Centipedes are sometimes called “hundred-leggers” because of their many pairs of legs. However, contrary to what their name implies, they can have as many or more than 175 legs. They can be an extreme nuisance and some species can inflict a painful bite, but it is not lethal.

Habits Of Centipedes

Centipedes live outdoors but may come inside. They live in damp places, such as rotting logs, under stones, in trash, mulch, clippings. Indoors they may be found in moist basements or closets. Centipedes eat small insects, spiders, and sometimes plants. Most of the liquid they need comes from the digestion of their prey.

Females of one type of centipede produce 35 eggs over a period of days. Eggs are laid in or on the soil during the summer. Adults may live a year and some up to 5-6 years. They are nocturnal, which means they’re active at night.

Threats Posed By Centipedes

All those feet are meant for walking and they may wander into a damp bathroom, closet, basement, or potted plant. Outdoors centipedes are beneficial because they help control other insects that are their prey. However, when they come indoors they are considered a nuisance. Some can also give a painful, though not deadly, bite.

Centipede Prevention In Pennsylvania

Moist areas and harborage need to be reduced or eliminated for enhanced control. Removal of leaves, grass clippings, logs, stones, rocks, stored firewood, etc. up off the ground, in addition to ventilation in crawl spaces, are helpful in prevention. Application of residual materials by a pest management professional to support a solid IPM program is very effective, in addition to vacuuming of these pests with crevice tools.

Pittsburgh Centipede Control 

A highly skilled pest management professional should be contacted to evaluate the centipede activity in order to generate a customized solution. Our pest control pros in Pittsburgh, Baldwin, Glenshaw, and throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area resolve centipede problems utilizing a variety of treatment options including:

• Surveillance
• Baiting program
• Exclusion

To learn more about residential treatment options and commercial pest control services for centipedes and other household pests, contact Witt Pest Management today.