Imagine seeing a fast, moving, crawling creature in your house at night with a flat, elongated body, and sharp pointy legs?
Won't you be disturbed and scared? This is exactly what this creature called “Centipede” makes you feel like.
Although most centipedes usually prefer to live outdoors, the house centipede on the other hand lives fine both inside and outside.
Centipedes are brown (or yellowish-grey), flat, elongated animals with many body segments.
They can have up to 177 pairs of legs but the human centipedes have just 15 legs.
A centipede is usually 1-6 inches long, and the house centipede is about an inch long (or less).
Other than sighting the centipedes themselves, centipedes do not leave any direct signs behind, which makes them really smart hunters.
They are super-fast, agile, and nocturnal animals so you won't probably see them during the day.
Centipedes are really not dangerous but they have nasty venom they use to subdue their prey.
This venom however is rarely harmful to humans and can result in redness, swelling, inflammation, to mention but a few.
Moreover, centipedes rarely bite people. They will only bite when they feel threatened.
Nevertheless, this pest can cause a nuisance in your home especially when their numbers are high.
And we're certain you don't want them in your homes. Call a pest control expert if you’re uncertain how to deal with this creepy crawler.
Now, to the big question, what are centipedes really looking for in your house?
Quick Navigation
1. Moisture
Centipedes are moisture-loving pests. They thrive in wet and damp areas and will not survive long in drought.
No wonder they love to hide in moist, dark, and secluded areas during winter. And fortunately for them, they can find moisture in your basement, kitchen, and bathroom.
2. Food
Like most insects, centipedes need food to survive. So if you come across them in your yard or home, you probably have what they are looking for–Food!
However, centipedes are not after your cereals or food crumbs.
They are carnivorous animals, so they prefer soft-bodied creatures like flies, ants, cockroaches, crickets, silverfish, ground beetles, bedbugs, spiders, worms, and other centipedes.
3. Harborage
Centipedes also love places that provide protection and suitable environmental conditions for them.
Basically, cool, dark, damp, and locations where they can easily target their prey are perfect for centipedes.
How can centipedes enter your house?
Centipedes can find their way into your house through drains (such as pipes), holes, cracks, gaps, poorly sealed windows, and doors.
How to get rid of centipedes from your house
Your best line of defense against pests like centipedes is to attack those things they want, which are moisture, food, and protection.
No centipede can survive a long drought, so eradicating damp areas, and creating dry and clean conditions will help to get rid of them.
Caulk or seal cracks, holes, or gaps around your doors or foundation that can serve as entry points.
You can find out more here if you want to make sure that you’re doing the right thing.