How To Get Rid Of Centipedes In And Around Your Baltimore Home

The term “centipede” translates from Latin meaning one hundred feet. Depending on the species, centipedes may have from 15 to more than 170 pairs of legs. Centipedes are myriapods with a “worm-like” appearance, venomous pincers, and antennae. They are primarily nocturnal creatures that feed on spiders and various insects. During the cold winter months, centipedes often seek shelter inside heated structures—such as your home. 

Are you increasingly noticing frightful-looking centipedes in your Baltimore home? Contact a licensed pest control company for assistance with these bothersome creatures. A well-trained Baltimore pest control expert knows what causes centipedes in the house and how to keep centipedes away from the premises. 

How To Identify A Centipede

Centipedes have long, flat, and sectioned bodies with a pair of legs per segment. The most commonly encountered species in the house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) is roughly one inch long and has three dark stripes. Once indoors, house centipedes are often found in basements, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and closets. 

The house centipede is a surprisingly fast creature that many sources report as moving at a rate of roughly 16 inches per second. Young larvae that are still developing have four pairs of legs. As a carnivore, house centipedes eat a diet consisting of spiders and a variety of different insects. 

Homeowners often come across centipedes below rocks or concrete slabs. They commonly enter homes through gaps around utility line pass-throughs, crevices around the foundation, or other small openings. 

In appearance, millipedes are centipede-type bugs. Unlike centipedes, millipedes eat a plant-based diet and move rather slowly. Millipedes use a simplistic defense strategy that involves curling its body into a “shell-like ball.”

Some Types Of Centipedes Are Considered Dangerous

Are centipedes dangerous creatures? Centipedes are largely viewed as a nuisance pest. However, house centipedes can deliver a painful bite that might break the skin and often results in redness and irritation. House centipedes possess venom that they use for subduing their prey, which generally lacks the potency needed to pose significant human health risks. 

Five No-Sweat Tips To Prevent Centipedes Around Your Home

As with most types of unwanted household pests, knowing what attracts centipedes to certain properties is a key aspect of preventing them. Consider the following five tips for preventing centipedes:  

1. Limit excess moisture and humidity in basements and crawl spaces by maintaining proper ventilation and using dehumidifiers when needed. 
2. Centipedes generally prefer dark and damp locations; repair any leaks below sinks or clogged floor drains in laundry areas. 
3. Keep unnecessary clutter and debris away from the area around the home’s exterior, including rocks, piles of leaves, or firewood.
4. Address any potential points of entry along the base of the structure by filling cracks near the foundation and installing sweeps along exterior doors. 
5. Avoid attracting insects that centipedes eat by keeping kitchen areas clean and placing all trash containing food scraps in durable, sealed garbage receptacles. 

A powerful vacuum can capture centipedes that you find indoors. Property owners that routinely encounter centipedes inside their homes should promptly contact a local pest control company, as the presence of these critters might indicate that another underlying pest-related problem exists. 

The Most Effective Way To Get Rid Of Centipedes

Are you struggling to control centipedes inside your Baltimore home? An experienced provider of home pest management services will visit the property and perform a detailed inspection. Upon inspection, the pest control technician will best determine any existing property conditions attracting centipedes, the likely points of entry, and the best available treatment options. 

For more than a decade, our team of local specialists with ATC Pest Control has assisted residential and commercial customers in Baltimore with solutions for centipedes and many other unwanted pests. Contact us today for additional details.