Centipedes
What is a Centipede?
As a result of their large leg count, centipedes are known by a variety of common names, including “hundred-leggers” and “house centipedes.” The majority of the United States and the rest of the world are covered by their reach. Due to their nighttime habits and rapid movement, centipedes are rarely spotted by people. Centipedes have a lifespan of over a year, and some species can even reach six years. Keep reading for more interesting information on centipedes.
Centipede Identification
What do centipedes look like?
You may recognize a house centipede by its many pairs of legs and its elongated, worm-like body. Depending on the species, they may have anywhere from 15 to 177 legs, with each segment having its own set. One oddity of centipedes is that they never have an even number of leg pairs.
A centipede’s body can range in color from a light yellow to a deep brown, and it often features darker stripes or other patterns. Centipedes have two long, sensitive antennae on top of their heads. The venom gland is housed in a huge, claw-like structure while the mouth is relatively small. Some species of centipede have compound eyes with as many as 200 optical units; others have either a cluster of simple eyes on either side of the head or none at all.
Two typical species exist. Scutigera coleoptrata, or the common house centipede, is a common kind of pest (Linnaeus). The length of this particular centipede ranges from 25 to 38 mm, or roughly 1 to 1 1/2 inches. The three black bands that run lengthwise on its body give it a grayish yellow color. There are 15 pairs of legs on a typical home centipede. The legs and antennae are much longer than the rest of its body. The centipedes of the genus Scolopendra can reach lengths of up to 6 inches (15 centimeters). When compared to the common house centipede, both the legs and antennae of these creatures are noticeably shorter.
Signs of an infestation
The only sure symptom of a centipede infestation is the appearance of the bug itself.
Centipedes Prevention
How to get rid of house centipedes
Getting rid of standing water around your house is the best approach to ward off centipedes. Get rid of the wood, pebbles, stones, logs, weeds, and grass that have accumulated on your land. Keep firewood in a rack rather than on the floor. Basements, attics, and crawl spaces need proper air circulation. To prevent outdoor centipedes from entering your home, seal any openings they could use to do so.
A centipede found inside can be easily removed with a vacuum cleaner. On the other hand, if you think you have a pest problem, you should seek the advice of an expert.
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to pest control, many people believe it is best to wait until there is a problem before taking action. At this stage, exterminating bugs may be both expensive and inconvenient for you. Because of the savings you’ll save on future treatments as well as the assurance that your house is bug-free, preventive pest control is an excellent investment.
It is common for pest control treatments to include a wide range of products. In order to provide you with the best possible solution, an expert will perform an in-depth assessment of your house. Conventional pesticide treatments are often used in pest management, depending on the specifics of your circumstance.
We recommend contacting our office to get a quote for your specific pest control requirements since the level of infestation and the surrounding environment affect the price.
On Demand does NOT charge for inspections. Our objective is to provide each customer with a personalized strategy. We know where to look for certain types of bugs, and we will perform a full inspection to find them. Additionally, we will also check for any other type of pest that may have made their way into your home. Each strategy takes into account the specifics of the property, issue, and the surrounding area. You may request an inspection by contacting (954) 947-0805.
