Centipedes In Knoxville: Identification, Prevention, And Control

centipede on hard floor

Pest Control in Knoxville is what we do best. With our climate, we share our homes with some annoying pests throughout the year.

We have the knowledge and training to help you identify and eradicate an infestation of centipedes. If you think you might be dealing with a centipede infestation, this guide can help you get started on identifying them, as well as what steps to take to get a head start on reclaiming your home.

What's The Difference Between Centipedes And Millipedes?

It’s all in a name! The centipede vs millipede confusion has raged on for quite some time, but telling the two insects apart is actually rather simple.

Millipedes have their legs under their body, while centipedes have their legs on the side of their body. Centipedes are aggressive toward other insects and eat them, while millipedes prefer plant matter for supper.

Are Centipedes Dangerous?

If you find a centipede in your house, there’s no reason to panic right away. These critters are definitely ranked among a homeowner’s most pressing annoyances, but not because they’re outright violent or aggressive toward humans. Some pests will attack people, but centipedes are usually going to show more interest in moist, dark areas than anything else. They can and will bite if you interact with them too closely, though. These bites can be irritating or painful, too.

Centipedes do use venom to kill their prey, but this rarely will be enough to kill or outright incapacitate a human. There’s no point in risking it, though. If you’re dealing with centipedes on your property, get started with us today to serve them their eviction notice.

Five No-Sweat Tips To Prevent Centipedes In Your Home

We’ve put together five fast tips for preventing centipedes from entering your home. This will help you to understand what causes centipedes in the house to begin with, as well as how to keep them from coming in in the first place.

  • Repair any water leaks. Centipedes love moisture, so even a small, yet consistent leak will provide an environment for them to survive in.
  • Run exhaust fans in bathrooms and other rooms where you have one. This will help take excess moisture out of the room.
  • Invest in some dehumidifiers, particularly if you have open basement areas in your home. If you have centipedes in your basement, now you know why!
  • Keep food sealed and secured. Centipedes want shelter and food just like us, so this will go a long way in preventing them from showing an interest in your property in the first place.
  • Seal up cracks and holes in the home. Where do centipedes come from? Centipedes are tiny and nimble and can make their way inside your home through even the smallest of cracks.

Centipedes are quite a nuisance, but you can do a lot for yourself by way of mitigating the factors that attract them. Moisture is probably your number one enemy when considering centipede prevention.

The Most Effective Way To Get Rid Of Centipedes In Your House

Some of our clients try to wait out infestations, hoping that the pests will simply die off. People have asked us, “how long do centipedes live?” with the hopes that they could simply outwait their infestation.

Unfortunately, even common house centipedes have tremendous lifespans for an insect, living up to a year or slightly more. Larger centipedes can live as long as 6 years! Factor in their reproductive capabilities, and there’s no waiting out this storm.

Pest Ops is your go-to solution for making sure you can rest easy well before that – without centipedes hanging around the laundry room! Reach out today to get rid of centipedes.