How to Get Rid of House Centipedes

Centipedes are leggy insects that are generally harmless. In fact, centipedes are good for the ecosystem because they help control roaches, silverfish, flies, termites, and other pests. While they are venomous, they rarely bite humans, and their venom is not a serious threat to people unless someone has a specific allergy.

While there are various centipedes, only the house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) will reproduce indoors. House centipedes pose no real threat, but seeing their segmented bodies and multiple pairs of legs is not for the weak-hearted. Their presence may also indicate moisture in your home or an insect infestation you should address. Here’s everything you need to know about where these pests come from and how to prevent and eliminate house centipedes.

Causes of House Centipede Infestations

House centipedes thrive in warm, humid places. They are attracted to damp areas with high humidity and food sources. They feed on termites, cockroaches, bedbugs, and flies. If you are already dealing with an insect or fly infestation, centipedes will likely invade to help.

House centipedes gain access to homes through cracks in the foundation and other openings. They end up in damp places, such as the basement, bathroom, potted plants, garages, or other moisture-rich nooks and crannies.

These critters are sensitive to light. They seek shelter during the day and come out in the dark to find food. Thus, it can be challenging to spot them. You will likely find them in cluttered areas, storage spaces, and leaf litter, which are ideal hiding places. Excess mulch, decaying leaves, and tree bark outside a house also provide moist shelter that attracts centipedes.

How to Get Rid of House Centipedes

To eliminate house centipedes, block entry points, hiding places, and excess moisture in your home. Then, use traps, insecticides, or natural repellents to drive them out.

Natural Ways to Eliminate House Centipedes

Use a vacuum: If you see centipedes emerging from a specific place, use a vacuum to suck them out, empty the vacuum bag or cup into a sealable plastic bag, and throw it in an outside trash can.

Eliminate food sources: The presence of house centipedes could indicate another insect infestation. Eliminate roaches, moths, silverfish, termites, and other potential food sources.

Spray vinegar: Spray house centipedes with white vinegar to kill them. Do not dilute the vinegar with water.

Use natural repellants: House centipedes are sensitive to strong scents and avoid areas with strong aromas. You can use pandan leaves to deter centipedes. While they may smell impressive to humans, the scent drives away house centipedes and other pests. Other natural repellants include lemongrass and essential oils like tea tree and peppermint. Mix these essential oils with water and spray around possible entry points or places where you've seen the centipedes.

Sprinkle salt around damp areas or wall cracks: Sprinkle salt in places where water accumulates. This might include around pets' water containers, window sills, and basements.

Commercial Products to Get Rid of House Centipedes

Insecticides: Insecticides come in various forms, including aerosols, emulsifiable concentrate, or wettable powder specially formulated for indoor use. Insecticides containing bifenthrin or cypermethrin are known to kill centipedes on contact. Because insecticides are poisonous, follow the instructions and safety guidelines. Always keep these away from children and pets.

Mothballs: Mothballs produce naphthalene gas that is toxic to house centipedes. Put mothballs in places where you have spotted house centipedes to reduce their number considerably.

Boric acid: This is a low-toxicity option for getting rid of house centipedes. Boric acid kills them through dehydration. Apply the acid along all possible entry points.

Diatomaceous earth: Sprinkle this powdered substance liberally around all cracks, crevices, corners, and possible entry points, especially in damp places. The microscopic jagged edges of this powder pierce and penetrate centipede exoskeletons, slowly killing them by drying out their fats and oils. Leave the powder for a few days, then vacuum it up.

Sticky traps: Place glue traps where house centipedes have been seen or are likely to hide. They will become trapped in place when they crawl onto the sticky surface. Once the centipedes have been eliminated, remove the tape and safely dispose of it in outside trash cans.

If these methods for getting rid of house centipedes don't work, consider securing the help of professional exterminators. They have the relevant knowledge and tools to address this problem effectively. They can also offer integrated pest management that combines strategies to manage and prevent infestations.

How to Prevent House Centipedes in Your Home

The best way to prevent house centipedes from accessing your home is to seal up all cracks and crevices. Examine the house, walls, foundation, and around doors and windows to identify and seal all possible entry points. Add caulk and sealant as necessary.

The second way is to eliminate moisture and dampness. Running a dehumidifier will remove excess moisture from the house, making it less attractive to centipedes. Also, run exhaust fans in bathrooms, attics, and other places prone to high humidity. Repair leaks and fix any plumbing issues in your home to reduce moisture levels.

Last, centipedes seek damp and dark places to provide protection. Declutter and clean all living spaces regularly to remove potential hiding places. Vacuum regularly, clean, and keep all house drains and pipes clean, well-maintained, and free of organic matter, eliminating all possible food sources. Also, address any existing insect or fly infestations.