Centipedes
Centipedes can be an unsettling and difficult pest to control once they start to appear. Although they are often mistaken for harmless intruders, centipedes are predatory pests whose presence indicate underlying conditions that require EcoShield's professional assistance.
Often entering though small cracks, gaps in doors and windows, centipedes are attracted to dark, damp environments where other insects are present. Centipedes feed on a wide range of household pests, and because they hide in basements, bathrooms, or moisture-prone areas, centipede activity is often more widespread than what the eye can see.
Centipedes are primarily nocturnal pests, which allow infestations to go unnoticed until sightings become more frequent, and eliminating visible centipedes alone will not resolve the problem. EcoShield Pest Solutions focuses on identifying conducive conditions and implementing a targeted treatment to eliminate future activity.
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COMMON TYPES OF centipedes IN YOUR HOME
Determining the species of centipede you are dealing with can be a difficult task. Not all centipedes found inside of homes are the same. Different species behave in different ways, prefer different environments, and require unique approaches to control. Correctly identifying the type of centipede you are dealing with is important to treat the issue. While some centipedes thrive in indoor conditions, others sneak in accidentally through various openings. Understanding what you are dealing with helps to explain where they are coming from, why they are present, and how EcoShield Pest Solutions can help!
HOUSE CENTIPEDES
House centipedes are the most common species found inside of homes in the United States. Welladapted to indoor environemtns, house centipedes arefrequently discovered in basements, bathrooms, and moistureprone areas. Primarily, house centipedes feed on other insects and their presenceindicates underlying pest or moisture issues.
- 1″ – 1 1/2″ in size
- Yellowish-gray with dark striping
- Equipped with long legs and antennae
- Primarily active at night
STONE CENTIPEDES
Stone centipedes are less common to be found indoors, however they may enter homes accidentally, especially during periods of heavy rain or temperature changes. Typically, stone centipedes live outdoors under rocks, mulch, and debris, but may wander into your establishment through openings in foundation.
- Smaller than house centipedes, under 1"
- Brown, may display a reddish tint
- Commonly found in basements or ground level areas
SOIL CENTIPEDES
Soil centipedes primarily live outdoors in soil and leaves,but can enteryour home through gaps or cracks at a ground level. These types of centipedes are less freuqent to be seen because they remain hidden and move at a slow pace. Indoor presence of this particular species usually indicates a moisture or soil-related entry issue.
- Long and narrow
- Yellowish to light brown
- Often mistaken for worms at first glance
- Typically found in crawl spaces or near foundation
GROUND BEETLES
Although they are primarily outdoor insects, ground beetles do enter homes accidentally, especially during the changing of seasons. Ground beetles do not reproduce indoors, but their presence can be persistent and annoying.
- 1/4"-1/2" an inch in size
- Dark brown or black
- Fast movers, commonly found in basement or entry points
WHAT ARE HOUSE CENTIPEDES?
House centipedes (scutigera coleoptrata) are the most common centipede homeowners encounter in the United States. This species can be easily identified by their long legs and fast movement. Although house centipedes are mostly seen running across floors or climbing up walls, they spend most of their time hidden in dark, dark areas.
House centipedes prefer environments with moisture and shelter. As a result of this, they are commonly found in basements, bathrooms, crawl spaces, and more. Their presence is often indicative of excess humidity, water sources, or access points. House centipedes are predatory creatures, who feed on other insects such as ants, spiders, and flies. While they do not cause structural damage, their presence usually indicates underlying conditions that support pest activity. Effective control requires more than removing individual centipedes.
Prevention is usually much easier and more manageable than attempting to treat an infestation. If you’ve experienced ant problems in the past or are concerned that your home may be at risk, contact EcoShield for an inspection and front-line treatment plan. Protecting yourself prior to ants becoming a problem is the single best way to avoid ants altogether. Our year-round Shield Protection Plan can also prevent and control ants before they become a problem.
SEE CENTIPEDES? TAKE THESE STEPS
If you see one centipede, it’s safe to say that there are more crawling around in your walls, between the cracks, and reproducing where you can’t see them. Your centipede problem will not go away on its own, and some pest control methods are ineffective.
Want to get rid of your ants for good? Follow these steps:
- Step 1: Call EcoShield Pest Solutions today for a free estimate.
- Step 2: Avoid trying to treat your beetle problem before our team of experts can properly identify the type of ant invading your property.
- Step 3: Schedule a time that works best for you. The pest control technicians at EcoShield always strive to accommodate your schedule.
- Step 4: Watch your pest control problem disappear and eliminate your stress and worry.
At EcoShield, we help you through every step of the pest control treatment process. Whether you have general questions about ants in your home or you need to get rid of a damaging infestation, our experts are trained to answer any questions and provide the best solution for you.
For a FREE No-Obligation Estimate, please call our office or fill out the form at the top right section of this page.