House Centipedes
Chilopoda
General Information
The word centipede technically means “100 legs,” but most species actually have around 30 legs.1 While house centipedes can be beneficial because they’re stealth predators that eat other insects, seeing them in your home can be quite frightening. Learn more about these fast, darting creatures and find out how to help prevent centipedes from creeping into your home.
- House centipedes are most active at night.
- House centipedes eat other small insects, including silverfish, spiders, cockroaches, and firebrats.2
Size
Color
Bite or Sting
Wings
Commonly mistaken for
Additional details
- Outdoors, house centipedes usually live in damp, dark places, such as under stones, flowerpots, boards, or similar debris where there is abundant moisture.
- Indoors, house centipedes often live in basements, closets, and bathrooms where there is usually high humidity.
- House centipedes are looking for food to eat, which includes other small insects.
- If you see centipedes in the house frequently, this may indicate that the insects they eat are in abundance somewhere in your home.2
- House centipedes are technically beneficial since they are predators and eat other insects. However, their appearance and presence in the home can be frightening to most people.
- If provoked, larger house centipedes may bite, causing localized pain and some slight swelling. Centipede bites are usually not serious, but you should get medical attention if a bite punctures the skin.
- Keep compost piles and decaying vegetation away from the house.
- Caulk windows and holes to help prevent centipedes from coming inside.
- If you notice house centipedes or millipedes in your basement, try running a dehumidifier to make the area less humid, and therefore less appealing.
Solutions for Centipedes
Raid® MAX Cockroach Specialist Killer kills crawling insects on contact and is designed for targeted application in areas where insects are present in and around the home. Can be applied directly to insects or onto surfaces where crawling insects are present, including cracks, crevices, and entry points.
Highlights
- Kills cockroaches instantly on contact
- Maximum protection for heavy infestations
- Kills cockroaches and the eggs they carry for up to 4 months*.
- Flushes out hidden cockroaches.
*on glass surfaces
Raid® Extra Multi Insect Killer Lavender kills flying and crawling insects fast. Its low odour formulation with lavender scent makes it suitable for use in and around the home while providing effective insect control. A dual-purpose aerosol designed for use across multiple environments, including indoor areas and outdoor spaces such as patios, gardens, and picnic areas.
Highlights
- Fast killing action, even with one direct spray
- Kills flying and crawling insects
- Low odour formula with lavender scent
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Raid® Multi Insect Killer Eucalyptus kills flying and crawling insects fast. Its low odour formulation with eucalyptus scent makes it suitable for use in and around the home while delivering effective insect control. A dual-purpose aerosol designed to control a wide range of insects across different environments, including indoor areas and outdoor spaces such as patios, gardens, and picnic areas.
Highlights
- Fast killing action, effective with one direct spray
- Kills flying and crawling insects
- Low odour formulation with eucalyptus scent
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
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