Category: Centipedes

Millipedes are not the most attractive neighbors. Their appearance can terrify even the bravest person. While some species are beneficial on the farm for eating small pests, others harm plants and can even be dangerous to humans, especially those prone to allergic reactions.

In this article, I will describe the peculiarities of their habitat and behavior and tell you how to get rid of millipedes using the most effective remedies. It is crucial not only to kill adult species but also to find why they got at your site to prevent their reappearance.

What Are Millipedes?

Millipedes are a vast group of arthropods that include over 12000 species. Only in the United States, there are about 1000 of them. Of course, they all have differences in appearance, behavior, and habitat. But in general, they are very easy to distinguish from other groups of insects.

Visual identification

So, what does millipede look like? All millipedes have cylindrical or flat, elongated bodies, divided into more than 20 segments with two pairs of thin legs on each. Their length varies by species, from 0.08 to 15 inches. The number of legs is also different, and there is not a single known species with a thousand legs (“millipede” is “a thousand feet” in Latin).

On average, most species have from 30 to 400 of them. The color can vary as well: from pale brown to black. Some of them have a soft exoskeleton, while others, on the contrary, are well protected by calcified shells.

Common species

Considering that millipedes are one of the oldest land creatures, there are many species and families in this group. Among the most common in the US, there are, for example, dark gray with red stripes North American millipede (or iron worm), Apheloria virginiensis in black-orange-yellow color, black with small white legs White legged Snake Millipede, and brown with red stripes Striped Millipede.

Lifecycle

A female millipede can lay up to hundreds of eggs after mating. After a few weeks, so-called nymphs hatch from them, which, after a while, molt and become to look similar to adults.

Since millipedes need to regularly replenish water reserves in their bodies for a full-fledged existence, they build their nests in places with high humidity. With enough water and food and no predators, these creatures can live up to 10 years.

Millipedes vs. centipedes

Many people think that millipedes and centipedes are similar, although you can easily distinguish them if you take a closer look. If the former has two pairs of legs attached to the lower part of each body segment, then the latter has only one pair, which is located on the sides.

Most millipedes are herbivores and move quite slowly, while centipedes are predators and run very fast. It is centipedes that can severely bite a person and cause serious harm to health.

Where Do Millipedes Come from and What Attracts Them?

These arthropods appear on your site because it has enough food and moist soil. Millipedes can also live in damp fallen leaves, pine needles, and tree trunks. They feed mainly on decaying plants, but some species also love fresh plants.

If the living conditions outdoors become uncomfortable for them (high temperature and drought, or, conversely, heavy rains), then they can settle under your veranda or patio and easily move indoors. Most often, they live in basements, garages, and under the furniture. They do not leave visible signs of their presence (e.g., large nests), so it is not easy to identify millipede infestation.

Millipede Damage

As already mentioned, millipedes are significantly less dangerous than centipedes. However, even these creatures can harm humans and pets. All species are known to have a chemical defense mechanism: when disturbed or in danger, they secrete the liquid that irritates eyes and skin. Fortunately, the species that live in North America are not poisonous.

Also, since some of these creatures feed on plant foods, they can become a serious threat to agriculture if there are too many of them on your site. In addition to the green parts of plants and their roots, they can consume leaf litter, vegetables, and fruits for food. The damage they inflict means death for plants since they actually gnaw through their main artery — the place where nutrients from roots enter shoots.

Step-by-Step Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Millipede Removal

Determining if there are millipedes on your yard or house is not easy. Therefore, all you have to do is observe whether an adult appears on the soil surface or, in the worst case, on your walls. If nevertheless, these pests are bred on your site, you need to get rid of them on time, before they multiply and begin to cause serious inconvenience.

Step 1: Eliminate food and water sources

One of the most effective natural ways to get rid of millipedes is to eliminate the moisture on your territory. If the soil is too damp, drain it, install gutters, and clean the drainage system. Repair any leaking pipes and taps and adjust the irrigation system so that excess water does not accumulate anywhere.

