You probably think of centipedes as strange-looking pests that have thousands of legs, and while their actual number of legs isn’t quite as extreme, they do have lots of them. Centipedes are worm-like in appearance and can have anywhere from 15- 150 pairs of legs. They can also range in color from yellow to dark brown. While some people confuse millipedes and centipedes, you can identify centipedes and tell them apart from millipedes by their pincer-like appendages coming from their mouths and because their legs stick out further from their sides while a millipede's legs do not.
As with all pests in Dallas, Texas, homeowners want to know if centipedes are dangerous and if they are going to cause property damage. Luckily, centipedes are mostly just considered a nuisance pest as they are not dangerous to people and pets. While centipedes are venomous and use this venom to incapacitate prey, it isn't powerful enough to harm you. They may bite on a very rare occasion if handled, but this hardly ever happens. Centipedes also aren’t considered a real risk to property, so overall, they are just disgusting to have around because they look so off-putting.
In this guide, you’ll learn why centipedes are getting into your house and what you can do to deter them.
Do Centipedes Often Live Indoors?
Centipedes are a pest that usually prefers to live outside, but they will make their way inside in search of a humid environment. Centipedes need a moisture-rich environment, so they are especially attracted to homes that have high humidity. When inside, you’ll usually find centipedes in basements, closets, and crawl spaces that are out of the way as well as dark and damp. Centipedes might also come inside in search of their prey. So, having infestations of other, smaller insects can lead to centipede problems.
Seven Centipede Preventions Tips
Now that you know the two main reasons why centipedes are getting inside of your Dallas home, it’s pretty simple to take steps to prevent them. While you can’t completely ensure you’ll never have a centipede in your home, you can make the building less hospitable for them and reduce the risk of an infestation.
Here are seven simple, effective centipede prevention steps:
- Reduce moisture issues by fixing leaky pipes and faucets.
- Make sure to use a dehumidifier if your home has moisture problems.
- Ensure that attics, basements, and crawl spaces have good ventilation as these are common areas where centipedes hide once they get indoors.
- Keep firewood dry, neatly stacked, and stored about 30 feet from the exterior of the home.
- Remove grass clippings and leaf piles from your property as centipedes hide under these materials.
- Get rid of any moisture-damaged wood from your property including from inside the house.
- Contact pest control professionals for help.
The Simplest Way To Handle Centipede Issues
While centipedes aren’t dangerous, they still aren't a welcome houseguest. The easiest way to keep centipedes out and also to remove them is with help from the experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite. Our team of experts can provide ongoing assistance throughout the year to offer total cockroach control.
We offer over 30 years of experience handling pest issues in the Dallas area, and our residential pest control plans are affordable and reliable. Get started today by calling us at (972) 945-9226. We also offer free estimates that you can schedule online.