Centipedes Are Carnivores Working on Your Behalf

There’s nothing like the shiver that runs down your spine when you turn the light on in your basement or bathroom and see a centipede scurry into a nook of darkness. Their long bodies and seemingly countless legs make them instantly recognizable. On average, a centipede’s body length can measure between 0.16 and 12 inches. They can also have between 15 and 177 legs, which makes them quick and adds to their overall creep factor.

Centipedes are found throughout the United States. The ideal environment for a house centipede is damp and dark, so you can most likely spot them in your basement, bathrooms, or closets. Furthermore, homes that have difficulty regulating moisture may be more likely to attract centipedes. They can live at least a year, with some research having record of centipedes living five to six years.

Centipedes don't leave signs of infestation, so the best way to know they are there is to spot one. (We know, sometimes what you don't know doesn't hurt!). They are nocturnal creatures that enjoy foraging for food under the cover of darkness. When it comes to taste preferences, they are carnivores that enjoy feasting on spiders, flies, and cockroaches.

Centipedes are aggressive hunters who use their legs to lasso in and trap their prey. Once captured in an MMA-style chokehold, centipedes bite their prey and inject a venom that is believed to cause paralysis.

This alarming meal-prep description aside, don’t let the news of centipedes possessing venom scare you. They are not dangerous to humans, nor are they known for being aggressive toward humans. On rare occasions, they may bite as an act of self-defense. If that happens, a human may develop a small reaction around the bite that is like a bee sting.

You’re probably wondering how to altogether eliminate centipedes from your home. You can prevent them from getting in by sealing cracks and gaps around your home. It’s also wise to keep damp areas dry by running a fan or dehumidifier. In extreme cases, you could use sticky traps or insecticides deemed fit for indoor use.

But before taking such precautions and measures, be warned that the creepy-crawly centipede may be the only thing standing between you and a more troublesome pest!

Need help controlling pests around the perimeter of your home? Contact your local Mosquito Squad today!