These pests like to hide under large stones, so they may have to be removed from the site as well. If you have air conditioners, try to keep dripping water as far away from buildings as possible.

You should also regularly pick fallen leaves, remove grass cuttings and old wood (any plant material) so that they do not accumulate moisture and do not rot. It will deprive the millipedes of the food source. With these simple measures, you will make your site unattractive to them. Without food and water, they will not live for more than a couple of weeks.

Step 2: Seal your house

To prevent turfgrass millipedes from crawling into the house, inspect the walls and foundation. Seal all cracks if necessary, and check that doors and windows are tightly closed.

When doing this, make sure that the basement and garage are well ventilated. Install screens for each vent if needed. If there is high humidity in the premises, use dehumidifiers to eliminate it (the humidity level should not exceed 50%).

Step 3: Get rid of millipedes

If all the measures described are taken, and the amount of millipedes is not decreasing, use insecticides, traps, and other tools to kill pests.

Insecticides

The best way to kill millipedes in terms of speed and efficiency is to use various insecticides containing
Pyrethrin, Propoxur, Carbaryl, Cyfluthrin, or Bendiocarb. You can spray it directly onto the insect that has crawled out of its shelter. It is not recommended to take a dead creature with your bare hands, so do not forget to wear rubber gloves.

You can also process rooms with sprays, dust, and other liquids. I recommend applying any product to all places where millipedes can potentially crawl, not just where you saw them: entrance door sills, vents, walls around the perimeter of the foundation, and patios. Some liquids can be used to treat lawns or flower beds. If you have a wet basement or garage, you can also apply insecticide to the interior walls.

Remember that many chemicals are broad-ranging and can kill other beneficial insects, so use them carefully. Also, read the packaging closely if you have pets or children. Toxic agents should not be sprayed on plants that you plan to eat later.

Traps

There are many different traps for pests on the market now. In the case of millipedes, they can be really useful: a creature will get stuck inside and die pretty quickly without food and mostly water. They have a fairly simple design and operating principle. Arthropods are easily attracted by the smell of decaying plants and light. Once trapped, they cannot get out of there due to the smooth walls or the glue on their surface.

Using traps is a safer way to get rid of millipedes outside and inside your house. You don’t put other animals in danger of being poisoned. If you have a lot of these creatures in your area, place several traps in the most vulnerable points of entry.

If you wish, you can make such a device yourself. To do this, you will need a bait (a piece of fruit, for example), a plastic bottle, and a vinyl tube. Put the bait on the bottle bottom, and insert the tube into the neck so that it does not touch walls. Put the device horizontally so millipedes can crawl down the pipe attracted to the fruit. Place the captured creatures in a plastic bag, seal it securely, and throw it into your outdoor trash can.

Vacuum cleaner

If there are really many millipedes in your house and outdoors, you can quickly remove them with a vacuum cleaner. These creatures are very slow, and in case of danger, they curl up into a tight ball and just stay still, so in this way, getting rid of them will not be difficult.

Just do not forget to clean a container of them immediately. And do not throw a bag with the insects into an indoor trash bin, as there is always a chance that they will get out.

Other millipede control ways

As an additional measure of protection against these creatures, some people use peppermint and tea tree essential oils. They are recommended to be applied in the same way as other pest control products. This method’s disadvantage is that the oils quickly erode, wash off with water, and require frequent reapplication.

The use of diatomaceous earth as a plant fertilizer has proven its effectiveness. This material looks like a powder consisting of small crystals that can seriously damage even the densest exoskeleton. DE is used in agriculture as a soil absorbent and insecticide. It is entirely natural and safe for use in residential areas.

Alternatively, you can use boric acid. It is a cheaper and more affordable repellent, but it may not be safe for pets. And to drain the soil, you can use wood ash.

Top 4 Best Millipede Treatments: Reviews of the Most Effective Products

Now that you know how to get rid of millipedes in house and yard, I will share with you my reviews of products that I consider to be the best for this purpose.

