Centipedes

What do centipedes look like?

Centipedes are long, thin, segmented arthropods with flattened bodies and anywhere from 15 to 177 pairs of legs, depending on the species. In Phoenix, two primary centipede species are notable:

House centipedes

• About 1 to 2 inches long
• Tannish-brown coloration
• 15 pairs of legs
• Long antennae for environmental sensing
• Venomous fangs (forcipules) used for prey capture

Giant desert centipedes

• 6 to 8 inches long, sometimes reaching 9 inches
• Distinctive orange body
• Yellowish legs
• Dark-gray head
• More robust and larger than house centipedes

The term “centipede” means one hundred legs. However, despite the name, they rarely have exactly 100 legs.

What do centipedes eat?

Centipedes are carnivorous predators. They hunt insects and other arthropods, such as spiders, cockroaches, and ants. Outdoors, they hunt in soil, mulch, and leaf litter. Indoors, they seek out pests like flies, silverfish, and roaches. In a way, they are beneficial. But, while their diet makes them natural pest controllers, their startling appearance makes them unwelcome in most homes.

Are centipedes harmful?

House centipedes can bite if handled or provoked, but bites are rare and not serious. Larger centipedes, such as the giant desert centipede (common in the Phoenix area), can deliver more painful bites.

• Venom: While house centipedes have venom, it typically causes only mild irritation, swelling, or localized pain in humans. Larger centipedes, like the giant desert centipede, can cause more pain, redness, and swelling. The venom is still not life-threatening, but it may be more uncomfortable.
• Allergic reactions: In rare cases, sensitive individuals may experience stronger reactions to a bite, including nausea or dizziness.
• Pets: Larger centipedes can potentially harm smaller pets, although serious effects are uncommon.

Centipedes are generally more of a nuisance than a serious threat to people or pets in Phoenix area homes, but we advise caution when dealing with larger species.

Do centipedes cause damage to homes or property?

Centipedes do not damage property. They don’t chew wood, fabric, or wiring. Their presence indoors is solely related to hunting other pests. Simply put, they are nuisance pests. 

What attracts centipedes to houses?

Centipedes are drawn to homes that offer moisture, shelter, and food. In Phoenix, the dry climate often drives centipedes indoors for better conditions. Attractants include:

• They find moisture in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and the crawl space underneath some houses.
• They find insects and other pests to hunt in yards and within houses.
• They seek out cool, dark spaces, such as wall and floor voids, storage rooms, closets, boiler rooms, and bathroom voids.

These multi-legged critters can easily enter and exit walls if interior cracks and gaps are not properly sealed with caulking material.

How do centipedes get inside homes?

House centipedes are small and flexible, making squeezing through tiny openings and getting into structures easy. Larger centipedes have more difficulty but are surprisingly adept at finding larger entry points hidden in plain sight. Common entry points include:

• Cracks in the foundation
• Gaps around doors or windows
• Utility line openings
• Vents or drainage pipes
• Cavities created by decaying building materials

They may also hitch rides indoors on potted plants and items brought in from the yard.

Why are centipedes often found in bathrooms?

Bathrooms provide the perfect combination of moisture, warmth, and darkness that centipedes crave. Leaky pipes, damp floors, and condensation from showers create an inviting environment. Bathrooms are also prime areas for insects, such as silverfish and roaches which attract centipedes; this is why you find centipedes lurking on walls and ceilings and hanging out in your drains and around your toilets and sinks.

How can I eliminate centipedes?

If centipedes are already a problem in your home, contact Termio Pest Control for pest control. Our local team can identify entry points, reduce pest populations, and create a barrier to keep centipedes out of your Phoenix home.

What can I do to prevent centipedes from coming into my home?

If centipedes are creeping into your home, reducing moisture, sealing entry points, and limiting food sources will help keep them out. Here are some tips:

Reduce moisture outdoors and indoors:

• Fix outdoor plumbing and sprinklers.
• Fix indoor pipes, faucets, and garbage disposals.
• Install dehumidification to reduce humidity in key areas or throughout the structure.
• Vent bathrooms to reduce moisture and condensation.

Seal exterior entry points:

• Use mortar to fill foundation cracks.
• Use caulking to seal around exterior doors and windows.
• Use expanding foam to fill in gaps and cavities.
• Repair damaged screens.
• Update your weatherstripping and door sweeps.
• Apply wire mesh over vents.

Manage yard and landscaping:

• Reduce organic clutter, such as leaf litter and sticks.
• Reduce man-made clutter, such as junk piles and stored items.
• Keep mulch layers thin.
• Trim vegetation away from your exterior.

Reduce pests outdoors and indoors:

• Reduce crawling insects by addressing natural food sources like nectar and honeydew.
• Reduce spiders by removing webs and crushing egg sacs.
• Reduce moisture pests by watering your plants in the early morning. This allows the sun to dry the moisture and prevents nighttime dampness.
• Keep interior spaces clean.
• Store certain foods in sealed containers to keep smells in and pests out.
• Keep clutter to a minimum.