How to Treat My Home for Centipedes

Centipedes breathe through microscopic holes in their bodies called spiracles.

Centipedes are harmless to pets and humans, yet to find them in your home is both startling and unwelcome. House centipedes are easy to recognize by their 15 pairs of legs and 2.5-inch-long bodies. They have been known to bite people, but the bite is no more severe than that of a mosquito. Centipedes generally don't choose to live in houses, so to have a problem with infestation is rare. To get rid of them entirely is never possible if they are entering from outside, but doing some basic maintenance and cleanup will help to minimize their population in your home.

Things You'll Need

• Outdoor pesticide
• Caulk
• Weather stripping
• Dehumidifier
• Fly swatter
• Vacuum

Instructions

1. Get rid of debris and piles of mulch that are in your yard. Centipedes are attracted to moist dark places, especially wood and organic material. Create a dry zone by keeping flowerbeds and lawn two feet from the house, especially around basement windows. Apply a ready-to-use pesticide to the dry zone. See the Tips section for a list of recommended chemicals.

2. Caulk all cracks in sidewalks and on outside foundation walls. Use weather stripping around doors and windows. Sealing basement windows is especially important. Check for moisture and leaks around sink and toilet pipes and use caulk on these as well.

3. Check your basement, closets, bathrooms and crawl spaces for damp conditions and clean out any unnecessary items. Use a dehumidifier as needed. Keep these areas well ventilated and clutter free.

4. 

   Use an exterminator as a last resort when dealing with centipedes.

   Use a fly swatter or vacuum when you spot centipedes crawling around. Use of indoor pesticides is not recommended. Finding large numbers of centipedes is indicative of a larger problem with spiders, mites and other small insects that they eat. Call an exterminator if this is the case.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a pesticide that contains any of the following ingredients: beta cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, carbaryl, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, gamma cyhalothrin, lambda-cyhalothrin and permethrin, according to the University of Idaho Extension's Homeowner Guide to Centipedes and Millipedes .

• Check firewood before bringing it indoors, as dead wood is centipedes' most preferred living environment.

• Don't spray pesticides on firewood, as it can become very toxic when burned.

References

• University of Idaho Extension; Homeowner Guide to Centipedes and Millipedes; Edward John Bechinski and Frank W. Merickel
• Michigan State University: Department of Entomology: Basement Nasties