HOW TO TREAT FOR CENTIPEDES IN THE HOME & YARD | BUGSPRAY




CENTIPEDE OVERVIEW

Centipedes can become a perimeter pest to any structure. If given the chance, their numbers can reach high enough levels around the home which will lead to seasonal migrations inside living areas. This article will provide detailed information about this insect, why they can be a problem and how to treat local problems in and around the home.

 

Related articles:         EARWIGS        MILLIPEDES        PILL BUGS        SCORPIONS

 

Centipedes like to live in the same environment as millipedes, sowbugs, pillbugs and scoprions. There are two common species of centipede in the United States. The common house centipede which has long antennae and 15 pair of long legs.

 

The other species is more “snake like” and commonly mistaken for a millipede. They gyrate when they crawl which seem to bother most people. Both species are aggressive hunters and will bite if handled. And though they’re bite is not lethal, it can hurt and cause adverse reactions. For this reason one should avoid handling centipedes.

 

And this video gives you a good idea of how they move.

Both species can move rapidly and will commonly stop and go for long periods of time when on the prowl. The second species of centipede is both larger and longer. More common in the south, this centipede can grow to over 5 inches long.

Since centipedes tend to forage in “nasty” locations, they can carry a wide range of germs and bacteria. They bite is well documented but its more likely the amount of disease they spread has more of a direct impact on people.




CENTIPEDE TRAPS

Like millipedes, centipedes are slow to develop. They like moist areas to nest and roost. These areas include mulch, pine straw, thatch, leaves and under rocks or logs. The big difference between centipedes and millipedes is that centipedes like to eat other insects. For this reason, CENTIPEDE TRAPS can be helpful. Please these where you either see or suspect centipedes may be active.

Traps should be spaced 10-15 feet apart and set along baseboards or routes of entry like on either side of a garage or patio door. These traps use a range of insects for bait which will attract hungry centipedes. Once they enter, they’ll get stuck on the tacky glue inside and caught.

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Centipedes are one of the few predators which feed on spiders. They prefer to move at night, but like millipedes will migrate any time of day during certain conditions. Its not uncommon to have them migrate when water levels rise. This commonly happens during the winter and spring rains.

Centipede nests may host several hundred and when they migrate, all will move in the same direction. This will lead to infestations in the home if allowed to live comfortably outside..




HOW TO PREVENT CENTIPEDES GETTING INSIDE THE HOME

Controlling centipedes can involve a series of steps. The first is identifying nest sights. This will allow you to minimize the conditions these pests require to nest which will lead to less wanting to be inside your home.

Look to see where they will invade. In most cases, you will find them along one side or wall of your home. Inspect nearby mulch, compost piles, wood piles, large rocks, pine straw, sheds, cracks in cement walkways or driveways and stoops. Any of these locations can breed, feed and shelter these pests.

Once you know where they might be nesting, you will be able to treat these areas precisely and remove excessive organic matter available for them. Clean up leaves. Replace old straw that is decomposed. Move log piles away from the home. Seal cracks in cement which allow water to gather. Rake thatch buildup from your lawn.

By reducing these conditions, you take away the food and harborage these pests need for survival. Lastly, if you have a lot of access points through the siding of the home, you should consider a “seal” job. Most homes that get invaded have lots and lots of small cracks, crevices and gaps through which centipedes enter.

 

HOW TO SEAL YOUR HOME TO PREVENT CENTIPEDE INVASIONS

When identified, all entry points should be reduced and/or eliminated with the use of a good FOAM SEALENT. These small self charged cans are easy to use and come with an application hose making them well suited for small jobs. It will create a bead 3/8″ over 1000 feet long.

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been sealed, you start treating the problem.

BEST CENTIPEDE SPRAY FOR THE HOME

To start, you’ll want to treat the ground around your homes foundation immediately adjacent to the foundation. This will both kill any present and keep them from using the area. Do this first before treating the yard around the home. This way you’ll have a barrier in place so none will migrate from the lawn into the home.

The best spray for long lasting fast results is MAXXTHOR EC. This actives work well because the liquid is irritating to centipedes and penetrates all cracks and crevices where they like to nest.

Maxxthor should be mixed 1 oz to a gallon of water and for the average home, 1-2 gallons should be applied onto the homes siding and foundation.

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To put out the protective barrier, you’ll need to focus the spray on a band 3-6 feet wide. Basically covering a 2 foot area of ground and a 3-4 area up the side of the home. This way you have in place a protective barrier that will both repel centipedes and kill them if they choose to cross the treatment.

In general, one thorough treatment will kill off the ones living there. Plan on treating quarterly (every 3 months) to ensure they don’t come back.

For most treatments, a good PUMP SPRAYER will be needed. Make sure it can produce a wide “swath” to insure proper coverage. Pin stream sprays are not recommended.

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Next treat the the turf with MAXXTHOR GRANULES. Plan on treating a 10 foot wide section of ground adjacent to the foundation. So if the side of your home is 50 feet and you treat the whole side, 10 feet out, you will be covering 500 sq/ft. This will require .5 to 1 lb of the granules and like the spray, you should apply them every 3 months.

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CENTIPEDE SPRAY FOR INSIDE THE HOME

If you have centipedes in the home, treat baseboards, around doors and under cabinets with FS MP AEROSOL. This spray is fast acting, comes with a crack and crevice injecting straw for reaching their nests and once in place, will keep them out. FS MP is highly repellent so they won’t want to come in through the cracks you treat. Plan on using 1/2 can every time you treat and spot treat as needed. If you notice activity just 1 week after you sprayed, it means you didn’t get their nests so treat again.

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CENTIPEDES IN THE SINK

Since centipedes like organic matter, they commonly nest in drain lines. This will allow them direct access to homes through sinks, showers and tubs. Treat down all drain lines with ECO VIA AEROSOL. Labeled for use down this sensitive area, ECO VIA will both kill and repel centipedes too. It only takes 3-5 seconds of spray per drain. Do this once a week for 3 treatments and then as needed if they come back.

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CENTIPEDES IN WALL SPACE

Centipedes are notorious for nesting in dark secluded areas like wall voids behind sinks and cabinets. Treating these areas with liquids or aerosol is not suggested as the treatment will not last long.

But what works well and lasts long is DELTAMETHRIN DUST. This product is like baby powder. It’s highly active on centipedes and will last a year or more making it perfect for treating behind finished walls, under cabinets and in crawl spaces.

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Use a HAND DUSTER when making the application and be sure to get in between all the studs and insulation where centipedes like to nest along walls where activity is continuous. Remove electric outlet covers and light switch covers and dust inside the electric boxes. Deltamethrin Dust won’t hurt the contacts but once applied, will keep centipedes out which not surprisingly like to target these locations.

 

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