Centipede Treatment
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Few pests startle Arizona homeowners like centipedes. They're fast. They're creepy. And the desert species can grow over six inches long.
Our technicians handle centipede calls across the Phoenix metro area, from Scottsdale to Glendale. We know where centipedes hide, what attracts them, and how to keep them out of your home. These predators follow their prey. If you're seeing centipedes, you probably have other pest activity too.
The good news? Centipede control works. With the right treatment approach, we can reduce centipede activity and address the underlying pest problems that attract them.
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Centipede Species in Arizona
Arizona has several centipede species. Two show up in homes most often.
Giant desert centipedes are the ones that make headlines. These are among the largest centipedes in North America. Adults reach 6 to 8 inches long. They're usually tan or reddish-brown with dark bands on each segment. Giant desert centipedes live outdoors in rocky areas, under debris, and in block wall cracks. They wander indoors looking for prey or escaping extreme heat.
House centipedes look completely different. They're smaller (1 to 2 inches) with extremely long, delicate legs that make them look larger. House centipedes are grayish-yellow with dark stripes. Unlike desert centipedes, house centipedes actually prefer living indoors. They hunt other household pests like spiders, cockroaches, and silverfish.
Both species are venomous and can bite. Giant desert centipede bites are painful and may cause swelling, but serious reactions are rare. House centipede bites are uncommon and much milder.
Why Centipedes Enter Arizona Homes
Centipedes are predators. They go where the food is. If centipedes keep showing up in your home, other pests brought them there.
Following prey insects. Centipedes eat spiders, cockroaches, crickets, silverfish, and other small invertebrates. A home with pest activity is a buffet for centipedes. Treating your spider problem often reduces centipedes too, since they hunt similar prey.
Seeking moisture. Centipedes need humid environments. They dry out quickly in Arizona's desert air. Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements attract them. Leaky pipes and poor drainage create perfect centipede habitat.
Escaping extreme temperatures. Desert centipedes avoid the hottest parts of summer days. They may wander indoors seeking cooler, darker spaces. Garages and ground-floor rooms are common entry points.
Hiding in clutter. Centipedes hide during the day and hunt at night. Storage boxes, piles of clothing, and cluttered closets give them perfect daytime shelter.
Signs of Centipede Activity
Centipedes are nocturnal and secretive. You might have more than you realize.
Seeing live centipedes. The most obvious sign. If you're spotting centipedes regularly, especially during the day, the population is significant. Occasional sightings at night are more normal.
Finding them in damp areas. Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and garages are centipede hot spots. Check under sinks, around drains, and near water heaters.
Centipedes in shoes or clothing. Like scorpions, centipedes hide in dark, enclosed spaces. Shake out shoes and clothing left on the floor, especially in garages and closets.
Other pest activity. Lots of crickets, spiders, or cockroaches? Centipedes may not be far behind. They're attracted to the same conditions and actively hunt these pests.
Are Centipede Bites Dangerous?
Centipedes are venomous, but bites are rarely serious. According to Healthline, most centipede bites cause pain similar to a bee sting and heal within a few days without medical treatment.
Giant desert centipede bites hurt. The pain is often compared to a bee sting or wasp sting. Swelling, redness, and tenderness around the bite are common. Some people experience headaches or mild nausea. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
House centipede bites are uncommon. Their jaws are small and often can't penetrate human skin. When they do bite, it's usually mild irritation similar to a mosquito bite.
When to seek medical help. If you experience difficulty breathing, severe swelling, or allergic reaction symptoms after a centipede bite, get medical attention. Otherwise, clean the wound, apply ice, and take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.
Most centipede encounters don't result in bites. Centipedes prefer to run and hide rather than attack. Bites usually happen when people accidentally step on them or put on shoes where centipedes are hiding.
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HOW WE WORK
1
Exterior Treatment
Our technicians treat foundation perimeters, block wall cracks, and harborage areas where centipedes hide. We target entry points around doors, windows, and utility penetrations. Granular products in landscape beds reduce centipede populations before they reach your home.
2
Interior Treatment
We treat baseboards, cracks, and crevices in areas where centipedes are active. Focus areas include bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and any rooms with moisture issues. Products are applied where centipedes travel and hide.
3
Prey Reduction
Centipedes follow their food. