Centipedes and millipedes often enter homes through cracks in foundation walls, doors, and windows. Our team conducts a thorough inspection to find and seal these entry points, preventing the pests from getting inside.
Since centipedes and millipedes thrive in moist areas, it’s crucial to reduce humidity around your home. We recommend using dehumidifiers, fixing leaks, and ensuring proper drainage to make your home less inviting to these pests.
For centipede infestations, we use sticky traps and targeted treatments to capture adult centipedes and millipedes. These traps are effective at capturing pests in hard-to-reach areas like crawl spaces and basements.
Centipedes and millipedes may look similar, but they have distinct differences. Centipedes are known for their speed and carnivorous habits, while millipedes are slower and feed primarily on decaying plant material. Here’s what you need to know about these pests:
Centipedes have long, segmented bodies with a pair of legs per body segment. Depending on the species of centipedes, they can be inches long, with some adult centipedes growing to 6 inches or more. Centipedes are carnivorous and feed on other pests like insects and spiders, making them both beneficial and a nuisance. In some cases, centipede bites can occur, although these bites are typically not dangerous to humans.
Centipedes are predators that primarily feed on small insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. They hunt at night and use their speed and venomous claws to capture prey. Although centipedes help control other pests, their presence indoors can be alarming for homeowners.
Millipedes, on the other hand, have rounded bodies with two pairs of legs per body segment. They are generally harmless to humans but can become a nuisance when they appear in large numbers around the home. Millipedes feed on decaying plant material and are often found in moist areas like leaf litter, grass clippings, or under rocks and logs. In homes, millipedes often gather along basement walls or near entry points.
Millipedes move more slowly than centipedes, and their many legs work in a wave-like motion to help them crawl. Unlike centipedes, millipedes don’t bite or sting, making them less of a direct threat to humans. However, they can release a foul-smelling liquid as a defense mechanism.
Millipedes often appear in large numbers when there is an abundance of decaying organic material in and around your home. During rainy seasons, they may also enter homes to escape the wet conditions outside. While they are not harmful, their sheer numbers can make them a nuisance in basements and garages.
While centipedes and millipedes may look similar, they have distinct characteristics and behaviors:
Centipedes and millipedes are drawn to moist areas where they can find shelter and food. Common hiding spots include crawl spaces, basements, and other damp locations. They may also be attracted to areas with plenty of plant material or organic debris, such as leaf litter or grass clippings.
Preventing infestations requires addressing the conditions that attract these pests. Here are a few key strategies:
If you’re noticing small, multi-legged pests in your home, here’s how to determine if you’re dealing with a centipede or millipede infestation:
For reliable and long-lasting centipede and millipede control, contact Optimum Pest Control today. We offer customized solutions to eliminate these pests and protect your home for the long term.
While DIY methods, such as using sticky traps or removing organic debris, can help manage small populations of centipedes and millipedes, professional pest control offers more comprehensive and long-lasting solutions. DIY methods may provide temporary relief, but professional treatments from Optimum Pest Control target the root cause of the infestation and ensure that centipedes and millipedes are eliminated for good.
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