1. Best Millipede Killer Dust: Demon WP Insecticide

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Syngenta Demon WP Insecticide 2 Envelopes…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Cypermethrin 40%
• Item Form: Granule
• Item Weight: 1.44 ounces
• Package Dimensions LxWxH: 6 x 3 x 0.25 inches
• Target Species:Ants, Aphidsc, Assassin Bugs, Boxelder Bugs, California Oakworm, Centipedes, Chiggers, Chinch Bugs, Cockroaches, Crickets, Earwigs, Elm Leaf Beetlec, Firebrats, Fleas, Flies, Millipedes, Mites, Mosquitoes, Pillbugs, Silverfish, Sowbugs, Termitese, Bees, Carpenter Ants, Carpenter Bees, Fire Ants,¤Ô¤¸¤Á¤­corpions, Sod Webworms, Spiders, Ticks, Wasps

Demon WP Insecticide is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The tool is a powder that dissolves easily in water. One pack is designed for one gallon of water; this should be enough to process approximately 2500 square feet.

The manufacturer guarantees that due to its high activity, the insecticide quickly destroys insects, does not fade, and stays effective for 90 days. Since it contains Cypermethrin, which is moderately toxic to humans, I recommend using it gently indoors.

2. Best Millipedes Trap: Catchmaster 72MAX Pest Trap

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Catchmaster Max-Catch Mouse & Insect Glue Trap…

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Specifications:

• Number of Pieces: 4
• Item Form: Pest Trap
• Item Weight: 11.2 Ounces
• Package Dimensions LxWxH: 8.5 x 5.25 x 0.05 inches
• Target Species: Mice, Snakes, Crickets, Bats, Fleas, Ticks, Mites, Lice, Roaches, Brown Recluse Spiders and other potentially disease transmitting insects

If you are looking for a versatile trap that will help you get rid of not only millipedes but many other pests (even baby snakes and mice), then the Catchmaster 72MAX Pest Trap is an excellent choice. Just place one or several of them in places where arthropods congregate or enter your spot.

The product folds into a house shape, but you can open it completely if you wish to create a large adhesive area. There is a peanut butter scent glue that is used as a bait.

3. Best Indoor Millipede Spray: Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer

Home Defense Max Insect Killer, 24-oz.

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredients: Bifenthrin 0.05%, Zeta-Cypermethrin 0.0125%
• Item Form: Spray
• Item Weight: 3.52 pounds
• Package Dimensions LxWxH: 4.6 x 10.8 x 5 inches
• Target Species: Adelgids, Ants, Aphids, Bees, Beetles, Borers, Boxelder Bugs, Caterpillars, Centipedes, Chinch Bugs, Cockroaches, Fleas, Flies, Mites, Mosquitoes, Ticks, Termites, Wasps, Whiteflies, Yellowjackets, etc.

Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer not only kills household insects but also creates protective barriers that keep millipedes out of house throughout the year. It is completely ready to use; you just need to spray it around the perimeter of rooms, outside the house, and on the patio.

Conveniently, the package comes with two bottles of 24 ounces each. Since this spray is odorless, it is safe for indoor use. True, it is suitable for spraying only on nonporous surfaces, as it is easily absorbed.

4. Professional Insecticide: Syngenta Demand CS Insecticide

Demand CS Insecticide – Contains iCAP Technology…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: lambda-Cyhalothrin 9.7%
• Liquid Volume: 8 fl. oz.
• Item Weight: 10 Ounces
• Package Dimensions LxWxH: 1.8 x 3.65 x 6.05 inches
• Target Species: Ants, Aphids, Bed Bugs, Beetles, Boxelder Bugs, Carpenter Bees, Carpet beetles, Centipedes, Chiggers, Chinch Bugs, Clover Mites, Cluster flies, Cockroaches, Crickets, Earwigs, Fleas, Flies, Grasshopper, Grubs, Gypsy Moth Larvae, Japanese Beetles, Midges, Millipedes, Mites, Mole Cricket, Mosquitoes, Scorpions, Silverfish, Spiders, Termites, Thrips, Ticks, Wasps, Whiteflies and others

For those who prefer to rely on professional tools, I can recommend Syngenta Demand CS Insecticide. You can use it for both living rooms and lawns, flower beds, and ornamental plants. The product is sold in 8-ounce bottles. The area that can be covered with this volume depends on the concentration.

