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Hot Legs!

These centipedes are thought to have originated in the Mediterranean region.  They were introduced many years ago to Mexico and the southern U.S., and have since greatly increased their distribution.  Using somewhat flowery language, C. L. Marlatt (an early USDA scientist) described the house centipede in 1902:

“It may often be seen darting across floors with very great speed, occasionally stopping suddenly and remaining absolutely motionless, presently to resume its rapid movements, often darting directly at inmates of the house, particularly women, evidently with a desire to conceal itself beneath their dresses, and thus creating much consternation.”

Hmmmm….so, we’ve come a long way in the science of entomology – but I digress.

These centipedes are about 1 ½ inches long but appear to be much larger, due to the long legs and antennae.  The adult has 15 pairs of legs.  Adult centipedes hide in dark, moist areas during the day, and emerge at night to hunt.  Interestingly, they feed on a number of insects that may indicate more serious pest problems in homes – cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, and carpet beetle larvae, among other things.  So an abundance of house centipedes warrants closer inspection for other pest insects.

Any damp, cool location can serve as prime territory for these creatures.  Under concrete slabs, in and around stored cardboard boxes resting on concrete, in cement block walls, and in floor drains that lack p-traps are a few of the places they have been found.  The first step in controlling them is to identify these likely harborage areas, and treat them or seal them.  Your Black Pest Prevention technician is well-trained to identify these areas and treat the problem with minimal insecticide use.  You, the homeowner, may be asked to take some steps to make your home less amenable to the centipedes.  In the long run, our Integrated Pest Management approach will give you relief from these admittedly creepy critters while practicing good environmental stewardship.