With all their little legs, centipedes are pretty much the definition of "creepy-crawlies." But how harmful are they, really? And how do you keep them away from your house? Homeshield Pest Control answers all your questions, including the most important one; is there pest control in Vero Beach that gets rid of centipedes?
What Are Centipedes?
Centipedes belong to a group called arthropods, which means they have exoskeletons and segmented bodies. Even though their name means "hundred feet," centipedes can have between 15 and 177 pairs of legs. They also have long, visible antennae. There are many kinds of centipedes in Vero Beach that vary in size. The largest centipedes can be as long as six inches, but others are much smaller.
One type of centipede commonly found around Vero Beach homes is the Florida blue centipede. These centipedes are about three inches long and bluish-gray. You might also find brown house centipedes. These are only about an inch long but have long legs that can make the overall centipede look bigger.
Are Centipedes Dangerous?
People generally consider centipedes as nuisance pests, which means that they don't cause harm to humans. They do have venom that they use to catch their prey, but centipede venom doesn't affect people much. You can easily avoid centipede bites by leaving them alone because they'll only bite in self-defense. If this happens, you'll probably have some localized pain and swelling but nothing too severe. Also, smaller centipedes aren't even able to break the skin when they bite people.
You may find centipedes around your yard, but your garden isn't at risk. Most centipedes are carnivorous, which means they mostly eat insects and won't go after plants. In fact, they just might get rid of the bugs that are harming your garden.
In general, centipedes are not dangerous to have in your home. They're more likely to run away than bite, and their bites aren't very powerful anyway. However, you still probably do not want centipedes in your house.
How Can I Prevent Centipedes In My House?
Even though centipedes aren't harmful pests, they can be annoying to find around your house. Try these three tips to keep centipedes from moving inside.
- Remove yard debris, stones, and logs from your yard.
- Reduce moisture around your home.
- Seal cracks and holes in the walls.
Centipedes often live underneath stones and piles of yard debris. Removing these things from your yard removes the places where centipedes can hide.
Centipedes thrive in warm, humid spaces. If there are areas of your home where moisture collects, they could be inviting centipedes. It's important to make any necessary repairs to ensure your home is well-ventilated and there are no leaks or collections of water.
Cracks or holes in the walls of your home provide entry points for centipedes, allowing them to come indoors. Sealing over or repairing these openings helps keep centipedes outside where they belong.
If you think you have a centipede infestation in your home, your best option is to contact a professional home pest control company for help.
How Do I Get Rid Of Centipedes In My House?
Homeshield Pest Control is the best way to get rid of centipedes from your home. Our centipede control removes these pests from your home and keeps them from returning. The centipedes in Vero Beach can be annoying to deal with, so we'll take care of them for you. After just one phone call, we'll inspect and treat your home for centipedes, and you can rest easy knowing that our methods are effective and safe. Call Homeshield Pest Control today to learn more about how we eliminate centipedes.