Why Are There Centipedes In My Fort Lauderdale Home?

When dealing with pests in your Fort Lauderdale home, one of your first questions is likely whether or not the pest you’re seeing is dangerous. While some pests that seem harmless are actually harmful, others that look scary aren’t dangerous at all. Centipedes are a pest that looks rather intimidating and disgusting because of their many pairs of legs. However, they aren’t dangerous to humans. They are a nuisance pest because they don’t bite or spread diseases, and they don’t do significant property damage. However, they can be difficult to remove, and their appearance alone makes them unwelcome guests.

If you’re noticing centipedes around your home, it’s likely because of humidity. The preferred environment for centipedes is one that is damp, dark, and undisturbed. While some species prefer to be outdoors, others thrive both inside and outside.

It’s also easy to confuse millipedes with centipedes, so this overview can help you tell these two apart.

• Centipedes have long, worm-like bodies.
• They have around 15-150 pairs of legs.
• They can range in color from yellow to dark brown.
• They have a pincer-like appendage near their mouths.
• Their legs stick out noticeably from the sides of their bodies where millipede legs are harder to see.

Why Do Centipedes Come Inside?

Since centipedes need a moisture-rich environment to thrive, they will get inside your home if you have moisture issues. If your house is particularly humid or has areas that aren’t well-ventilated, these are the perfect conditions for centipedes. Their need for moisture is why they are commonly found in areas like basements, closets, and crawl spaces as they also try to stay out of the way of humans.
 
The other reason why centipedes come inside is in search of food. Centipedes eat other, smaller insects. So, they will get inside in search of their prey. Other small insects that are also attracted to moisture, could be drawing centipedes to your home.

Simple Tips For Preventing Centipedes

While centipedes aren’t going to make you sick or bite you, they still aren’t pleasant to have around. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to help keep them out. The easiest way to help deter centipedes is to address underlying issues, especially moisture concerns, that draw them to your home in the first place.

• Clean up grass and leaf piles on your property as these are places centipedes tend to live.
• Remove any decaying wood from your yard.
• Store firewood at least 30 feet from the outside of your house.
• Repair leaky pipes and faucets.
• Make sure that attics, basements, and crawl spaces are well-ventilated.
• Use dehumidifiers in damp rooms.
• Seek help from pest control professionals.

How To Get Rid Of Centipedes

Just because centipedes aren’t dangerous doesn’t mean that you want them around your home. They are rather strange to look at and can be off-putting, and seeing any pest inside your house can make you feel unsafe. If you’re looking for tips on preventing or removing centipedes, contact the Fort Lauderdale pest control professionals at Native Pest Management. We are an accredited, award-winning pest control company committed to providing you with high-quality, effective residential and commercial pest control services in South Florida. To get started, request a free quote today.