Natural Centipede Control

Centipede, an insect-like creature, which has many feet and a body consisting of numerous similar rings or segments, each of which bears a pair of legs. The common centipede, found in the United States, is quite harmless, but some species of tropical countries inflict severe and often dangerous bites. Some of the latter species grow to a length of eighteen inches. They are savage animals and defend themselves energetically.

Natural Centipede Control

by Michael O'Brien

More scary looking than dangerous, the house centipede is a common household pest that can be controlled though not without some effort on your part. Centipedes do bite prey and humans, though the bite experienced by humans, while painful, is not generally poisonous or harmful to people.

The common house centipede sports 15 pairs of long legs, though some species of centipedes can have over one hundred pairs of legs. These bugs are fast movers and prefer dark, damp environments like your basement, kitchen or bathroom. Outdoors you can find centipedes under rocks, flower pots, damp brush or trash piles or any location that is damp and dark. As with controlling many household pests, controlling the house centipede includes a combination of strategies that must be maintained to be effective.

Since centipedes prefer their living damp, look for the obvious places that centipedes like to hang out. Seeing a centipede, dead or alive, is good indication of where to start. Finding a centipede in your kitchen or bathroom may indicate a damp condition under a sink, cabinet or appliance, so start looking for water leaks or other sources of dampness. A leaky drain pipe or a cold water supply line that is dripping with condensation can be just enough to attract the average house centipede. Repair the leaky pipe or wrap the supply line with an appropriate insulating material.

An often over-looked spot is the drain pan under many refrigerators. If your model refrigerator has a drain pan, make sure it is clean and kept as dry as possible. This will also help keep other types of insects out of your kitchen.

The basement can be a favorite hangout for centipedes, especially if the basement is damp and cluttered. Make sure to remove any damp materials like paper or cardboard and try to reduce the amount of moisture in the basement. You may have to use a portable dehumidifier to keep the basement dry. Repair any leaky pipes and wrap cold water supply lines with an appropriate insulation product. Look around for gaps in the foundation where centipedes and other pests can enter you home and make sure to seal them up. Caulking compound, self-expanding foam and other types of sealant products are available at your local hardware or home improvement stores.

Piles of damp leaves or mulch around the base of you house can invite centipedes to take up residence. Be sure to pull that material away from the foundation or base of the house. Try and reduce the amount of water exposure at the base of your home by placing your ornamental plants in pots rather than planting them in ground. Keep the potted plants a foot or two away the house and water the pots directly, trying not to overly dampen the surrounding soil.

Dead centipedes can actually provide a tasty and ready source of food for other insects. This makes the use of chemical pesticides problematic and not very effective. Using insect traps can help eliminate both the centipede and help keep other bugs from settling for their next meal. If you decide to use any type of chemical pesticide be sure to consult a professional to make sure you use the right pesticide and not put yourself or your pets in any danger. Using the wrong pesticide can also harm plants, so protect your landscape investment and ask a professional for advice on which product to use.