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• Centipede

Class Chilopoda

Many species of centipedes are native to North America. Centipedes thrive in a moist, humid environment and can be found in areas of a home such as a damp basement, crawlspace, and bathrooms. Outdoors, they can often be found under rocks, soil, wood, or leaf mulch. While the name implies they have one hundred legs, the actual number in most species is closer to around 30. Each segment of the body has a single pair of legs, with the last pair often much longer then the others and projecting backwards. These long legs enable it to move quickly. They also have a pair of very long antennae.

Adults are typically a brownish or reddish brown color and over 1 inch long. They are long and narrow with a flattened body. Unlike millipedes, centipedes do not coil up when disturbed.

Centipedes are usually night feeders. They feed on flies, cockroaches and other small household pests. During the day they harbor in dark cracks and crevices. Females lay one egg at a time in spring and summer, usually in a shallow layer of moist soil. Maturation usually occurs within 2 to 3 years, some have been known to live up to 6 years. Centipedes are not structurally damaging.

Important preventative measures include:

1. Keep mulch, logs, or any substances that will retain moisture away from the foundation of your home. This will not only eliminate areas for them to harbor, but will also aid in removing their food source (insects).
2. Keep basements and crawlspaces well ventilated.
3. Allow your landscape to dry between watering, and avoid over watering.
4. Seal cracks around doors, window frames and foundations.

If populations remain in excess then a call to Long Pest Control can develop an Integrated Pest Control program to eliminate the sightings and provide an environment free of unwanted ground crawling insects year round.