Their presence often indicates broader moisture problems and prey species availability that require comprehensive assessment and integrated management approaches.

What Are Centipedes?

Centipedes belong to the class Chilopoda, demonstrating unique anatomical and physiological characteristics that create strict environmental requirements determining habitat suitability.

• Anatomical characteristics: House centipedes (Scutigera coleoptrata) and other common indoor species possess elongated, flattened bodies with 15-177 segments depending on species, each bearing a single pair of legs that enable rapid movement across surfaces.
• Respiratory system limitations: Centipedes breathe through spiracles and tracheal systems that lack moisture conservation mechanisms, creating continuous water loss that requires high environmental humidity for survival.
• Cuticular permeability: Unlike insects, centipedes possess relatively permeable exoskeletons that provide minimal protection against desiccation, making them highly vulnerable to low humidity conditions.
• Water balance requirements: These arthropods must maintain positive water balance through environmental moisture absorption and prey consumption, requiring relative humidity above 60% for survival and 75%+ for optimal activity.
• Behavioral adaptations: Centipedes demonstrate strict nocturnal behavior and preference for protected microhabitats that minimize desiccation stress while enabling access to prey and refuge from predators.

Why Centipedes Flock to Basements

Basements develop unique microclimates that align precisely with centipede physiological requirements through moisture accumulation, temperature stability, and limited disturbance.

• Poor ventilation, groundwater seepage, condensation, and inadequate drainage create relative humidity levels often exceeding 75% that enable centipede survival and reproduction. Below-grade spaces maintain relatively cool, stable temperatures (15-20°C) that reduce desiccation stress while remaining within centipede activity ranges.
• Perpetual darkness eliminates photophobic constraints while creating conditions favoring nocturnal predators that dominate basement arthropod communities. Basements provide numerous hiding places including cracks, crevices, stored materials, and utility spaces that offer protection during inactive periods.
• Minimal human activity allows centipede populations to establish territories and hunting patterns without regular displacement or mortality from cleaning activities.

Prey Opportunities

Centipede basement populations depend on diverse prey communities whose establishment reflects the same moisture conditions that attract centipedes.

Silverfish, cockroaches, spiders, springtails, and various other moisture-dependent arthropods provide essential nutrition for centipede populations. Centipedes employ active hunting using speed and venom rather than web-based capture, requiring sufficient prey density to sustain energy expenditure.

Centipede populations typically remain proportional to available prey, with abundance indicating established food webs supporting multiple trophic levels. As predators, centipedes provide some pest control benefits by consuming nuisance species, though their presence often indicates problematic moisture conditions.

Prey availability, moisture conditions, and intraspecific competition determine centipede population levels rather than direct human intervention.

Need Help with Centipede Pest Control?

When centipede problems in basements continue despite moisture reduction efforts, Aptive’s pest control experts provide the comprehensive solutions necessary for lasting results. Our pest control service performs detailed basement assessments to identify moisture sources, prey populations, and environmental conditions driving continued centipede establishment in below-grade spaces.

If you’re experiencing persistent centipede activity in basements, dealing with moisture problems that attract multiple pest species, or need professional assessment of other pest issues, contact Aptive today for a free quote.

The post Centipedes in Basements: The Moisture Connection appeared first on Aptive Pest Control.

Why Houseplants Attract Centipedes

Centipedes are naturally drawn to two key elements that your houseplants provide in abundance: moisture and hidden food sources. The soil in your potted plants retains water after watering, which attracts small insects and arthropods that centipedes actively hunt. If you tend to overwater your plants or your pots have poor drainage, the resulting increased moisture makes the environment even more appealing to these fast-moving predators.

The organic material present in potting soil, mulch, and plant debris serves as a perfect habitat for the small creatures that centipedes feed on. If your houseplants already have issues with fungus gnats, mites, or other tiny insects, centipedes will happily stay nearby to take advantage of this steady food supply.

Where Centipedes Hide in Houseplants

Here are some of the most common places where you are most likely to find centipedes in your plants.

Under the Soil Surface

Centipedes commonly burrow just below the soil surface to stay cool and hidden from view. If the top layer of your potting soil remains consistently damp, these pests have easy access to both moisture and food without being exposed to light or disturbance.

Inside Drainage Holes

The bottom of plant pots offers the perfect hiding place. The darkness and slight humidity of drainage holes create a safe space for centipedes to rest.

