No homeowner is keen on sharing their home with insects and other pests, especially with those pests that look like they could be aliens. Centipedes are some of the more alien-like invaders that find their way into Gilbert, Arizona, homes. Regularly finding them scurrying across your home’s surfaces can make you feel like you want to be anywhere but inside your home!
The good news is that you can easily keep centipedes out of your home by making your property less hospitable and implementing year-round home pest control solutions. For the best pest control in Mesa, partner with the experts at Pro Active Pest Control. We will work with you to solve your property’s pest issues and keep your home free of centipedes and other common household pests.
The Anatomy And Behavior Of Centipedes
Many different types of centipedes live worldwide; each species will vary in size and appearance. However, most centipedes share general characteristics. Below is an overview of the anatomy of a centipede:
- Flattened, segmented, worm-like body
- Many legs (15-177 pairs)
- One pair of legs per body segment
- Venom glands behind the head
- Yellow to dark brown coloring
- Long antennae
Centipedes in Gilbert are predators and feed on small insects that they can catch. Their feeding habits help to control populations of nuisance and dangerous insects. So, while centipedes in our yards may be beneficial, when they move into our homes, they are like any other unwanted household pest, and you need to quickly take action and remove them.
Why Centipedes Can Be A Menace To Have Around Your Home
Though centipedes look quite menacing, the truth is there are worse pests that could call your house home. The biggest concern with centipedes is their ability to bite. The good news is that avoiding centipede bites is relatively easy. Centipedes aren’t aggressive towards people and aren’t seeking us out to bite. They usually only bite to protect themselves or when feeling directly threatened. Centipede bites are painful but generally don’t cause serious or lasting health effects.
Centipedes are predators and have high moisture needs. If you regularly spot centipedes in your home, your biggest concern should be why they are present. They are likely in your home because they have followed their insect prey indoors or while seeking out a humid habitat to call home. When centipedes are in your home, there are likely moisture issues and insect problems you need to address.
Natural Ways To Prevent Centipedes Around The House
You can take some easy steps in and around your home to naturally prevent issues with centipedes.
We have compiled a list of our most helpful centipede prevention tips:
- Inspect your home’s foundation, sealing any cracks or crevices you find.
- Make sure ground-level exterior doors have door sweeps installed on them.
- Maintain a barrier between mulch in garden areas and your home’s exterior.
- Plant basil, lemongrass, and lavender in garden areas to naturally work to deter centipedes.
- Use dehumidifiers in your home to reduce humidity levels in your home.
- Quickly repair leaky pipes and hoses.
- Keep gutters and downspouts clear of debris to ensure they are working to direct rainwater away from your home.
Despite your best efforts, centipedes in Gilbert can still become an issue. In addition to the above tips, partner with a Gilbert home pest control professional to keep centipedes and other common household pests out of your home.
Call In The Pros For Total Centipede Elimination
Pro Active Pest Control is here to help you eliminate unwanted centipedes from your property. Our professionals offer eco-friendly solutions and customized treatments to solve your Gilbert property’s unique centipede control needs. Trust our guaranteed pest control solutions to determine how and why centipedes enter your home. We will then complete the steps necessary to treat the infestation and recurring services to keep centipedes out in the future.
For more information about our residential and commercial pest control in Gilbert, please call today. One of our professionals will gladly assist you and answer any questions.