Centipedes

What do centipedes look like?

House centipedes have a low profile with long, thin bodies and several tangled legs on each side. While "centi" means one hundred, centipedes don’t actually have one hundred legs. A typical house centipede has 15 pairs of legs, totaling 30 altogether. That's enough to make these bugs far too creepy to be inside your home. You’ll often find centipedes clinging to walls and ceilings, motionless, trying to avoid detection. But they have a hard time sneaking up on you. Their tan and black coloration and size of up to 6 inches long will likely catch your eye.

Do centipedes bite, and are they venomous?

Yes, house centipedes can bite, but it's rare. They are not aggressive toward humans and will typically only bite if handled roughly. The bite occurs when modified legs near their mouth pierce the skin. These legs inject some venom, causing localized pain or a burning sensation. The bite will usually result in a red, swollen bump. Larger centipede species can deliver a bite akin to a bee sting, which may be more painful.
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What do centipedes eat?

If it’s protein, a centipede will eat it. Centipedes are voracious predators that roam your house at night in search of critters to eat. We say "critters" because they’ll eat six-legged insects, eight-legged spiders (and other arachnids), worms, maggots, caterpillars, moths, and more. If they can catch it and subdue it, they’ll eat it.
 

Are centipedes harmful?

Biting is only one of the ways that pests can pose a threat to human health. We’ve already discussed whether or not centipedes bite and how harmful their venom is. Let’s look at how they measure up with other pests in terms of impacting health:

• Do they spread viruses the way mosquitoes do? No. Centipedes cannot carry viruses like West Nile and Zika.
• Do they transmit diseases like ticks do? No. They cannot transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, or other disease.
• Do they pick up germs in trash receptacles and spread them around like ants? No. Centipedes prefer live meals. They’re not prone to getting into your trash for food—though they might hunt pests that do.
• Do they shed materials that aggravate asthma symptoms, like cockroaches? No. There is no link between centipedes and asthma symptoms.

We hope this gives you an understanding of how pests can cause harm.
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Do centipedes have nests?

No. Centipedes don’t create traditional nests like ants, wasps, and other creatures. Instead, they find a nice, moist, dark location to lay eggs. That location will then experience a burst of centipede activity, making it seem nest-like. Female centipedes usually lay between 10 and 60 eggs. Outdoors, they lay their eggs in the soil. Indoors, they prefer secluded spaces where humidity is high or moisture is present, but any structural void will do. Once deposited, the female leaves the eggs to hatch on their own.
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Why do centipedes come inside homes?

There are only a few reasons why centipedes enter homes. Let’s break them down:

• Opportunity: Centipedes are attracted to cracks, crevices, and holes. If they find an entry point into your home, they’ll likely explore it.
• Food: An abundance of food near your home will lure these pests close. If they find food indoors, they’ll stay.
• Moisture: Damp conditions near your home can attract centipedes, and high humidity inside your home will allow them to thrive.
• Temperatures: When outdoor temperatures drop, centipedes may seek warmth indoors.
• Flooding: When the ground outdoors becomes saturated, and puddles appear on the surface, centipedes will seek higher ground, often entering your home.

If you find centipedes in your home, take note. They're letting you know there are potential pest entry points and possible moisture issues.
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What’s the best way to eliminate centipedes?

Contact Big Time Pest Control for help exterminating centipedes and other house-infesting pests. Offering year-round pest protection for homes in Sacramento, Chico, Redding, Anderson, and elsewhere in Northern California, property owners can count on our team to keep insects and rodents away!
 

How can I prevent a centipede infestation?

To discourage centipedes, we recommend the following prevention tips: 

• Seal entry points
• Reduce moisture inside and out
• Remove potential food sources
• Reduce clutter
• Install or replace window screens