Centipedes are an insect species that is widely distributed throughout the US and around the world. Their name refers to the numerous legs that they have, and they are largely nocturnal and very fast. This means that you will not often encounter a centipede even if you have an infestation in your home. However, once you do encounter one, you are likely to call a pest control specialist, giving how unsettling this insect can be.

Appearance

The house centipede has a long body, similar to that of a worm, with many legs around it. The body is segmented, and each segment has a pair of legs, with an adult centipede having upwards of 30 legs in total. In terms of coloration, the centipede is usually yellow or brown, with dark markings or stripes. The head of a centipede has two long antennae covered in hairs. Near the head, the centipede has two legs which act as stingers that inject strong venom into their prey. Additionally, these legs are used to hold on to prey and prevent it from running away. Centipedes also have compound eyes that can be composed of as many as 200 optical units. However some species are completely blind with no eyes at all.

Pest control

There are no direct signs that there is a centipede infestation in your home, but centipedes do not cause any material damage, and they are relatively harmless. The only way to tell that there is an infestation in the home is to see the centipedes themselves.

In order to prevent an infestation, you will need to reduce moisture in and around the home, and to make sure that all gaps and cracks in your outer walls are sealed. Proper ventilation and fixing any leaky pipes are extremely effective at preventing centipede infestations, because centipedes need a lot of moisture in the air to survive.

If you notice a centipede in the home, the most effective way to remove it is to vacuum it or to squash it with your foot. However, if there is more than one centipede, then you have an infestation, and the best way to get it under control is to set up an appointment with a professional. The presence of centipedes may also suggest that you have other pest infestations in the home. Contact us today if you have any of these issues.

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