While there are some pests that are dangerous to us humans, there are others that can be destructive to our property. Moreover, there are some pests that, while not threatening or destructive, we just don’t want to see around our Charlotte, NC homes. These are called nuisance pests, and one such nuisance pest common to the Charlotte area is the centipede. Centipedes are unsightly little pests that tend to live outdoors in moisture-friendly areas such as in leaf piles, woodpiles, and under rocks and other organic debris. However, they have been known to venture into Charlotte homes, which is when they become a nuisance to homeowners. Despite not being dangerous, centipedes are unwelcome pests. You need to know the preventative steps you can take to keep these unsightly pests out of your Charlotte home.
What Do Centipedes Look Like?
Centipedes are small worm-like pests that are typically yellowish or dark brown in color. Additionally, they sometimes have darker stripes or other markings on their segmented bodies. Perhaps the most defining characteristic of centipedes is the many sets of legs that span the length of their body. With a pair of legs per body segment, centipedes can have anywhere from 15 to 177 pairs of legs on their body. However, one fun fact about centipedes is that no matter what, they will have an odd number of pairs of legs. In addition to their many legs, centipedes also have long, hair-covered antennae and large, claw-like mandibles that are connected to venom glands. Centipedes are venomous and will bite.
Are Centipedes Dangerous?
Despite being venomous, centipedes are not considered to be dangerous to humans. Although larger centipedes can and will bite if they are handled, their venom is reserved for hunting other insects and does not pose a threat to our health. Just because centipedes aren’t considered to be dangerous doesn’t mean we want them coming into our homes, however!
Where Will You Find Centipedes?
Centipedes prefer to live in cool, damp locations. While outside, this includes in leaf piles and under other organic matter. You might also find them hiding under rocks or in woodpiles. However, centipedes do find their way inside of homes, especially homes with ventilation issues and moisture-filled areas. Therefore, you may find centipedes in basements, garages, crawlspaces, and other poorly ventilated storage spaces. Furthermore, areas with lots of debris can provide centipedes with plentiful places to hide.
Centipede Prevention Tips
In order to keep centipedes out of your Charlotte home, you need to address any moisture issues in your home and seal off any potential entry points through which centipedes might gain access to the inside. To accomplish these, you need to:
- Use dehumidifiers to address moisture issues throughout your home, especially poorly ventilated areas such as crawlspaces and basements.
- Fix any leaky pipes or fixtures and keep gutters free of debris to prevent flooding.
- Seal any cracks in your home’s foundation and install door sweeps and weatherstripping around exterior doors and windows.
- Pick up any yard debris such as leaf piles, rocks, or other organic matter from your yard.
- Keep woodpiles off the ground and away from your home’s exterior.
For More Centipede Prevention Advice & Assistance
If you have any further questions about centipede prevention, or if you are currently dealing with centipedes in your Charlotte, NC home, contact the professionals here at Go-Forth Home Services right away. Not only will our trained pest technicians effectively eliminate any centipede infestation with which you are dealing, but we will also work with you to take the proper steps to better protect your home from any future infestations. Don’t let this unwanted pest make its home inside of yours. Give us a call today.