Centipedes and millipedes are pests that are well known for their large amount of legs and how undesirable they are when they live in your home. While neither centipedes nor millipedes cause damage or carry disease, it does not mean you want them in your Modesto, CA home. However, when it comes to figuring out how to get rid of centipedes in my house, you may be left perplexed. While a smart move is to , learning more about these creepy-crawlers and what attracts them in the first place can help you keep them outside – where they belong.

What’s the difference between centipedes and millipedes?

Before diving into the specifics of centipede and millipede prevention, it’s time to learn what they look like.

Centipedes are 2-3 inches long and brownish yellow in color. Their body consists of segments, and each segment has a pair of legs. They are very fast and can be seen darting around the floor and even scaling walls. Centipedes are very common household pests that eat smaller insects throughout your home. You will typically find centipedes in moist, dark areas, such as under rocks and sticks and in areas in the house that are more likely to be humid, such as the bathroom.

Millipedes are approximately one to one and a half inches long and have two pairs of legs on each of their body segments. They are black or brown and eat organic materials and plants. Similar to centipedes, millipedes live in areas that more easily retain moisture. This can include mulch, soil, and amongst decaying organic matter around your property. They may venture indoors if humid conditions exist in your crawlspace or screened in porch.

How can I prevent centipedes and millipedes from getting into my home?

If you want to get rid of centipedes and millipedes, one of the first things you have to do is make some adjustments in and around your home. Since both live in humid areas, you may be dealing with a moisture issue.

Make sure to remove all organic materials near your home, like wood chips, ground cover, and mulch. Keep all firewood and woodpiles away from your home. Centipedes and millipedes like to hide amongst these areas that are less likely to be disturbed. Make sure your doors and windows are sealed. Some other steps you can take to prevent millipedes and centipedes from getting into your home include:

Keep your gutters clean
Move mulch away from the exterior of your home
Avoid over-watering your lawn
Repair leaks around your home

Full-home pest control solutions will tackle common household pest issues. If you have regular preventative pest control performed at your home, you’ll be cutting off the insect food supply for centipedes.

How can AAI Pest Control get rid of centipedes and millipedes in my home?

While centipedes and millipedes do not pose any serious threat to people or pets, they can be annoying when they unexpectedly dart across the floor in front of you. If you want to learn how to get rid of centipedes or millipedes in your house, turning to the professionals at AAI Pest Control is the best thing you can do.

We can find the underlying issue, determine how they are getting into your home, and take the right steps to ensure they are kept out. If you need information or want to schedule a service, contact our team at AAI Pest Control. We will help keep these many-legged bugs out of your house for good and help with any other pest issue you may be dealing with. Call us or fill out the contact form on this page to get started!