Not Too Sure About Centipedes?
Looking for an easy method to get rid of centipedes? Are they creating problems for you? To avoid them, make sure your house doesn’t have any cracks in its walls and any leaks are taken care of right away. This article will provide several ways to rid your property of centipedes.
In Latin “centipede” means “one hundred legs” and may refer to any number of such creatures, including some with as many as three hundred and fifty-four legs.
Centipedes are not classified as insects and are instead part of a classification of invertebrates known as arthropods. In case you are freaked out by the sight of them scurrying on your floor, We have got the solution to your problem, let’s have a look at our effective methods to keep your home safe from centipedes.
Appearance
Only a small percentage of centipedes seen in urban areas are more than two inches long. However, in Texas and the arid southwest, a few species may grow to a length of six inches or more and may enter structures such as houses.
The most common colours among centipedes range from orange to brown, but different species can be a variety of colours, including the Texas redheaded centipede, which tends to have a blue-black body, orange or red head, and yellow legs.
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Behaviour
Moisture-loving centipedes hunt their prey. These nocturnal animals go out at night to hunt for insects and spiders. Only one leg is seen on each body segment of a centipede, although millipedes might have two pairs of legs per body segment. Except for the house centipede, which may spawn in basements and crawl areas, these insects are seldom observed inside of residences. The large legs of the house centipede make it easy to identify.
Detecting centipedes
It can be difficult to detect a centipede infestation in your home, especially during the early stages. House centipedes spend most of the day in damp, gloomy locations. In order to find house centipedes in your home, you should begin your search in any place with a history of flooding. Start your search for house centipedes in the sinks and the basement.
You may also check for house centipedes by keeping an eye out for movement at the times when they are most active. You should begin your search in moist places such as the bathroom, kitchen, or basement.
Getting rid of centipedes
Get rid of home centipedes by following the step-by-step instructions provided below. You may get rid of the house centipedes that are already in your home and prevent any more from entering by taking a few preventive measures.
Rectify water leaks
Centipedes are drawn to damp, dark places in the house. You may inadvertently be providing an excellent environment for house centipedes if your property has any water concerns, such as a leak beneath your kitchen sink This bug will find your property less appealing if you address water concerns.
Thoroughly clean your home.
Using a high-powered vacuum cleaner to vacuum out the nooks and crevices of your home may catch house centipedes that are hiding throughout the day. Centipedes might return to your home if the contents are not properly disposed of.
Get rid of any other pests in your house first.
Cockroaches, silverfish, and spiders are common prey for house centipedes. House centipedes might enter your home if you have an infestation of another kind of insect. Centipedes in the home may be eradicated by eliminating other pests.
Prevention
Preventive measures are critical in the fight against pests when using do-it-yourself pest control methods. In order to avoid a centipede infestation, you should seal any gaps and crevices outside your house. Insects and bugs (including centipedes) won’t be able to enter your property if you seal up any openings.
Pest control foam or caulk may be used to seal up holes and gaps around the outside of a home to keep insects from making their way inside.
When centipedes are exterminated, you’ll want to maintain your pest-free home by taking preventive actions. It is a good idea to install drain screens to prevent insects from entering your home via the plumbing, as well as block any possible hiding spots.
Do your best to address any leaks in plumbing, or even consider using a dehumidifier in areas such as the basement and crawl spaces, or even the bathroom. Make sure your house is safe from intruders by caulking all of the cracks, gaps, and other entrance sites.
Other Methods
Kill or remove them.
Squishing them with your shoe isn’t the only option; consider using sticky traps designed for general bug usage, which you can tuck under baseboards or in corners instead. The traps will hold any centipedes that make it through.
Additionally, you may move them outdoors at any time. To capture a centipede, place a glass or jar over the critter, then slip a thick piece of paper over the rim. Centipedes are known to destroy pest insects, so rather than using poison, try eradicating the pests from your house.
Protect your home by erecting an insecticide barrier around it
Using a natural or synthetic pesticide, you may establish a barrier that centipedes must pass in order to enter your home. Indoor use of chemical sprays and dusts is permitted, but only if you are confident using them in the presence of youngsters or pets. pyrethroid-based insecticides are effective against centipedes.
Although natural pesticides such as boric acid or diatomaceous earth may be used outside, you should do your homework to see whether they would harm any plants near your house before using them. You don’t want to mistakenly destroy any flowers or shrubs when you use natural insecticides.
Professional centipede extermination
In case none of the DIY tips work, or don’t feel doing it yourself, it is better to call your local pest control company. They will safely proceed with centipede extermination.
