How to Get Rid of House Centipedes

House centipedes can be repulsive and annoying little creatures. Unlike your typical household insects, centipedes have 100 legs and move extremely quickly. House centipedes, in particular, thrive in the damp crevices of the home and controlling them takes time and effort. Pest-control products that specifically combat house centipedes can be effective, but eliminating their food supply and waterproofing your home can keep them out for good.

Things You'll Need

• Insecticide
• Spray bottle
• Sealant
• Caulk gun
• Mint and lemon tea bags
• Concrete mixture
• Sealed polyethylene moisture barrier
• Insect sticky traps

Instructions

1. Kill household centipedes on sight. Centipedes generally never infest homes, unless there is a high level of moisture, so you usually won't have to be concerned with a large number of them. Dispose of dead centipedes immediately in a sealed bag or container.

2. Sweep and vacuum every room in your home. Spray down kitchen countertops with a bleach-based solution and wipe down tables to remove all traces of food particles that can attract centipedes. Keep garbage areas clean.

3. Seal visible air spaces and pockets around the exterior of your home with exterior-rated caulk and a caulk gun. This will keep centipedes from entering the house.

4. Remove the centipedes' food supply. House centipedes consume food crumbs as well as spider larvae and other small insects. Keep a small bottle of insecticide spray to kill small insects on the spot. Trace the points where insects come in. Soak tea bags in mint or lemon juice and leave the bags near these entry points as insect deterrents.

5. Inspect all areas of your home for moisture and dampness. Centipedes thrive in dark, wet environments. Throw out moldy or damp household items and water-damaged furnishings.

6. Rectify the causes of excess dampness in your home, which attracts centipedes. Repair roof drainage problems and install energy-efficient windows. Install a sealed polyethylene moisture barrier your basement or utility room, then pour concrete over the barrier to prevent ground moisture from coming through the flooring. Insulate perimeter walls and cold pipes.

7. Replace any decaying wood you find in your home.

8. Set sticky insect traps in corners and dark locations of your home, where centipedes are most likely to hide out. Notice other insects that get trapped on sticky traps, to determine what other insects you need to eliminate.

References

• House Centipedes: Get Rid of House Centipedes
• Eartheasy: Natural Insect Pest Control
• Pestwall: House Centipedes Problems and Control Tips