Because centipedes eat so many other kinds of insects, you may appreciate seeing them outside your Joliet home. However, when these pests are inside your home, you may need centipede control. After all, the presence of these predatory insects may indicate that you have other types of insects in your home that are drawing the centipedes in as they look for food.
Some people dislike the sight of centipedes in the home, as they may feel these pests indicate a dirty environment. Attempting to remove these pests often requires the work of a Joliet pest control company that has familiarity with these kinds of pests.
The Life Cycle Of Common Centipedes
Adult centipedes in Joliet lay eggs in the spring and summer months, usually in damp soil. After hatching, centipedes can take two or three years to reach full maturity, where they measure about one inch in length on average. However, some of these pests can reach up to six inches in length.
They typically have about 30 legs when they reach adulthood, with one pair of legs on each segment of the body, but they can have anywhere from 15 to 177 pairs of legs, depending on the size of the insect. A centipede usually lives about six years.
When outdoors, these pests are useful. Seeing centipedes in plants around your home means they are controlling less desirable insects. Seeing them inside your home means you may have insects inside the home that you don’t want, though. If you have houseplants, you may even see centipede eggs in your home, leading to greater levels of infestation.
Centipedes Aren't As Dangerous As They Look
Although many people consider centipedes creepy-looking, they really don’t pose much of a danger to humans. Centipedes can bite people, but it rarely happens. If they do bite, they can deliver a little bit of venom to the bitten person. However, you may barely notice the bite, other than a little swelling and itchiness. Centipedes rarely bite pets, either. If they do, the pet should not experience major issues from the bite.
Unlike some other insects, centipedes do not cause damage to property, either. They’re simply a nuisance insect that indicates the potential presence of other types of insects that you may not want to have.
Four Eco-Friendly Centipede Prevention Tips For Your Home
If you are seeing centipedes on your Joliet property and inside your home, you may wonder how they got there. You expect to see them outdoors, as these typically are outdoor insects, but you generally don’t expect to find them indoors.
To attempt to keep these pests outside your home, try these eco-friendly tips:
- Caulk gaps around windows and doors.
- Seal gaps around pipes and cables where they enter the home.
- Remove dampness and excess moisture around your home.
- Make a barrier between plants and gardens and the foundation of your home.
When the weather outside is dry and hot, centipedes may look for a way to move inside your home. They’re hoping to find cool, damp spaces, which can often be found in your basement or inside a cabinet underneath a leaky sink.
The Effective Way To Get Rid Of A Centipede Infestation
Centipedes are a nuisance pest that you can’t really control with a house centipede spray you may pick up at your local store. Instead, to truly have the best chance at controlling centipedes in your basement and elsewhere throughout your Joliet home, call Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators Inc. for help.
Our team has extensive experience helping homeowners with centipede problems. We can provide an inspection and then develop a plan to give you the best level of service for controlling these pests. Reach out to ask for a free inspection today.