How To Keep Centipedes Away From Your Home And Gardens In Sugarland
Centipedes are one of the scariest pests to look at. Their elongated appearance, large number of legs, and quick movement speed can make them seem quite menacing. Fortunately, they are not nearly as dangerous as they appear. This article will help you learn how to identify and mitigate centipedes on your Sugarland property.
Centipedes are classified as occasional invaders, meaning that they are more likely to enter your home in response to changing weather conditions or a lack of food outside than out of attraction to something specific in your home. For all of your pest problems, Modern Pest Control offers the best pest control in Sugarland. Let’s take at look at how to know a centipede when you see one.
How To Identify A Centipede
First of all, what is a centipede? Centipedes are arthropods that have a flat, elongated appearance, with a body that somewhat resembles that of a worm. Although they are sometimes referred to as “hundred-leggers,” the actual number of legs this pest possesses can vary between 15 and 177 pairs, or 30 to 354 legs in total. Oddly enough, centipedes always have an odd number of pairs of legs. These legs help them move at rapid speeds. They are typically nocturnal, so it’s very unlikely that you’ll see one during the day.
Centipedes vary in color from yellowish to dark brown, and some have darker markings or stripes. They range widely in size, with some as short as an eighth of an inch and some as long as six inches. They have two long antennae at the front of their heads that they often use for navigating and finding prey. Some centipedes have compound eyes, some have simple eyes, and some have no eyes at all. Now that you know how to identify centipedes, let’s answer another important question: are centipedes dangerous?
Centipedes Aren’t As Dangerous As They Look
Fortunately, the answer to the question above is almost always no. While all of the different kinds of centipedes in existence possess some type of venom, they rarely have enough bite force to break human skin.
The only ones that are capable of this tend to be the larger varieties of centipedes. These bites may cause pain and localized swelling, but they are similar to bee stings in severity and aren’t a threat to most people.
Five No-Sweat Tips To Prevent Centipedes Around Your Home
Next, let’s look at how to keep centipedes out of your house. There are a few things you can do to reduce the likelihood that these pests will invade your home. Here are five practical, simple tips:
Make sure to seal any gaps or crevices in the exterior of your home.
Keep basements, attics, and crawlspaces free of moisture.
Store firewood off the ground and away from your home.
Get rid of any piles of leaves, mulch, or grass clippings on your lawn, as these can attract centipedes.
Remove individual centipedes with a vacuum.
These tips should help you reduce the likelihood of an infestation, but they may not always be enough. If you do find yourself with a centipede problem, the best thing to do is call the experts at Modern Pest Control.
Professional Pest Control Is A Great Way To Keep The Centipedes Away
Since 1952, Modern Pest Control has been helping homeowners like you with all their pest issues. We're the pros to know if you need to get rid of centipedes in your Sugarland home.
With highly trained technicians, the most cutting-edge equipment, and over 70 years of experience in the pest control business, you can be confident when choosing our services. Contact Modern Pest Control today for a free inspection!