Bye Mice. Bye Ants. Bye Cockroaches.

Centipedes are nocturnal, and they usually shy away from humans, so you may not see them very often, even if you have the pests in your house. It can be disturbing to see a centipede, or an infestation of centipedes, in your home, and you may be eager to get rid of them. Here are some things to know about centipedes as house pests and pest control measures that can keep them outside.

Centipedes Are Nature's Pest Control

Centipedes might be creepy to look at, but they are actually beneficial because they eat other insects. The centipedes in your house eat bugs like roaches, termites, moths, and silverfish. They move fast and are excellent predators. Centipedes don't damage your home, documents, food, or belongings.

Even though they are beneficial, you probably don't want them in your home in large numbers. Centipedes can bite and inject venom. They don't bite unless they're protecting themselves, and a typical house centipede has weak venom that won't harm you unless you happen to be allergic to it. Still, their bites can be painful, so you don't want kids or pets to bother centipedes.

Centipedes Could Be A Sign Of An Insect Problem

If you have centipedes in your house, that could mean you have a lot of other bugs that centipedes are using as a food source. You might want to call a pest control company and have them treat your home to eliminate the insects. Once the bugs are gone, the centipedes won't have a food source, so they should leave.

Centipedes Could Indicate A Moisture Problem

Besides being drawn to insects, centipedes are also drawn to dampness. If centipedes are thriving in your house, there is probably excess moisture somewhere. Dry out your house and the centipedes might leave to look for a better living space. You might need to repair plumbing or use a dehumidifier to get your home dry. As a bonus, you'll also make your home less friendly to other insects, such as silverfish.

Pest Control Measures Can Keep Centipedes Away

Regular pest control treatments can help you avoid a lot of problems with pests in your home. Consider having treatments on the schedule recommended by your pest control company to keep bothersome insects and centipedes at bay. In addition to treatments, the exterminator might offer advice on keeping pests out. This might include sealing gaps around your house so centipedes can't get inside and keeping a border around your house dry and sunny so centipedes and bugs that seek moisture stay far away.