How To Get Rid Of House Centipedes

Scutigera Coleoptrata , or house centipedes as they are better known, are not easy to get rid of. These foul creatures are not insects. They have about fifteen legs, eyes everywhere and can run about as fast as the average cockroach. However, unlike cockroaches, they appear even in homes that are kept clean. They do not spread disease but can in some instances sting humans.

Unfortunately, these creatures are not easy to kill. While squashing one with a shoe is effective, it leaves an ugly brown stain on the surface where the creature was killed. Bug spray is not very effective, unless one purchase a spray that is specifically labeled as being able to exterminate centipedes. The most common method of getting rid of centipedes is setting up sticky traps. As centipedes love humidity, sticky traps should be put up on areas of the house that tend to be humid. One will need to replace the traps as needed.

Centipedes feed on smaller insects, so hiring a pest control company to fumigate the house can be a very good idea. This may not destroy all the centipedes but it will destroy their food and the centipedes will likely move out in search of a more suitable food source. As centipedes thrive in humidity, setting up a dehumidifier in the room will discourage these creatures from entering.

Cutting back thick foliage near the house can also be a good idea. Plants and vines growing right near the house is a great spot for not only centipedes but also insects and other pests. Putting powdered insecticides outside the house can also be a good idea. Those who have small children or an outdoor pet may want to use Boric Acid instead, as it is a more natural alternative to commercial insecticides.

It is also very important to make sure there are no holes or cracks in the house structure. Check the basement, attic and walls for any small cracks or holes that could be letting the centipedes get into the house, and then seal the walls so that pests cannot enter. Doing this as soon as possible is very important, as numerous pests will use small holes and cracks in the structure to get into the house.
Many people argue that house centipedes are not quite as bad as other pests such as termites, spiders and cockroaches. In fact, a house centipede will eat these and other pests and so may act as a sort of natural pest control. On the other hand, most homeowners would not want centipedes around the house or apartment, even if they do eat other pests. It is not easy to kill centipedes but it can be done. However, it is best to prevent centipedes from entering the home. This can be done by hiring a pest control company to kill the insects that the centipedes eat, keeping the house dry and repairing cracks and holes in the walls. To find out more about how to get rid of house centipedes, one can also check out the helpful, detailed information on this site.