Centipedes
Brief Overview of Centipedes
Centipedes have a misleading name. Rather than 100 legs as their name suggests, these arthropods have anywhere from 15 to over 100 pairs of legs. Looking like something straight out of a low budget scary movie, centipedes are actually harmless pests.
What Do Centipedes Look Like?
Centipedes have long, flat, segmented bodies with many pairs of legs as we mentioned above. They also have claw-like pincers that contain venom. They use their claws to inject poison that paralyzes their prey. Yellowish-gray to darkish-brown in color, centipedes may have dark stripes or other markings on their bodies.
Where Do Centipedes Nest?
Outside, centipedes live in dark damp areas including:
- Under rocks
- Mulch
- Leaf piles
- Landscaping ties
When the weather outside becomes too hot or dry that they migrate inside looking for more humid environments to live in. Common places to find these pests inside include:
- Attics
- Crawl spaces
- Closets
- Bathrooms
- Basements
- Laundry rooms
What Do Centipedes Eat?
Centipedes are carnivorous predators that feed on soft-bodied insects, worms, spiders, and other centipedes. They may also feed on plant materials from time to time.
Are Centipedes Dangerous?
Though centipedes have venom in their jaws, they don’t have the strength to bite through skin. Their venom itself is not typically strong enough to cause any major reaction in people either. Centipedes are lumped into the nuisance pest category simply because their presence in homes and businesses is unwelcome.
How Do I Get Rid of Centipedes?
Evict unwanted centipedes from your home or business with help from trained pest control professionals. At Adams Exterminating, we offer home pest control services and commercial pest control solutions for properties in Lewisville, Denton, and throughout our North Texas service area. If you’re tired of nuisance centipedes and other pests trying to take over your space, please contact us today!
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