How Centipedes are Harmful to Your Health?

Centipedes are venomous insects. They have long bodies and several legs. Centipede bites cause harmful effects to our health as Centipede venom contains a diverse combination of toxins that cause severe body pain as well as have significant side effects, including anaphylaxis, cardiac ischemia, and neurotoxicity. Centipede pest control is a need of everyone to protect themselves from these venomous insects. Although Centipedes feed on spiders, cockroaches, and other insects, this doesn't mean they are harmless. Centipedes are found in areas of high moisture, such as loose bark, in rotting logs, under stones. When they invade our premises, they are most commonly found in damp basements, crawlspaces, bathrooms, or potted plants. Centipedes don’t leave any evidence for you that they are inside your home. They don’t even rest in a regular place for more time, they find a new hiding place each day.

You’re most likely to get sight upon a centipede by accident. You’ll spot if it is resting on a wall, coming out from underneath a box, or trapped in a sink basin or tub.

Common Things that Attracts Centipedes the Most

Centipedes require moisture, food, and shelter. Unlike many other insects, they lack a special moisture-preserving cuticle. Without that moisture cuticle, they will dry out and die in a couple of days, that's why they need a constant source of moisture. House centipedes remain active or hunt for a very long time until they’re in a humid environment. That's why they’re attracted to dark and, damp environments that remain humid all the year. If centipedes are in your home, they’re finding moisture or water somewhere inside the house. The centipedes are predators. These small insects primarily feed on small arthropods and insects such as silverfish, firebrats, spiders, carpet beetles, and more. Unfortunately, that means if you have house centipedes in your home, you have other bugs too. Like spiders, centipedes often follow their prey indoors. Once inside, they’re never in a rush to move, especially if they find a place with a dark and damp environment. Centipedes cover themselves in the dark while hunting. Boxes, bags, and debris are the primary places that suit their purposes just fine.

4 Ways to Get Rid of Centipedes

There are numerous ways in which we can get rid of this pest by using some precautionary measures. Some of the measures are:-

1. Reduce Moisture - Centipedes require moist and humid environments to live in. To eliminate these areas, repair water leaks from the taps and ceilings, use dehumidifiers to keep basements dry, and use exhaust fans in bathrooms and attics to eliminate excess moisture of the environment.

2. Remove Clutter - Centipedes lookout for spaces that provide protection. Reducing clutter in basements and attics will limit their ability to hide. 

3. Eliminate their food sources - Controlling other insects and spiders inside your house also help in eliminating no. of centipedes as they feed on insects and can't stay at a place for long with no source of food.

4. Seal entryways - Seal holes, repair cracks, and gaps in the walls and ceiling outside of your house to keep centipedes and other pests from getting inside of your house.

But if centipedes enter your premises and you don't have any clue about where they are hiding, then Centipide pest control would be the best way for you to get rid of these venomous insects as you have no idea when they become harmful to you.