Centipedes

Chilopoda

Pest: Centipedes

Centipedes are small, almost worm like pests that are easily identified by their extremely high amount of legs. Centipedes can have anywhere from 15-201 pairs of legs, but they will always have an uneven number of them. They range from 1/8 of an inch, to six inches, and are generally dark brown or yellowish. Centipedes are primarily carnivorous and obtain most of their moisture needs from their prey, most house centipedes are nocturnal, and prey primarily on flies, spiders and sometimes plant tissue, causing injury. Centipedes do have a poisonous bite, but even still are just considered nuisance pests as they do not pose any real threat to people or property.

Centipedes are found most commonly in areas of high moisture, such as loose bark, rotting logs, under stones, in trash or piles of leaves and grass. When they do invade homes, centipedes are most commonly found in damp basements, crawlspaces, bathrooms or potted plants. An infestation of centipedes is rarely noticed, as the only obvious signs are seeing them, but since they are mostly active at night most people have no idea they have them.