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Source: The University of Georgia
All About Centipedes In New Jersey
If the sight of a spider’s many legs intimidates you, then centipedes are undoubtedly even scarier. Many people are afraid of them because of their ominous appearance. The numerous legs and beady eyes of centipedes have the power to make your hair stand up.
Most centipedes have up to 15 pairs of legs and these legs are what give them the incredible ability to move lightning fast throughout your home. Even though most of them do not technically have 100 hundred legs, their name means “100 legs”. So if you can move fast on two, imagine what they can do with so many to help them out. When they are inside your home, the fascination with their anatomy wears off as they’re one of the creepy crawlies you don’t want to see.
The 411 on Centipedes
You may be surprised to learn that centipedes are part of a much larger group of bugs known as Myriapoda. Within this group of numerous-legged bugs, centipedes are arthropods—along with their friends spiders and lobsters (you read that right…LOBSTERS!). More than 8,000 species of centipedes have been found worldwide and most of them measure only a few millimeters.
Scientists found that some centipedes can reach lengths of 12 inches which makes them uncomfortably large for most people. In The Garden State, we don’t usually see them get over six inches. They prefer all sorts of environments, and the species dictates their preferences. For instance, one might enjoy the dry air of the desert, while another one prefers the humidity of the tropics. While we get a fair share of centipedes, the appearance variations are vast.
Common Types of Centipedes in New Jersey
House centipedes are among the most common types you might see lurking inside your house. They grow to about 1.5 inches long and have a yellow-gray striped body.
Eastern red centipedes are reddish-orange and love humidity. You will typically find them outside under rocks and leaf debris. Although their venom does not pose a threat, people may still experience a painful sting if they sense danger.
Stone centipedes display more aggressive behavior than house centipedes, and their length extends to approximately 1 inch. They display a color range of browns and reds and usually possess 15 pairs of legs.
Soil Centipedes display a more worm-like appearance and represent one of the species with leg counts exceeding 100. They reside in the soil and seldom appear indoors
They are often confused with millipedes, which are in the same family. While millipedes cannot sting, centipedes CAN. They have poison glands where they store venom to paralyze their prey. The gland is a small appendage called the forcipule which is a foreleg they use to protect themselves.
When it comes to food, they are bottom dwellers. In this area, our pests control experts mostly see them in basements or cellars. They may also be in a bathroom area where there’s mold present. They love the damp quarters of a musty basement, especially if there are cockroaches, silverfish, ants, and other more minor bugs for them to dine on.
Centipedes In My Home
The presence of centipedes inside your house indicates that they are searching for food. The combination of their fast movement and exceptional climbing skills enables them to enter your home without difficulty. One reason centipedes are drawn to your home is their body structure causes them to lose water quickly. They need to locate dwellings that will support their survival.
Multiple centipedes present in your home suggest an underlying issue. Silverfish inhabit moist areas which attract centipedes because they prey on silverfish as well as other insects. So, all these bugs couldffefe indicate a moisture issue within your home. Basements often serve as magnets for moisture which leads to the presence of them and other pests that search for moist environments.
The harsh winters in New Jersey prevent them from living outdoors which leads to increased sightings inside homes during winter months. Your home provides the shelter centipedes need to survive.
Do Centipedes Pose a Risk?
Unlike the roach or termite, centipedes will not cause structural damage or bring disease into your space. However, they’re not something you want hanging around either. While they do not technically bite, they can sting using their forcipules if provoked or they feel threatened so be cautious when trying to kill them. The larger the centipede, the more painful the sting. The good news is that the larger species usually don’t come inside the home. Even if you should get attacked, the chances of it resulting in serious medical consequences are slim.
Centipede Prevention Is Key
No one wants bugs inside their home. However, it would help if you considered that since centipedes dine on other bugs, your problem could be more severe than you realize. Since most bugs want to find a warm place to take up residence with ample water supply, the basement is the perfect location to set up shop. You can be proactive about keeping them and other pests at bay by keeping this space dry.
A dehumidifier can work wonders and help keep this area unfavorable for centipedes. Additionally, if you have any cracks or gaps in the walls or foundation of your home, they need to be sealed off to prevent pests from entering. Windows are a common entry point for them, especially the older metal basement windows. Make sure these are sealed or replaced if the situation warrants.
The primary issue with having centipedes come inside is that they will breed. Over the winter months they will lay their eggs and reproduce quickly. If you don’t handle the problem swiftly, you could easily become overrun with them. No one wants a multi-generational infestation on their hands, as it becomes more challenging to eradicate.
Getting Professional Help
Centipedes are one of those bugs that require Kapture’s professional assistance to treat. Since your home is so inviting to them, you can find peace of mind in knowing you don’t have to deal with them alone. As an award-winning New Jersey pest control company, we can help you get rid of centipedes and other nuisances.
Kapture Pest Control can also help you indicate possible entry points and other methods to help keep them at bay. The valued advice of a trained technician is unmatched. While people are generally well-versed in ants, roaches, and spiders, few know what to do when they see these centipedes lurking about. Thankfully, our Kapture experts can send them and all their legs packing and help you reclaim your home.