The manufacturer recommends using 0.2 to 0.8 fluid ounces per gallon of water. The sprayed insecticide remains active for three months, saving you the hassle of finding the answer to how to keep millipedes away. However, I recommend reapplying it if it rains heavily in your area.

Millipede Extermination FAQs

If millipedes remain strange and incomprehensible creatures for you, check out my answers to the most frequently asked questions about them.

Do millipedes lay eggs?

Yes, like all arthropods, these creatures reproduce by laying eggs. Depending on the specific species, a female can lay from 10 to 300 eggs at a time. In most cases, they do not build nests but lay their eggs directly in damp soil.

How long do millipedes live?

Their lifespan varies from a year to 10 years. Such a long existence is possible in the presence of water, a food source, and the absence of natural predators. By the way, it is for their long lifespan that some insect lovers have millipedes as pets.

How big do millipedes get?

It also depends on the specific species. On average, most representatives are one to two inches long. But there are both very tiny creatures (about 0.08 inches) and gigantic ones (about 15 inches). Fortunately, such huge millipedes have not been seen in North America.

Where do millipedes usually hide?

These creatures need water, so they are looking for the most humid habitat. You can find them in wet soil, under rocks and trunks of fallen trees, fallen leaves, and pine needles. If it gets too dry and hot outside, they move into houses and live in basements and garages.

How to Stop Millipedes Once and for All

I`m never tired of repeating that the key to success is an integrated approach in the fight against household insects. In general, millipedes are harmless and even useful creatures, but they can cause serious inconvenience if not controlled.

Therefore, along with draining the soil around your house and getting rid of moisture in the rooms, I recommend using professional pest control agents: sprays, dust, liquids, and traps.

Have you encountered a problem with millipedes? What method of dealing with them has proven effective? If you still have any questions, feel free to ask me in the comments below.

References:

• The Oldest Land Animals: Silurian Millipedes from Scotland (Academia):
  https://www.academia.edu/2834181/THE_OLDEST_LAND_ANIMALS_SILURIAN_MILLIPEDES_FROM_SCOTLAND
• How are millipedes and centipedes alike and how do they differ? (Library of Congress):
  https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/zoology/item/how-are-millipedes-and-centipedes-alike-and-how-do-they-differ/
• Chemical Defence in a Millipede: Evaluation and Characterization of Antimicrobial Activity of the Defensive Secretion from Pachyiulus hungaricus (National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health):
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5132186/
• Diatomaceous Earth (National Pesticide Information Center):
  http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/degen.html
• Cypermethrin (National Pesticide Information Center):
  http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/cypermethrin.pdf

Have you ever seen a house centipede? Maybe you’ve found a hideous insect with long legs on the wall of your house and were horrified? Then your initial reaction was to swat it and to throw it away. Of course, it is not hard to become a centipede killer, but much better is to figure out whether it was dangerous.

Perhaps, your attitude was hasty. Let’s find out more about the house centipede and the actions to take when you bump into this nocturnal creature crawling across your kitchen floor. Let’s also learn how to get rid of centipedes naturally without killing and causing harm to them. And as the last resort there is information on how to kill house centipede, if you don’t have another choice.

1. Catch a house centipede and take it outdoors.
2. Check all rooms and secluded places for insects and destroy them if you find any.
3. Check for water pipe leaks and bathroom/kitchen leaking taps.
4. Prevent centipedes from entering the house.
5. Clean up trash in the basement and garden.

Our #1 Pick Against House Centipedes

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Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor &…

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What are house centipedes?

House centipedes are not insects. They are arthropods. And even the bravest can fall from fear centipedes appearance causes.

