Centipedes can look very intimidating because of the way they move and their many legs, but centipedes are generally quite harmless. Even though you probably don’t want them in or around your home, there are still many interesting things to learn about centipedes. Let’s take a look at a few of them, and then we’ll give some tips about how to keep them out of your house.
1. Centipede Means “Hundred Legs”
When looking at a centipede, it is easy to see how they got their name. Their many legs are their most obvious features. The name is a little bit of a misnomer, however, because centipedes actually never have 100 legs. They have one pair of legs per body segment and always have an odd number of pairs, so they can never have exactly 100 legs. Most centipedes have between 15-30 pairs of legs.
2. Centipedes are Carnivores
Centipedes are predators that hunt down insects for food. They commonly eat things like spiders, flies, roaches, and silverfish. Large centipedes can even eat things like birds and frogs.
3. Centipedes Are Not Dangerous
Although centipedes are poisonous and can inject venom to kill their prey, they are generally not dangerous to humans. Their jaws cannot easily puncture skin, and their poison does not usually harm humans. If a centipede bites in self-defense, it may feel a bit like a bee sting, with slight pain and swelling.
4. Centipedes Come in a Wide Range of Sizes
There are over 8,000 different species of centipedes. While the most common house centipede is only an inch or two long, some species can grow to be 11 inches long!
5. Centipedes are Nocturnal
The reason you seldom see centipedes is because they are nocturnal creatures. They are active during the night when they hunt. During the day, they prefer to hide in dark, moist areas. Common hiding places are under rocks and leaves and in rotting wood. You may also occasionally see centipedes in bathtubs or sinks where they have become trapped.
Centipede Control
Centipedes are unique creatures, but they can be admired from afar and not in your house. To control centipedes, try the following:
- Get rid of excess moisture around your home by fixing leaky pipes and faucets, clogged gutters, and poor landscaping
- Declutter to get rid of harborages
- Control other insects to get rid of their food supply
- Seal potential entryways around the exterior of your home
- Hire a pest control company to apply a barrier around your home
If you are having trouble with centipedes or other pests on the Sunshine Coast, Radar Pest Control is your best source for effective treatments and excellent customer service. Contact us today for all of your Sunshine Coast pest control needs.