Millipede and Centipede Control

The Hearts Pest Management Way

Millipede and Centipede Biology

Millipedes and Centipedes are arthropods, which puts them as a very distant relation of spiders and insects. In general, millipedes and centipedes only vaguely resemble each other in that their bodies have many segments and many pairs of legs. Millipedes differ from centipedes in that they have generally cylindrical bodies and two pairs of legs per segment. Centipedes are generally flat and have only one pair of legs per body segment.

They range in color from colorless and pale to the brighter reds and yellows, but most of the type found around the average home are usually black, brown or grey. For the most part, centipedes and millipedes will live, breed and hunt outside. Few species desire to go indoors, but sometimes they may accidentally wander inside. These visitors are typically harmless and can be beneficial in places like the garden.
If centipedes and millipedes are present in abundance or if you’re finding them in sensitive locations within or around the home, your Hearts Consulting Pest Technician can eliminate these illusive pests quickly and efficiently.

Centipede and Millipede Prevention

Moisture is a large contributor to the presence of both centipedes and millipedes. Basements, attics and crawlspaces should all be made as moisture-free as possible, as this will help control millipedes, centipedes and many other pest organisms. Leaf litter and other forms of decaying organic material should be removed from the property. Other things that help are: keeping compost piles as far from the house as possible, remove old boards from the ground, and remove old cardboard boxes from the property. Cardboard boxes usually give several species a harborage, so switching out your cardboard storage boxes for plastic container will help.

Centipedes are predators that hunt insects. Reducing or eliminating the insects that they hunt can also reduce the number of centipedes. However, Millipedes eat organic, decaying material and contribute to the soil production.

Centipede and Millipede Treatment

At Hearts, we understand that many people want to reduce the amount of toxins that they are exposed to, from pesticides and in their environment in general. That’s why we have organic alternatives for treating centipedes and millipedes. Hearts is the first and only pest control company in Southern California to be EcoWise certified.

Each treatment for centipedes or millipedes begins with a thorough inspection of your property. Finding their harborages is the key to reducing the amount of chemical we use. After treatment, we’ll assist you in developing a program that fits your life style, which will continue to control millipedes and centipedes long after your treatment.

Species

Millipedes are an extremely varied genus with scores of species in just our county alone. In general they behave similarly and the control of them is also, generally the same.

Centipedes have the same variety and treatment as millipedes. The most common being the House Centipede. House Centipedes are fairly common and often mistaken for other arthropods. Their many long legs and numerous antenna and “tails” give people the impression that they are walking fuzz balls or dust bunnies. They have three dark stripes going down the length of their back and range in size from about ½ inch to 1 inch in length. House centipedes attack and eat other household insects.

Giant Desert Centipedes are solitary creatures ranging up to 8 inches in length. They can be black to brown to dark yellowish with stripes. Their bite is very painful and sometimes slow to heal. Those allergic to insect stings and bites should stay clear of these centipedes. They hunt for food in the same places as other centipedes, in refuse, plant clippings, organic material, and under rocks and boards outside.