Their size is from 3 to 6 cm. They are usually gray or brown and have three purple or bluish longitudinal strips and 15 pairs  of long striped legs. The last pair of legs may be twice the length of the body, so they are very often mistaken for the feelers. Outwardly it looks creepy.

Adult centipede has 30 legs. It is born with only 16 legs and their number increases with every molting. By the way, this can help you determine the age of the centipede and distinguish a juvenile from an adult specimen. House centipede can live from 3 to 7 years.

Interesting fact: it moves extremely quickly, lifting its body on long legs, and is capable of speeding up to 40 cm/sec!

What do centipedes eat?

Centipedes are predators. They prey on flies, termites, cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, moths, fleas and other insects. They usually hunt on the walls of the houses, sheds, and basements. They bide their time and then pursue the prey. House centipedes are active day and night, so you can meet them at any time.

How do centipedes get in my house?

These millipedes live under trees and hide under fallen leaves. House centipedes spend winter in secluded places – they crawl into a warm room with enough insects for food. They penetrate into the house through open windows, cracks, and take shelter in damp places (bath, toilet, and basement).

Where do centipedes live?

Living quarters are not the main habitat for house centipedes. This is a compulsory measure to escape cold snap in dwellings, basements, and garages. Centipedes live in warm and humid regions, hiding in the foliage. The Mediterranean was their home, and then they spread to Central and Southern Europe, North Africa, the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, and India. In the 19th century, centipedes were brought to Mexico and the Southern United States, and then they spread throughout the continent.

Are house centipedes harmless?

Apart from their hideous appearance, house centipedes doesn’t have other negative characteristics. They do no harm to furniture, food products, clothes, and animals. It is impossible to find the traces of house centipedes activities: they do not make your home look dirty, they do not make sounds, and there is no centipede smell.

Do house centipedes bite?

The insect is not aggressive and it tries to hide from people. House centipede stings only to protect itself, but its jaws are so weak that they cannot pierce the human skin anyway. Even if the house centipede bite happens, it feels like a bee sting. It can cause redness and swelling. But a cold compress can help you recover from a house centipede bite quickly.

Interesting superstitions and myths about house centipedes

According to the folk superstitions, the appearance of a centipede bug in house portends a good message or a letter. In fact, they are very timid and careful. House centipedes try not to get caught, so it’s not so easy to see them.

If you believe in superstitions, you will have to wait long for good news and letters 🙂 Another myth breeds fear. People are afraid of centipede crawling into the ear during sleep. There is not a single confirmed case.

The house centipede is afraid of people, and it would not fit into the ear because of its large size and long legs even if it wanted to. If this arthropod appears in the house – do not panic.

It will destroy all other pests that can cause real harm to both people and stuff. In tropical countries, where there are a lot of insects, people protect house centipedes and strongly encourage their presence.

Bugs that look like centipedes

But be careful! The house centipede looks much like other, more aggressive and dangerous millipedes. There is a risk of confusion between the unpleasant looking but harmless arthropod and life-threatening insects. To avoid this, you need to know what scolopendras, silverfish, and diplopods look like. They are also related to millipedes.

Scolopendra has a hard shell and it looks like a long brown or black worm. Its body consists of segments with pairs of short legs (from 30 to 342 legs depending on the species). Its length can reach up to 30 cm.

Why are they dangerous?

Scolopendras are venomous. Their bite can cause high temperature, edema, redness, and fever. It causes such pain that it can be compared with the sting of 20 bees at the same time. The bite can lead to fatal outcome only in case of an allergy.

In addition, the legs of the insect end with poisonous spines. Running on the human body, the scolopendra causes irritation and skin burns. They are also dangerous for animals. And birds can get poisoned if they accidentally pick up the insect.

Silverfish is an insect with a yellowish or greenish cone-shaped body 8-20 mm long. Unlike all other millipedes, they live in colonies and multiply rapidly.

How to get rid of silverfish?

To get rid of insects, you need to make a trap using a can or rolled-up newspaper, into which you should put bait: sugar or starch. A few days later, burn the newspaper with the silverfish that are inside.