Beneath Leaves and Plant Debris

If fallen leaves, organic matter, or decorative mulch collect around the base of your plants, centipedes may use these materials as convenient shelter. Dead plant material also attracts various small insects that centipedes feed on, creating a complete ecosystem that supports these pests. Regularly checking beneath larger leaves can often reveal centipedes hiding in wait for prey.

How to Make Your Houseplants Less Appealing to Centipedes

Here are some tips to help you avoid attracting centipedes to your plants.

Improve Soil Drainage

One of the biggest reasons centipedes settle in houseplants is excessive moisture retention. You can make your plants less attractive to these pests by using pots with proper drainage holes and avoiding overwatering. Make it a habit to allow the top layer of soil to dry out between waterings, which helps reduce the moisture levels that centipedes prefer.

Remove Organic Debris

Decaying leaves and organic material create ideal conditions for both centipedes and their prey. Take time to regularly clean up fallen leaves and debris from around your plants. This simple maintenance step eliminates potential hiding spots and reduces the food sources that might attract centipedes to your indoor garden.

Reduce Excess Moisture

While many houseplants require humidity to thrive, try not to overdo misting or create excessively damp conditions. Finding the right balance is important—excess moisture not only invites centipedes but also fosters other pest problems like fungus gnats and mold. Consider using a humidity tray with pebbles rather than direct misting to maintain appropriate moisture levels.

Keep Plants Elevated

A simple but effective strategy is placing your plants on stands or shelves rather than directly on the floor. This elevated positioning makes it significantly harder for centipedes to reach your plants. When pots sit directly on the floor, centipedes can easily crawl inside through drainage holes or over the rim of the container.

Monitor for Other Pests

If your houseplants are already dealing with insect issues, centipedes will likely follow these food sources. Addressing existing infestations of aphids, fungus gnats, or spider mites reduces the food supply that keeps centipedes around. Treating these primary pest problems often naturally reduces centipede activity as well.

Signs That Centipedes Are Living in Your Houseplants

Here are some tell-tale signs that you might be dealing with a centipede problem in your houseplants. If you see these often, it is often worth it to contact a professional pest control company to help you solve your problem.

Sudden Movement When Watering

Centipedes are extremely fast and will quickly dart away when disturbed. If you notice small, multi-legged pests rapidly moving away when you water your plants or disturb the soil, you’re likely dealing with centipedes. Their characteristic quick movement helps distinguish them from slower-moving pests.

Frequent Sightings Near Plants

If you regularly spot centipedes in the vicinity of your indoor plants, they’re probably using your greenery for shelter and hunting grounds. Pay attention to patterns—centipedes appearing repeatedly near the same plants might indicate specific conditions in those pots that are particularly attractive to them.

Presence of Other Small Insects

Since centipedes feed on small bugs, an unusual increase in fungus gnats, soil mites, or other tiny pests can be an indirect sign that centipedes may be present. These predators follow their food sources, so addressing underlying insect problems is often key to controlling centipedes.

What to Do if Centipedes Keep Appearing

If centipedes continue to appear in your houseplants despite your best prevention efforts, you might be dealing with a more persistent issue that requires professional attention and centipede control. Recurring sightings could indicate underlying problems with moisture control or a substantial insect infestation that’s providing a sustainable food source.

Our pest control service can provide a thorough inspection to identify all factors contributing to your centipede problem. Get a free quote today to learn how we can help you protect your indoor plants from these and other pests.

The post Why Do Centipedes Love Your Houseplants? appeared first on Aptive Pest Control.

Understanding the differences between centipedes and millipedes and whether they pose any danger to you, your pets, or your home is important for effective pest control. We’ll break down key facts and provide some practical tips to keep these pests out of your living spaces.

Key Difference Between Centipede and Millipede

At first glance, centipedes and millipedes might seem similar, but they are quite different. Knowing the difference between a centipede and a millipede helps in understanding what kind of risk, if any, they pose.

• Centipedes: Are fast-moving creatures that have long, flattened bodies with one pair of legs per body segment. Centipedes are predatory and often feed on insects, which is why they’re attracted to damp environments where other pests thrive. Their speed and appearance often make them seem more threatening than they are.
• Millipedes: They have more rounded bodies and two pairs of legs per body segment. They move slowly and feed on decaying organic matter using a sucking pump to ingest liquid food. You’ll often find millipedes outdoors in gardens, compost piles, or under logs and rocks.

Are Centipedes and Millipedes Harmful?

