How to Get Rid of House Centipedes in Lexington, KY

House centipedes, sometimes called “Hundred Leggers,” are actually arthropods not insects. They are predators that hunt smaller insects by injecting venom through their fangs. Centipedes range in size from very small to large with flat, segmented bodies connected to one pair of legs per body segment. Although the nickname suggests that they have 100 pairs of legs, centipedes can actually have anywhere from 15 to 177 pairs of legs. Their heads contain large antennae, a small mouth, and a claw-like structure that contains a venom gland to kill prey.

House centipedes tend to live alone in dark, humid areas in your home, such as your basement, garage, bathroom, or craw space. These nocturnal hunters hide in the dark and venture out at night to find food. Because they live alone, it is difficult to tell if there is an infestation unless they are seen directly. Centipedes are venomous to their prey and humans; however, it is not fatal as long as the person is not allergic to the venom. Many people commonly mistake silverfish for centipedes.

One of the best ways to get rid of centipedes is to remove their preferred nesting areas and to prevent them from entering your home. If those methods fail, resorting to alternative removal methods, including professional pest removal may be necessary.