There are some pests that people know are likely to bite. These pests include spiders and fire ants, but there are other pests that bite that most people don't know about. The centipede is one of these pests, but luckily, while they can bite, they don't usually do so. If you find centipedes around your Queen Creek property, they are not very dangerous, but they can still be invasive and frustrating to evict.
Do Centipedes Harm People Or Pets?
Because centipedes can bite, you might assume they are dangerous, but, overall, they are just nuisance pests. While they do have venom and use it on their smaller insect prey, this venom isn't strong enough to hurt humans or most pets.
What Do Centipedes Look Like?
Identifying centipedes isn't that hard given that they have many pairs of legs, but they can also be confused with millipedes. Centipedes have wormlike bodies, and they can have as many as 15-150 pairs of legs. Their coloring can range from yellow to dark brown.
One of the best ways to tell centipedes apart from millipedes is to look at their legs. Centipedes have legs that stick out from their bodies, while millipedes have legs that are more hidden under their bodies. Centipedes also have pincers near their mouths.
Do Centipedes Often Come Indoors?
For the most part, centipedes prefer to stay outdoors. They live under dead leaves or bark, and they like humidity and damp areas. But, while they usually live outdoors, they will come inside in search of a moisture-rich place to live in when the outdoor environment isn't meeting their needs.
Centipedes gravitate to homes and businesses with moisture problems. When they get indoors, they often invade basements, closets, and crawl spaces, as these areas are usually dark and damp. They might also come inside while following their smaller pest prey.
Effective Centipede Prevention Tips
The best way to prevent centipedes is to take steps to remove the factors that attract them in the first place. These steps mostly involve removing moisture issues and getting rid of other pest problems. Here are some specific things you can do:
- Fix leaky pipes and faucets around your property.
- Make sure your basement, attic, and crawl space have good ventilation.
- If you have excess humidity problems, use dehumidifiers.
- Clear out rain gutters and clear out yard debris such as leaf clippings and dead leaves.
- Reduce the likelihood of getting other insect infestations by keeping your kitchen clean and clearing food and drink spills right away.
- Get lids for all garbage cans around the property.
- Remove water-damaged wood from around the yard.
Get Help With Centipede Problems
While centipedes aren't very dangerous, they can be difficult to remove, and finding them around your property can be gross. They do look rather unsettling, and they could be an indicator that other small pests are around. Luckily, with professional pest control services, you can easily remove centipedes.
The experts at Pro Active Pest Control are here to help with our ongoing residential and commercial pest plans. We will remove any current centipedes and also prevent these pests from returning throughout the year. Give us a call today to request a quote.