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Centipedes And The Homeowner: A Brief Guide

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Homeowners have to worry about many types of household pests, such as roaches, ants, and bed bugs, invading their homes and getting out of control. One pest that they might overlook, however, is the centipede. This article provides homeowners with some basic facts about these pesky critters and how to control them if they invade your house.

Identification

There are various species of centipedes, with the most relevant species for homeowners being the house centipede. These pests, whose scientific name is Scutigera Coleoptrata, have bodies that are divided into segments with each segment having a pair of legs. The house centipede has different coloring from the majority of centipede species. It has a grayish-yellow coloring compared to the reddish-brown color of most other centipedes.

Habits

Centipedes typically like to hide in dark and moist places. Outside of your home, you would likely find them in piles of leaves or underneath rocks or lumber. When the weather gets cold or when they looking for sources of food, they might start to invade homes. Centipedes gain entry into your house through cracks or gaps in the exterior of your house or in the foundation. Once inside, they will gravitate to dark and damp locations in the home, such as basements, floor drains, and bathrooms. 

Signs

The most common sign of a centipede problem in your home is seeing them crawling around. Another sign of a potential problem is noticing more ants, roaches, or silverfish in your home. Because centipedes feed on all of these insects, having more of them than normal in the house could attract centipedes to your home and create an infestation. Watch for centipedes closely during the spring and fall since they are more likely to appear during these seasons rather than summer or winter.

Prevention

Centipedes are always seeking out moist habitats and sources of food. One of the best ways to keep these pests at bay is to keep your home clean and free of any excess moisture. Using a dehumidifier to control humidity levels can be helpful. Try to keep your yard free of any type of organic debris such as leaf piles and rotting limbs or logs. Another excellent idea is to seal up any small cracks through which centipedes might enter your house with caulk or sealant.

Even if you take all of the necessary precautions, a centipede invasion can still happen and cause problems. When this occurs, contact one of the pest control companies in your city or town for assistance. For more information, contact a pest control service near you.


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