Centipedes are a fairly common pest in many parts of the United States, but many homeowners don’t know a lot about them. It can be easy to panic if you find a centipede in your house; they are unsettling pests, and you could be forgiven for assuming they are dangerous.
Fortunately, centipedes aren’t much of a threat to most homeowners, but you should still know how to deal with them. Our team at Pro Active Pest Control is always available to help. We offer the best professional pest control in Queen Creek. Let’s start by talking about what centipedes are and how to identify them.
What Are Centipedes?
How do you recognize a centipede in your Queen Creek home? Centipedes are arthropods with multiple pairs of legs. Despite what their name implies, centipedes don’t always have 100 legs. Instead, they have many pairs of legs, anywhere from 15 to 177. Strangely, they always have an odd number of pairs of legs. They are long, flat, and somewhat worm-like in shape. Centipedes can measure between an eighth of an inch and six inches long. Their colors also vary widely, ranging from yellow to dark brown. Some species also have dark stripes or markings.
Centipedes are most active at night, meaning that they often go unnoticed by homeowners. Though there are many different kinds of centipedes, the common house centipede is the one most often found in houses. It measures between an inch and an inch and a half long and has a yellow-gray body with three dark stripes running down it. Now that you’ve learned how to identify centipedes let’s discuss whether they present any threat to you or your family.
Is It Dangerous To Have Centipedes Around My House?
Centipedes are a type of pest known as “occasional invaders.” These pests rarely invade homes, and when they do, it’s usually in response to changes in the environment rather than an innate instinct or a particular attraction to the homes they invade.
Like most other occasional invaders, centipedes aren’t dangerous. They aren’t known to cause property damage, and most of them aren’t strong enough to break human skin by biting. In the very unlikely event that you are bitten by a centipede, the worst that is likely to happen is mild swelling and discomfort, similar to a bee sting. Next, let’s take a look at how to get rid of centipedes.
How Do I Prevent Centipedes Around My Home?
Centipedes aren’t harmful pests, but that doesn’t mean you want them hanging around. They might potentially attract other pests if they aren’t taken care of, and if they can get into your house, other more dangerous pests can too. If you want to know how to keep centipedes away, here are some simple tips:
- Reduce any areas of moisture or standing water in your home.
- Inspect the exterior of your home for any cracks or openings and close them up.
- Don’t let debris such as leaves, grass, or dead wood pile up in your yard.
- Get rid of any centipedes you find indoors using a vacuum.
These steps should help you keep centipedes out. If you do find yourself with a centipede infestation, the best thing to do is contact a local pest control company like Pro Active Pest Control.
What’s The Best Way To Get Rid Of Centipedes?
For years, Pro Active Pest Control has been serving homeowners in Queen Creek, Arizona. When you want professional home pest control, we’re the ones to call.
All of our treatments are environmentally friendly, and our services come with a pest-free guarantee. Contact Pro Active Pest Control today and request a free quote!