The sight of a centipede can be alarming, but is the harm of a centipede something to worry about? For the most part, centipedes are not harmful to humans. While some larger species can deliver a bite, this is rare, and the effects are mild for most people. A centipede bite may feel similar to a bee sting, causing some redness and swelling, but it’s not dangerous unless you have an allergic reaction.

Unlike centipedes, millipedes are not predators and do not bite. However, the question of millipede danger still comes up. Millipedes defend themselves by releasing a foul-smelling fluid when threatened, which can irritate skin or eyes. This toxin may cause further allergic reactions in some people. It is therefore recommended to use gloves if you must handle millipedes, as distinguishing the type of millipede can be difficult.

The Chemicals which are present in some millipedes and harmful in humans include:

• Hydrochloric acid
• Hydrogen cyanide
• Organic acids
• Phenol
• Cresols
• Benzoquinones
• Hydroquinones (in some millipedes)

Because they feed on organic matter, millipedes can become an issue in high numbers around gardens or homes with lots of organic debris.

4 Ways to Prevent Centipedes and Millipedes From Entering Your Home

Keeping both centipedes and millipedes out of your home involves managing the environmental factors that attract them. Here are some tips for centipede pest control and millipede pest control that can make a big difference:

1. Reduce Moisture Levels

Both centipedes and millipedes are drawn to moisture. Reducing humidity in your home is a key step in controlling their presence. Use dehumidifiers in basements, bathrooms, and other damp areas. Fix any leaky pipes and ensure proper ventilation in your home to keep moisture levels low.

Outside, make sure your yard drains properly. Water pooling near your home’s foundation creates the perfect environment for millipedes and centipedes to thrive.

2. Eliminate Hiding Spots

Centipedes and millipedes love hiding in dark, damp areas. Remove clutter from your home, particularly in areas like basements, attics, and closets where pests can hide. Outdoors, piles of leaves, mulch, or firewood stacked against the house provide ideal habitats for these critters.

Sealing cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and your home’s foundation can help block entry points.

3. Manage Organic Debris

Since millipedes feed on decaying organic matter, keeping your yard and garden clear of debris is essential. Rake up leaves, grass clippings, and other organic materials that can attract them. Compost piles should be kept away from your home’s foundation to prevent millipedes from wandering inside.

4. Control Other Pests

Centipedes are drawn to homes with insect infestations. If you have a problem with spiders, cockroaches, or other pests, centipedes will follow. To keep them away, ensure you’re controlling other pests in your home.

Fix Your Multi-Legged Pest Problem With Aptive

Are centipedes and millipedes making themselves a nuisance in your space? At Aptive, we understand how unsettling that can be, and we are here to help. Our team specializes in pest control services, focusing on getting rid of these unwanted guests and preventing them from returning.

We’ll thoroughly inspect your home, identify where they’re sneaking in, and work with you to create a millipede and centipede pest control plan that fits your needs. Contact us now for a complimentary quote, and let’s get your home back to being a cozy haven without these pests giving you a problem!

The post Are Centipedes and Millipedes Harmful? appeared first on Aptive Pest Control.

People tend to be terrified of them because of their large number of legs and quick speed. Are centipedes dangerous though? Keep reading to learn if they can harm you and how to get rid of them in your home.

Are Centipedes Dangerous?

Although they can bite humans, centipede venom isn’t strong enough to cause harm. They also rarely bite unless they are threatened. It can be pretty painful when they do bite (the larger the centipede, the more painful the bite will be). The only circumstance where a centipede bite could be dangerous is when someone is allergic to the venom.

Are house centipedes venomous?

Centipedes found in the house are venomous as well, but still harmless unless you’re allergic. However, a house centipede can actually be a good thing if you have issues with other insects. They hunt roaches, moths, silverfish, termites, and many other bugs. You definitely don’t want a centipede infestation, but just one centipede can get rid of other bug issues you may have.

Centipedes vs. Millipedes

Many people have difficulties telling the difference between centipedes and millipedes since they are fairly similar looking (even their names sound the same). However, there are a few differences between the two. For one, their diet is very different – centipedes are carnivorous, while millipedes feed on decaying organic matter or roots and leaves of seedling plants. Because of this, centipedes have venom that kills their prey.

In addition, their legs are spread out differently. Since centipedes need to chase prey, their legs are longer and help them run faster. Millipedes have shorter legs and they are much slower. Centipedes have one pair of legs on each body segment, while millipedes have two pairs of legs per body segment. Millipedes are typically smaller than centipedes. When performing millipede extermination, slightly different measures may be taken since they bite.

