Centipedes in the House — What Are They?
Scutigera coleoptrata, more often known as house centipedes, are nocturnal insects that can be found all over the United States. Their bodies are lengthy and wormlike. They can be a range of shades from light to dark brown, with varying amounts of dark markings. Depending on the species, these bugs can have anywhere from 1 inch to 112 inches in length and anywhere from 5 to 15 pairs of legs. In humid environments like basements, closets, and restrooms, centipedes thrive. Only when hungry do they venture out of their den.
Can indoor centipedes bite?
When feeding, centipedes inject their venom into the insects they bite, but humans need not worry. If they feel threatened, though, they may resort to biting.
Biting at Night
Centipedes may be lurking in the cracks in your home’s foundation, walls, or exterior. Because of their diminutive size, nighttime animals are notoriously difficult to spot while they are skulking about in the shadows. But if you wake up at night to the sensation of little animals biting or creeping on you, it’s likely that you have house centipedes. They are dangerous, although they don’t attack humans through biting. Bites might therefore originate from insects.
Baby Centipedes
When house centipedes invade, they immediately begin reproducing and laying eggs. Baby centipedes will hatch from these eggs and invade your home once they are old enough to move around. Newborns have the same appearance as their parents.
What attracts centipedes indoors, exactly?
There are numerous telltale symptoms of a house centipede infestation. Centipedes may invade your home for the following reasons:
Your home is infested with additional pests.
Centipedes can be brought indoors by a variety of pests. Because these creatures feed on insects, you should be prepared to take action if you notice any in your home. House centipedes prey on insects and other pests such as cockroaches, silverfish, spiders, and more. Therefore, eliminating the pests will also mean eliminating their food source. This is crucial if you want to put a quick end to a centipede invasion.
The chilly air forces them indoors.
Like many other pests, house centipedes seek shelter indoors during the cooler months.
How do centipedes get into buildings?
Centipedes can easily enter your home through foundation cracks and openings. Once inside, they settle into a damp, dark corner. They populate nooks and crannies, such as those found in sinks, tubs, and the foundation.
Getting Rid of a Centipede Problem
Once you’ve identified a centipede infestation in your home, follow these steps to get rid of them for good:
Apply adhesive straps. Sticky straps have multiple uses, including the detection of various pests and the extermination of others, such as house centipedes. You may get sticky bands at any local store.
The use of pesticides is recommended. Insecticides should be used if there are a lot of pests in the residence. Some of the substances are so toxic that the animal becomes immobilized and eventually dies from damage to its nervous system.
Don’t let water damage the house. Some of them will die from the lack of water, and the others will stop coming. Dehumidifiers are yet more tools for eliminating dampness at home.
Close up any openings you find. These pests can enter your home through cracks in the structure. The spaces near the windows and doors should be eliminated. You can hide the contents of the basement by using a window screen.
Consult with Experts Who Manage Pests
House centipedes are a nuisance, like most other insects. Since they prey on other insects, their presence can signal an ongoing infestation. Now is the time for California residents to engage a pest control company. https://santee-pest-control.com/ is available around the clock and offers a satisfaction guarantee if you call them.