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You may think of centipedes as common insects, but they are more closely related to shrimp, crayfish, and lobsters than to many other bugs. Some people call them “hundred leggers,” but the name “centipede” really means “hundred feet.”. By implementing these house centipede prevention tips, you create an environment that is less appealing to these pests. Prevention is the best way to keep your home centipede-free and more comfortable for you and your family. Preventing house centipedes from invading your home is an essential step in maintaining a pest-free environment.
Pantry Foods That Never Expire
Although you may not like the sight of house centipedes, they can be helpful in controlling more concerning pests. Getting rid of other pests from your house will go a long way toward reducing the number of house centipedes you see. Centipedes are generally dark brown or yellow and sometimes have darker colors and markings. Adult centipedes have three dark parallel lines running from their head to the rear end of their bodies and a hair-covered pair of antennae on their heads. While some centipede species have compound eyes containing up to 200 optical units, others have a few simple eyes on each side of the head. If you see house centipedes emerging from various cracks or crawl spaces, try using a high-powered vacuum cleaner to suck them out.
What Attracts House Centipedes?
Whether you prefer natural or chemical methods, here are some effective solutions that get rid of a house centipede infestation. Unlike most other centipedes, house centipedes and their close relatives have well-developed faceted eyes. You’ll be glad to know that it doesn’t have much of an effect at all.
Where are you likely to find centipedes?
This venom is injected when they bite as a way to subdue their prey so they can eat it. The amount of venom used when a centipede bites is tiny, so it’s not likely to impact a human very much. The biggest worry with a bite, instead, is the pain of the bite, which will go away quickly. Some people, however, are allergic to the venom used by the centipede, so they should take care to avoid the centipedes and have them removed from the home if they’re seen. House centipedes are skilled hunters that prey on insects and other arthropods.
If you notice that your bite isn’t getting any better, or that you’ve had an allergic reaction, you should seek out medical attention. There are various ways to keep centipedes out of your home—or at least make it more difficult for them to move in—beyond banishing the bugs they eat. In addition to using a dehumidifier, run your bathroom fan for a solid five minutes after a bath or shower to remove moisture. Seal up any cracks or crevices where house centipedes may be sneaking in, and caulk all baseboards and door and window casings.
They can complete their entire life cycle indoors, feeding on insects while shielded from the elements. Although the pests are generally not harmful, issues can arise when centipedes live close to people. Researchers must continue to study centipede bites to determine the effect of the different components of centipede venom on humans. In this article, we discuss the possible symptoms and treatments of a centipede bite, as well as the outlook for a person who receives one. Centipedes are great at finding hiding spaces, attracted to the dark and damp spots such as a pile of wet towels or hard-to-get-to crawl spaces in the attic. If there are enough of these hospitable environments, plus other pests as a plentiful food source, you can quickly find yourself with a centipede infestation.
Ways to Remove House Centipedes
Centipede bites may become infected if not kept clean and the bite wound is not disinfected and properly treated. Sprays or dusts should be applied to sites where centipedes are suspected such as cracks and crevices in concrete slabs, block walls, etc. On the other hand, the giant desert centipede (Scolopendra heros) found in the Southwest, is a very large centipede that can reach 8 – 10 inches in length.
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However, serious bite effects are more likely to be the result of secondary infection than the bite itself. Because house centipedes prefer warm and wet environments, they’re frequently found in the Southern states. However, you’ll also find them in Northern basements, taking shelter from the cold outside. Thankfully, centipedes consider insects their prey, not humans. But like many animals who feel threatened, centipedes can lash out when provoked. Rest assured, the common house centipede found in the U.S. is rarely dangerous and even more rarely life threatening.
What Can be Done to Remove House Centipedes?
Sam brings over four years of content writing and media production experience to the Today’s Homeowner content team. He specializes in the pest control, landscaping, and moving categories. Sam aims to answer homeowners’ difficult questions by providing well-researched, accurate, transparent, and entertaining content to Today’s Homeowner readers. Some of the plates covering the body segments fused and became smaller during the evolution to the current state of S. The resulting mismatch between body segments and dorsal plates (tergites) is the cause for this centipede's rigid body.
Although people use the term “bite,” a centipede does not actually use their mouthparts to damage the skin. When a centipede feels threatened, it will pierce the skin of its prey with the pincer-like tips of the legs closest to the head, which are called forcipules. The most effective way to prevent a centipede infestation is to reduce areas of moisture in and around your home.
If a house centipede were to bite a human, the effects would likely be minimal. Their venom is designed to incapacitate insects, not to harm larger creatures like humans. A bite from a house centipede might cause localized pain, swelling, and redness at the site of the bite, similar to a bee sting. However, most people might not even notice any symptoms, as reactions can vary widely depending on an individual's sensitivity to insect venom. House centipedes feed on spiders, bed bugs, termites, cockroaches, silverfish, ants, and other household arthropods.
Other insects can include just about any insects that can get inside your home, whether or not you can see them. Unless the person is experiencing a severe allergic reaction, medical attention is not usually necessary for a centipede bite. Some people may experience an allergic reaction to a centipede bite. Researchers in Thailand described a situation in which a 23-year-old man experienced anaphylactic shock — a severe allergic reaction — after a centipede bit him. Their bites are similar to a bee sting in terms of pain and are not dangerous unless a person is allergic to their venom. House centipedes are often attracted to other pests like spiders, ants, and cockroaches, which they feed on.
However, some centipedes have venom which produces a variety of toxins, including chemicals such as histamine, serotonin, and cardio-depressant toxin-S. Regarding the question of whether or not house centipedes bite, the answer is yes, but with a caveat. Their fangs can deliver a bite similar to a wasp sting, which can be painful but is rarely dangerous. In fact, house centipedes play an essential role in controlling other pests, as they prey on insects and other arachnids. As long as you’re not allergic to their venom, you can coexist with these useful creatures without much trouble. House centipedes can look scary, but they’re not harmful and are not likely to bite humans.
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