As cold weather arrives, you’ll want to keep your home warm and cozy. If you walk by a window or door and can feel chilly air, it’s likely that centipedes are finding their way into your home through those entry points!