Boric acid scattered near the cracks can also frighten them. The insecticide gel is an effective remedy to get rid of insects. And the centipede can also help you destroy silverfish.

Diplopods represent a large number of species depending on the habitat. Their length can reach from a few mm to 10-20 cm. They have 139 pairs of legs. And in California, there are specimens with up to 750 legs. But they move slowly because their legs are short.

All diplopods have a hard cover. They burrow into the top layer of the soil and feed on plant remains, leaves, and rotten wood. In case of danger, they fold into a ring or spiral protecting the vulnerable abdominal part of the body. 

Why are they dangerous?

Diplopods are venomous. Some of them contain hydrocyanic acid, and they use special scent glands to protect themselves against enemies. Poisoning the human  causes skin blackening and then flaking. If the poison gets into the eyes, this can lead to blindness.

In Mexico, the Indians used the poison of some diplopods to poison their arrows. And on the island of Haiti, there are diplopods that can spit out poisonous liquid over a distance of 75 cm.

All millipedes belong to the same class, but their lifestyle, habitat and appearance vary. In order not to confuse a harmless and even useful centipede with its dangerous venomous relatives, you must clearly remember the main distinctive features:

• the centipede has a straight body, which is up to 6 cm long, with three longitudinal blue or violet strips;
• long striped legs;
• the back pair of legs is 2 times longer than the body;
• high speed of movement.

Where do bugs that look like centipedes live?

Scolopendra

Scolopendra are found in warm tropical areas. They do not tolerate the temperatures below 0°C and are killed by frost. In dry and hot weather, their body loses moisture very fast. That is why they live under the ground and in crevices, using already dug holes or constructing their own. There are more than 600 species in the wild, and each of them has its own characteristics and habitat.

In Australia and South America, there are very bright (red, purple or yellow) and large scolopendras. They are up to 15 cm long. Their mucus causes severe burns. Scolopendra polymorpha is dangerous because it secretes a substance that irritates the human skin.

The largest population of these insects lives in Australia. These millipedes reach a length of 30 cm and can attack lizards and chicks.

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Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor &…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredients: Bifenthrin – 0.05% Zeta-Cypermethrin – 0.0125%
• Item Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Liquid Volume: 1.1 Gallons
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 8.95 x 12 x 4.88 inches
• Target Species: Ants, Cockroaches, Spiders, Fleas, Ticks, Scorpions, Beetles, Silverfish, Centipedes and Millipedes

Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer is well-known for dealing with all kinds of large insects. It creates a defending barrier and keeps them from coming to your house with its killing effect. The formula acts pretty fast: in a couple of minutes, the barrier is here! Let it dry so that it could protect your house for the next twelve months. Just disperse it across the perimeter of your home and let it dry.

The spray contains pesticides, so you should be careful when applying it. It’s better to let your children and pets out of the house during the spraying procedure. Anyway, it’s entirely safe for humans and animals once it’s dry. Just wipe a paper towel over the area of application in a couple of minutes to check it for dryness. It’s completely stainless and odorless. You can use Ortho Killer both inside and outside your house.

Outside use can be as much effective, but you may need to repeat the spraying more often in case of rain and other weather conditions. It may not kill a centipede at once (that depends on its size), but it will surely scare it away.

Silverfish

Silverfish are found in the South Temperate Zone and in the tropics. This insect is spread all over the world, preferring houses and apartments.

Diplodods

Diplopods number more than 7 thousand species. The majority of them is found in Asia, North Africa, and Australia. They differ not only in their habitat, but also in their appearance.

In California, there are diplopods with 750 legs. Very bright gray and yellow specimens live in the southeastern USA. They are 4-9 cm long. Desert species are the native inhabitants of the USA and Mexico. These soil-colored millipedes are 12-14 cm long. The longest diplopods live in the tropics. They are up to 38 cm long. And in Madagascar, there are bright red millipedes that grow 10-12 cm long.

How to get rid of centipedes

The appearance of a house centipede in your dwelling indicates high humidity and the presence of insects it usually eats. They live separately, and if you find one, this is most likely the only specimen in the house. There are some easy ways to get rid of centipedes.

