If you ever wondered how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop, you’ll love figuring out the number of legs these aggravating arthropods have! As disappointing as this news may be, centipedes do not have exactly 100 legs. While the prefix of their name does indeed mean ‘hundred,’ most members of this insect species range from 30 to 354 legs in total.
Centipedes are perhaps best identified by their long bodies, thin, arched legs, and 1/8 to6-inch body frames. While there is quite a lot of variation in terms of centipede size and color, the most common one seen in the home is a tiny tan-brown species known as the house centipede. Thankfully, there are no 6-inch-long centipedes to be found for most of us in Raleigh!
Centipedes are both carnivorous and venomous and are perfectly capable of biting humans and pets alike. However, this is rarely the case. Most species of centipede are only interested in their next meal, and rarely attack people unless threatened. People, pets, and property go largely unaffected by these creatures and their malignant presence. This does not keep them from continuing to be a very scary nuisance in your Raleigh home, though.
Why Centipedes Get Into Raleigh Homes
The main factors that attract centipedes into homes are:
- High humidity factors – Standing water from clogged drains and leaking pipes are often some of the most obvious sources
- Piles of leaf, grass, or branch clippings piled near the sides of the home
- Poor ventilation in attics, basements, and crawl spaces
- Firewood stacked on or near the sides of the home
Some of the primary ways to reduce centipede factors on residential properties include the following:
- Sealing any cracks, gaps, rips, or other holes leading from the outside in using waterproof caulking and weatherproofing
- Repair leaking pipes and clogged drains, running dehumidifiers in the meantime
- Immediately remove debris piles from the lawn
- Stack firewood away from the sides of the home
- Properly ventilate the home
Want more personalized tips for your centipede prevention plan? Reach out to the knowledgeable staff members of Innovative Pest Solutions now to get your questions answered by the professionals
Great Innovative Tips, Great Innovative Pest Solutions
Centipedes are a nuisance pest that are unable to cause much physical harm, but still are able to inflict quite a bit of mental anguish instead. Watching these creepy, no-good housemates run across your basement floor (or worse, your shoe) creates a feeling of unease and discomfort in your home. No matter how many preventative measures you put in place, insects such as centipedes may still be able to gain access from entry points or freak incidents. It may not be necessary to bar yourself in the bedroom to wait for the pests to scurry by, but their presence on your Raleigh property should never be endured for longer than necessary.
Contact Innovative Pest Solutions right now for more pest advice and prevention assistance, especially with nuisance species such as centipedes. We understand the creep factor of pests, and make it our mission to restore homes in Raleigh to their pest-free selves with every treatment. Two decades of industry experience has given us the perspective and empathy we need to crush centipede invasions before they get out of hand. After all, it’s in the Innovative Pest Solutions treatment guarantee!
Call the Raleigh office of Innovative Pest Solutions now to begin the residential pest control program that fits your situation.. Customers are welcome to reach out to us via phone, contact form, or satisfaction survey. We’re proud to be keeping centipedes in check, one home visit at a time.
