Creepy Crawler Alert: How to Get Rid of House Centipedes

House centipedes can strike fear into just about anyone who encounters them inside their home. These pests have worm-like bodies with multiple sets of long, creepy legs. House centipedes prefer to stay out of sight, so if you encounter one, it will most likely be an unwelcome surprise for both you and the centipede.

What do house centipedes look like?

The bodies of house centipedes appear to be flattened and elongated. Their bodies contain numerous segments, each of which includes a pair of legs. On the female house centipede, the last pair of legs are elongated to almost twice the length of her body, causing her to look even bigger and more threatening. "While they do have poisonous jaws that they use to inject venom and kill their prey, the jaws are not powerful enough to easily puncture human skin," according to PestWorld.org. "However, centipedes will occasionally bite in self-defense, which can cause some localized pain and swelling, similar to that of a bee sting."

How do you get house centipedes?

House centipedes come into your home in search of shelter and food. They prefer to spend their days in dark, damp places and their nights on the hunt for food. House centipedes eat other pests such as silverfish, cockroaches, and spiders — but that doesn't make homeowners any happier to see them. The presence of house centipedes can point to a potentially bigger issue with other pests in your home. If you start seeing a number of house centipedes, it is important that you take a hard look at the possibility of a serious secondary infestation.

How to check for house centipedes

A house centipede infestation can be difficult to spot because of the elusive behavior of this pest. Most of the time, house centipedes remain in damp and dark places throughout the majority of the day. If you want to check your home for house centipedes, you should start your search in any area that has a history of water problems. Under sinks and in the basement are good places to start looking for house centipedes. You can also check for house centipedes by watching for activity when they are typically active. If you are a night owl, take the opportunity to look around for house centipedes the next time you are up late. Start your search in areas such as the bathroom, kitchen, or basement where dampness is most likely to occur. Keep in mind they can run very fast and they run upright ... that's right ... they run on their hind legs!

How long can house centipede infestations last?

In the right conditions, female house centipedes can live for up to five years, and if they are injured they can regrow their legs. Also, during that long lifespan, the female centipede will reproduce multiple times. The Penn State Department of Entomology points out that a female centipede can have as many as 150 offspring in her lifetime. A house centipede infestation that starts small can grow to very large numbers over the span of a female centipede’s lifetime.

How to get rid of house centipedes, step by step

If you want to know how to get rid of house centipedes, start by following the step-by-step guidelines below. A few proactive steps on your part can help you get rid of the house centipedes currently in your home and prevent more from coming inside in the future.

Step 1: Deal with any water issues around your house.

House centipedes are attracted to areas that are dark and damp. If you have any water issues around your house—such as a leak under your kitchen sink—you are inadvertently creating an ideal space for house centipedes. Fixing water issues will make your home less attractive to this pest.

Step 2: Give your house a thorough cleaning.

Vacuuming out the corners and crevices of your home using a high-powered vacuum cleaner can suck up house centipedes that are trying to hide during the day. Be sure and dispose of the contents in a way that does not allow the centipedes to crawl back into your house.

Step 3: Get rid of other pests in your home.

House centipedes feed on other pests like cockroaches, silverfish, and spiders. If you have another type of pest infestation, it can attract house centipedes into your home. Eradicating other types of pests can help you get rid of house centipedes.

Products you can use to treat a house centipede infestation

• High-powered vacuum cleaner. A high-powered vacuum like the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E can be used to suck up house centipedes that are hard to reach by any other method.
• Sticky trap. Sticky traps like the Trapper Insect Trap placed strategically around your home can catch house centipedes when they come out to hunt for food.
• Pesticide spray. You can use a pesticide spray like Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer to eliminate house centipedes and protect your home from re-infestation.
• Pesticide granules. Pesticide granules like Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer Granules can be spread throughout the exterior of your home and kill house centipedes that are looking for a way inside.  

Don’t want to use chemical cleaners? Here’s how to get rid of house centipedes naturally

Learning how to get rid of centipedes naturally is not complicated. You start by removing the elements in your home that allow them to thrive, including damp areas and other pests. Once you are sure that you have eliminated the ideal environment for house centipedes so they won't return, you can start getting rid of the ones that are currently in your home. A high-powered vacuum and homemade sticky traps are two natural and easy ways to get rid of house centipedes without using chemical pesticides. Use your vacuum to clean areas that are hard to access and often get overlooked — these are ideal places for house centipedes. You can make homemade sticky traps by putting a layer of petroleum jelly on heavy paper or cardboard. Place the traps near areas where house centipedes are likely to be in order to catch and remove the pest.

When to call a professional exterminator to treat house centipedes

There are two situations when you should call a professional exterminator to treat house centipedes: when your efforts to eradicate them have failed, or when it becomes clear that their presence is a sign of another pest infestation. A stubborn house centipede infestation can be difficult to eliminate completely without professional help. When your centipede infestation points to another type of pest in your home, you should bring in help to ensure that you eliminate any and all pests.

How to keep house centipedes out of your house

Figuring out how to get rid of house centipedes and keep them out involves looking at the environment inside your home. Do you have damp, dark areas where house centipedes can hide? Are there other pests inside your home that house centipedes can feed on? If you answered yes to either question, the most important step you can take is to address the issues that are attracting house centipedes into your home.

The bottom line on house centipedes

The house centipede can be a scary sight for homeowners, and your first question may be, "Do centipedes bite?" Yes, house centipedes can bite and leave you with two red marks and localized pain. Fortunately, house centipede bites are uncommon and rarely cause any serious issues. These pests are much more interested in feeding on other types of pests. House centipedes spend days in dark, damp places and come out at night in search of other pests to eat, such as roaches, spiders, and silverfish. A house centipede infestation can point to issues with the pests that are their food supply. You can deal with house centipedes on your own with natural and chemical options or bring in the help of a pest control pro.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are house centipedes poisonous? You do not have to worry about house centipedes being poisonous unless you plan on eating them as an exotic snack. You may, however, be worried that this pest is venomous. Experts at Penn State point out that this pest does have venom but rarely causes any significant problems for humans who get bit. Do house centipedes have 100 legs? Female house centipedes have 15 pairs of legs. Who can help me deal with a house centipede infestation? Look to local pest control pros for help eradicating house centipedes from your home. Options for killing off some other types of pests can also be successful in eliminating house centipedes. What’s my first step if I want to get professional help dealing with house centipedes? Call a local pest pro and schedule a pest inspection for your home.