• Catch a house centipede and take it outdoors. Its body and limbs are fragile. The best way to get rid of a centipede is to catch it in the jar not to injure or crush it. The house centipede is useful, and it’s reasonable to keep it alive.
• Check all rooms and secluded places for insects and destroy them if you find any. If there is no food, a house centipede will also leave.
• Check for water pipe leaks and bathroom/kitchen leaking taps. Higher indoor humidity is the best habitat for house centipedes.
• Prevent centipedes from entering the house: install mosquito nets on the windows and vents, repair all the cracks.
• Remove paper, rotten wood, trash and debris from your basement. Insects that attract house centipedes usually live there.
• Remove old dry leaves and twigs from your garden to prevent the emerging of house centipedes.

If there is still a need to kill centipedes, you should know that not all the methods are suitable for this.

• You can use sticky tapes and tanglefoots for catching centipedes.

TERRO T3206SR Non-Toxic Indoor Spider, Ant,…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Hexane – 1.0%
• Item Weight: 10.5 ounces
• Number of Pieces: 12
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 4 x 3 x 3.25 inches
• Target Species: Cockroach, Cricket, Ant, Spider

Catchmaster traps are the most effective and eco-friendly way of controlling large insects crawling around your premises. The secret of these traps is they’re small and designed to blend into the environment. The insects won’t notice the difference between the trap and landscape until they glue into it. The most effective way of use to set as many traps as you can.

One insect leg caught means a catch and the traps’ edges are sticky enough for that. Besides, small traps cost significantly less than the large ones. The traps are not harmful in any way. They contain only glue, so the catch depends on your strategical abilities to set them in places frequented by centipedes. Besides, these traps can be placed next to food storages and in other areas where pesticide appliance is extremely dangerous.

Recent research indicated that dead insects caught in the glue traps are attractive to their fellow species. Centipedes are carnivorous and happy to feed on other insects including centipedes, which means you don’t even need bait inside your traps.

• Traps will not work: house centipedes eat only live insects and will not react to the bait.
• Insecticides in the form of gels and powders are not as powerful against these creatures, because the house centipede leads a secluded way of life. And it is very hard to determine where it hides.

The most effective centipede killer is an aerosol insecticide. By the way, there a lot of species and you can use any of them, because house centipedes are rarely poisoned and they do not have immunity to toxic substances.

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TERRO T600 Ant Dust Powder Killer for Indoors and…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredients: Deltamethrin – 0.05%
• Item Weight: 1 Pounds
• Formulation: Dust
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 4 x 4 x 10 inches
• Target Species: Cockroach, Cricket, Ant, Spider, Silverfish, Wasp

Ant dust has proved to be one of the best means against centipedes. Its action principle is pretty similar to the Ortho Home Defense Spray. Apply it around windows, doors, porches, stairways, and any other places that may serve as centipede entrances to your house. Be very thorough when applying outside the house, spread the highest amount of dust around the foundation as it’s usually the spot where centipedes are active.

It takes three to four days to control the pests with ant dust. Terro ant dust contains Deltamethrin which is highly effective for fighting such large pests as centipedes. The formula is waterproof, so even if you use the dust outdoors, do not worry about the rain washing it away.

The killing effect lasts up to 8 months, so one 16 oz. can of the dust will be enough if your centipede infestation level is not critical. Apart from ants and centipedes, this Terro product is effective for pests of almost every kind and size there is. The formula is poisonous though, so please be sure your pets are kept away from the application area.

It is worth considering that this arthropod benefits people. So, it is better to just scare it away instead of killing centipedes. Ultrasonic repellers and electronic repellents are used for this purpose.

Preventive measures against centipedes

In order to prevent the appearance of house centipedes, it would be reasonable not to allow them to enter the house. The main condition of not attracting a house centipede is to maintain the average humidity indoors.

