Seeing centipedes on your Connecticut property can be alarming. These insects move quickly, have way too many legs, and can hide inside and outside your home. Though they look scary and creepy, it is possible to keep centipedes out of your Connecticut home; you just need to know where to start. And to do that, you need to understand a few key facts about these insects and how pest control in Connecticut can help.
The Life Cycle Of Common Centipedes
Centipedes start their lives hatching from eggs that adults usually lay in damp soil outdoors. Once they hatch, the centipedes will gradually grow to their full size, which ranges from 1/8 to 6 inches, depending on the species. These insects feed on other smaller insects and are known to seek out spiders when possible. However, they will also eat plants which can cause damage to your houseplants.
Mostcentipedes in your house can live anywhere from two to six years and typically stay away from humans when possible. You'll unlikely see them very often as they tend to move around at night. As younger centipedes grow, they'll breed and lay eggs to continue producing new offspring.
Centipedes Are More Of A Nuisance Than A Danger
Even though finding centipedes in your basement or bathroom can leave you uncomfortable, they're usually only a nuisance. They're not known to transmit diseases or carry any pathogens that can make you and your loved ones sick. In fact, they're typically skittish and will stay away from humans and pets whenever they can.
That said, centipedes can bite and may if you try to handle them. The bites are painful as these insects will inject venom into your skin if they bite you. The venom can lead to swelling and intense pain, but their bites typically heal on their own.
The best way to avoid centipede bites is to leave them alone. If you don't handle them, they likely won't bite you. Try to avoid their common hiding spots, which include the following:
- Basements
- Crawl spaces
- Bathrooms
- Potted plants
Even if you find their hiding spots, do what you can to avoid touching or prodding them; this will reduce your risk of bites and help you stay safe.
Tips For Preventing Centipedes From Entering Your Home
Luckily, it's possible to prevent centipedes from coming into your home. You just need to know the right steps to take.
Here are a few easy centipede control and prevention tips you can try:
- Fix leaks and excess moisture in your home as soon as possible.
- Pick up yard waste like leaf piles, grass clippings, firewood, and rocks, and move it away from your home.
- Seal cracks and crevices around your house as soon as you find them.
- Use weatherstripping to block entry under exterior doors.
These tips will help to keep centipedes from making a home inside your house.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of A Centipede Infestation
If you have an active centipede infestation, no amount of prevention tips will help make it go away. Instead, you'll need to work with an experienced pest control specialist like Big Blue Bug Solutions. We'll be able to assess the extent of the infestation and identify which types of centipedes you have in your house to help us tailor a treatment to meet your direct needs that will keep your home centipede-free.
If you're worried about centipedes in Connecticut, you don't have to wait for a full infestation to do something about them. Contact Big Blue Bug Solutions today to schedule a consultation and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Connecticut.