There are many pests you might encounter in your Davenport home, and some of them you may be more familiar with than others. While most people know that pests like mice and bed bugs need to be removed right away, there are other pests you might not be as familiar with. As the weather continues to warm up, more and more insects will be found in and around your property. Some of these insects are mostly just a nuisance pest while others can be more of a problem.
Centipedes are a pest that can be rather gross and creepy to look at because they have so many legs and look like long, crawling worms. They are often found in places like basements or bathrooms. Centipedes are one of those insects you might see in your home and wonder whether or not they are dangerous.
While centipedes aren’t pretty to have in your home, they are mostly a harmless, nuisance pest. Centipedes, often confused with millipedes, have the following characteristics.
They have long bodies and often look like a worm.
Their antennae are long.
They have between 15 and 150 pairs of legs.
They range in color from yellow to dark brown.
They have a claw-like appendage that comes out of their mouths.
Are Centipedes Dangerous To Humans?
For other insects, centipedes can be rather dangerous. They are a carnivorous insect that is also venomous. But, they aren’t considered harmful or dangerous to humans. They also don’t harm pets.
While centipede venom is used to kill other insects, it is unlikely to harm you or your family. Centipedes have some ability to bite and sting, but they rarely ever bite humans. Even if you were to be bitten, most people don't experience more than a mild allergic reaction.
Centipedes also do not pose any real risks to property, so they are simply considered a nuisance pest.
Ways To Prevent Centipedes
While centipedes might not cause any harm, it doesn’t make them welcome in your home. They can be unpleasant to deal with. Luckily, there are some things you can do to help prevent them.
Like many pests, centipedes are drawn to moist environments. They are usually found hiding outside under rotting logs or piles of leaves. When indoors they look for dark, damp areas like crawl spaces and bathrooms. Here are some centipede prevention tips:
Clean up grass and leaf piles on your property.
Get rid of things like decaying wood.
Store firewood away from the exterior of your home.
Repair leaky pipes and faucets.
Ensure that attics and crawl spaces are well-ventilated.
Dealing With Centipede Infestations
While centipedes aren’t a dangerous pest, they still aren’t something that you want to have in your home. They can make your home feel dirty or uncomfortable, and they are best left outside of your Davenport property. If you are looking for advice on how to prevent or get rid of centipedes, the experts at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators are here to help. Give us a call as we can assist in dealing with centipedes.