For this, it is necessary to take a number of measures:

• Clean the ventilation shaft and install forced ventilation in the bathroom, toilet, and kitchen.
• Check your water supply pipes and plumbing. If there are leaks, eliminate them.
• Install heated floors.
• Make a window in the bathroom (in a private house).
• Ventilate the rooms with high humidity regularly.
• Install a heated towel rail – additional heating will remove condensate.
• Do not dry your clothes in the bathroom.

If these measures do not reduce humidity, you should purchase special instruments and devices to prevent house centipedes appearance. They are divided into the following types:

Moisture absorbers

Moisture absorbers are devices, the aerodynamic shape of which allows air to circulate around the absorbent tablet.

Operating principle

The condensate is collected in a container, protected from spilling and overfilling. The tablets can be easily replaced after a set period of use. Granules and powders (silica gel), which are also easily replaced, can be used as an absorbent in the device. In rooms with an area of 30-40 m2, the absorbent will remain effective for 3-4 months. Some models have an indicator. It signals the need to replace the insert.

Where it is better to use them

It is convenient to use moisture absorbers in the kitchen, basement, garage, and dressing room. Some models represent an attractively-shaped absorbent tablet, inserted into a special container, where moisture is collected. This device can be placed on a table or nightstand and serve as a decoration.

What other absorbents exist

Granules (silica gel) are widely used. They are simply put in a fabric bag and placed in a room, pantry, dressing room or a bathroom. One side of the bag or its small window is made of a transparent material so that the degree of moisture absorption can be tracked. The silica gel beads change their color from blue to pink, which serves as a signal to replace the contents.

Advantages and disadvantages

Moisture absorbers are inexpensive. They do not consume electricity and are safe for humans and animals. The only drawback is that they are used for small rooms and take effect slowly.

Air dehumidifiers

Air dehumidifiers are devices capable to maintain the necessary humidity in any premises. They are divided into industrial (installed in large rooms with high humidity), and household (used in apartments, cottages, garages, basements, swimming pools, saunas, bathrooms, and kitchens). Dehumidifiers are selected according to the power required (from 12 to 300 l/day).

Operating principle

Condensation dehumidifiers suck the moist air in and draw it through a cooling coil with the help of a ventilator. Condensed moisture accumulates in a special container, and the air stream is hotted up by a heat exchanger. Thus, dry and warm air enters the room. Also, you can adjust the outlet air temperature.

Types of air dehumidifiers

Air dehumidifiers are divided into wall-mounted, floor standing, and built-in appliances. For your home, you can choose a compact, light and externally attractive floor standing dehumidifier. You can take it from one room to another as needed. More powerful devices are equipped with wheels for moving.

Wall-mounted dehumidifiers look stylish. You can select the one that best fits into the interior of your room, but their price is much higher.

Wall-mounted or stationary dehumidifiers are usually installed in swimming pool rooms located in houses or cottages. When installing stationary (built-in) dehumidifiers, the air duct is placed in an adjacent room for fresh outdoor air.

Advantages and disadvantages

Depending on the purpose and room size, you can choose models with small power consumption that work through the adapter. A higher power appliance is required for large damp rooms. The range of air dehumidifiers is huge enough to fit every need and budget. The only drawbacks are the price and electricity consumption.

Supply-air units

Supply-air units are new generation devices that cope with any level of humidity but require professional installation. You need to choose a place in the wall, where the device will be inserted, and make a hole. These appliances take the outdoor air, clean it, warm it in winter, disinfect it and bring it into the room.

Fighting excess humidity is a serious matter. It may be necessary to carry out structural refurbishment of the room and install additional systems of ventilation and heating. If the problem is not global, then ventilation regime, air dehumidifiers and moisture absorbers will be enough.

References:

• House Centipedes (PennState Extension):
  https://extension.psu.edu/house-centipedes
• Centipede Venom: Recent Discoveries and Current State of Knowledge (US Natioanl Library of Medicine):
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4379518/

• Biology and Control of Spiders, Scorpions, Centipedes and Millipedes (University of Arkansas System):
  https://www.uaex.edu/publications/PDF/FSA-7018.pdf