Do you have centipedes?

Centipedes do not cause damage to building structures and are not carriers of disease or viruses.

However, a large population of centipedes in your home can increase the chances of painful bites to human skin, causing pain and swelling, similar to a bee or wasp sting.

House Centipedes–Get the Facts

Some would argue that having a few centipedes in and around your home is far from being detrimental. Centipedes hunt other, more damage causing pests, such as spiders, cockroaches, and bed bugs. Therefore, if you notice a constant presence of centipedes in your home, contacting a qualified pest control professional will help you determine what other kind of insects are lurking in your home.

Centipedes are long and flat, ranging from 4 to 152mm in length, depending on the species. They have segmented bodies, each segment containing its own pair of legs. Their color varies according to their species; however, most house centipedes are brown or reddish orange.

If you suspect centipedes have made their way into your home call us immediately. We are available 24/7 and we get rid of centipedes fast!

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Centipede VS Millipede

Although many people confuse these two, centipedes and millipedes have different characteristics. While centipedes are flat, millipedes have a subcylindrical shape. Centipedes are known for their speed, moving tremendously quickly, especially when threatened. Centipedes can run up to 1.3ft per second across your floors, up your walls or along your ceilings. Millipedes, on the other hand, move slowly.

Finally, centipedes attack their prey (and sometimes humans), while millipedes feed on decaying organic matter. When threatened, millipedes will curl-up into a little ball, emitting defensive secretions in the process.

Avoiding a centipede infestation

Centipedes will get into buildings through cracks and crevices, garage or basement doors, windows, or vents. Once inside, centipedes will easily explore the premises and find dark, humid spaces where to establish themselves.

Centipedes will most often roam at night, making it difficult for homeowners to notice their presence. Hence, spotting centipedes in your home regularly, may be a sign of a serious infestation.

To avoid a large population of centipedes entering in their dwelling, homeowners should take the following precautions:

Keep water away from foundations, by ensuring that soil slopes away from your home
Move possible centipede breeding grounds such as, wood piles, compost, mulch, rocks or low-growing plants, away from the exterior walls of your home.
Seal cracks and crevices from exterior walls and entry points (doors, windows, garage door).
Decrease the level of moisture and humidity in your home.
Reduce the number of insects in your home (spiders, flies, and other more damaging pests such as cockroaches, bedbugs, etc.).

It is important to note, however, that if centipedes already made their way into your home, these remedies will not eliminate the problem. Centipedes live up to 7 years. During that time, they will have plenty chances to reproduce and cause an infestation.

Centipedes in Your House?

The ideal environment for centipedes is warm and humid. For this reason, in Quebec, they invade homes and establish themselves in the warmest, most humid areas of the home.

Centipedes can befound more particularly in:

The basement

The bathroom

The laundry room

Walls behind a warm source, such as the washing machine or the dryer

Otherdamp areas (drains, sinks, bathtubs ventilation ducts, dampcellars, etc.)

If you noticed the presence of centipedes in your house, call a trusted exterminator like Supreme. One of our certified technicians will inspect the areas of your home and determine whether you may be dealing with a centipede infestation.

Eco-pro has experience and success in solving infestation problems. We have helped thousands of clients in Montreal, the South Shore and Laval. We will completely remove centipedes from your property, ensuring your home is safe again!