While centipedes bites can be unsettling, it’s crucial to remember they are generally more afraid of you than you are of them. These critters use their venom to subdue their prey, not as a defense against humans. So, unless provoked or threatened, it’s rare for centipedes to bite humans. If bitten, the site might be red and a bit swollen, but these symptoms are typically mild and resolve quickly without serious health consequences.

Keeping Centipedes Out of Your Home

Although typically harmless, most don’t want these creepy crawlers in their house and squish them. However, killing them can be bad because centipedes usually come inside homes only when there are other insects to eat. You might be scared of centipedes, but their presence could be a sign you have an entirely different insect infestation on your hands. The most effective way to get rid of centipedes in the home is to get rid of their food source (other bugs).

One way to help with this is to seal off any cracks or other holes that insects can use to get inside your home. Additionally, use a dehumidifier or install a bathroom fan to eliminate extra moisture in the walls that attracts insects. You might need to take further measures if you have an actual infestation.

Professional Pest Control

If you have bug problems that you can’t eliminate on your own, professional pest control will likely be needed. Aptive Pest Control offers centipede extermination as well as other bug extermination (cockroach extermination, silverfish extermination, and many more) that will eliminate the bugs centipedes are attracted to. We are so confident in our expertise, we will come back at no additional cost if the bugs come back!

The post Are Centipedes Venomous? appeared first on Aptive Pest Control.

Centipedes

No two centipedes are the same. Some centipedes can be as short as a 1/4 of an inch, while others, such as the giant desert centipede, can measure up to 6 inches in length. They have segmented bodies with each segment containing a pair of legs. Centipedes may be dark brown, red, or yellow in color. They require moisture to survive and prefer to live in dark, humid environments. Indoors, centipedes are typically found in basements or bathrooms. Outdoors, centipedes like to hide under rocks, damp leaves, and logs.

Unlike millipedes, centipedes can be venomous. Using their maxillipeds, a modified pair of front legs, centipedes inject venom into their prey to paralyze them. Centipedes are carnivorous creatures and like to feed on cockroaches, spiders, earthworms, and other small insects. As a result, they can be helpful when it comes to controlling common household pests.

Though it’s not very common, centipedes can bite people. If bitten by a centipede, you may experience a reaction similar to that of a bee sting. You should seek medical attention if you experience a severe reaction. In order to keep from getting bit, you should never pick up a centipede.

Millipedes

Just as no two centipedes are the same, no two millipedes are either. For example, your common millipede is typically about 1 inch in length, while the Giant African millipede can reach up to 15 inches in length. Like centipedes, millipede bodies have segments. However, millipedes have two pairs of legs per segment rather one pair. They are brown or black in color and also require moisture to survive. Millipedes may enter your home through cracks in your foundation and will typically seek out a basement or bathroom to take shelter in. More commonly, they are found outside in damp leaf litter or mulch.

Unlike centipedes, millipedes are not venomous and they do not hunt prey. Instead, millipedes are detritivores. They eat decaying leaves and plant matter. As a result, millipedes help in the recycling of nutrients, which can be beneficial to plant life and soil health. However, in dry conditions, millipedes may start feeding on your living plants, which can be a major nuisance.

Understanding the Difference Between Centipedes and Millipedes

While both millipedes and centipedes are part of the myriapoda subphylum, there are significant distinctions between them that affect their behavior, diet, and habitat preferences. Centipedes, with their venomous capabilities and carnivorous diet, serve as natural predators in their environments, actively hunting down insects such as spiders and earthworms. Conversely, millipedes are peaceful detritivores, primarily feeding on decomposing organic material, which makes them vital for ecological nutrient cycling but less aggressive compared to centipedes.

How Aptive can Help

The most important step in controlling these pests is to remove what is attracting them in the first place. When you use Aptive, a knowledgeable service professional will conduct a thorough inspection of your property and determine why centipedes and millipedes are attracted to your home and yard. Additionally, they will provide you with helpful methods and suggestions to prevent centipedes and millipedes from entering your home. For example, your service professional may tell you to clean up or remove leaf piles, compost piles and other popular hiding places for centipedes and millipedes. They will also make sure your doors and windows are well-sealed, and point out any cracks or crevices that may permit entry to your home.

An Aptive professional will then develop a suitable treatment plan based on your specific needs, and will treat your property with care and respect. Once treated, an Aptive service professional will conduct a follow-up inspection and apply additional treatments if necessary.

If you notice large numbers of millipedes or centipedes on your property, call Aptive Pest Control to receive a quote and schedule your service today.

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