Centipedes

What are Centipedes?

Centipedes have a very distinct appearance, with their long, worm-like bodies and many legs. Similar to millipedes but usually much fewer legs. They always have an odd number of legs, which can range anywhere from 15-177 per centipede. They usually are a yellow to brown color, and occasionally have stripes or other markings on their bodies. There are two main species of centipedes found in the United States and other parts of the world, which are the house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) and the large centipede (Scutigera heros girard). The house centipede is about 1-1 ½” long and has 15 pairs of legs, with the back ones longer than its body. The large centipede can grow as big as 6” long and has many more legs that are shorter than its body.

Are centipedes harmful?

All centipedes have poison jaws and venom. Larger species can break the skin on a human. These stings are similar to bee and wasps stings.

How can you treat them?

Centipedes are attracted to places with high moisture such as rotting trees, plants, grass, etc. They can make their way into the home through cracks in windows, doors, siding, or foundation. When found in the home, they usually reside in dark, damp places, such as potted plants, basements, laundry rooms, and bathrooms. To protect your home from possible infestations, routinely check that there are no cracks in the foundation, windows, doors, or siding, and keep your home as dry and moisture-free as possible. If you do see a centipede outside or in your house, it is likely that there are others nearby as well. Our professional technicians can examine the infestation and treat it in the proper way.