Centipedes are common arthropods with long, flattened, segmented bodies with one pair of legs per segment. Their body is brown to greyish-yellow with dark stripes on top. The average centipede is 1-2 inches in length and has 15 pairs of very long legs, however, there are some species that can grow considerably longer. Their antennae are very long as are the last pair of legs which are used to hold their prey. A centipede’s first segment has claw-like appendages that act as poisonous jaws.
Habits & Behaviour
Centipedes are common pests found throughout Ontario. They typically prefer to live outdoors in damp dark places but will invade residential, recreational/cottage and business properties and can usually be found in drains, basements, laundry rooms, bathrooms or kitchen areas that are excessively damp. They have also been known to venture indoors in the fall for the colder months. During the day, they hide in dark cracks and crevices and come out at night to search for insects to eat. A centipede infestation may be a good indication of a serious moisture problem or a secondary insect pest infestation.
Why They Are Viewed As A Pest
Although centipedes are generally harmless and pose no real threat to the structure of your property, possessions or foods, they are an extremely unpleasant, scary looking nuisance. Some centipedes can bite and this bite may result in swelling and pain equivalent to a mild bee sting. They can move quickly and will hide in cracks, crevices and behind baseboards and therefore, infestations are difficult to exclude.
Treatment & Prevention
To eliminate and reduce the risk of Centipedes invading your residential, recreational/cottage or commercial properties, treatment and exclusion is the best prevention.
Solace Pest Solutions can provide you with many treatment, exclusion and prevention solutions.
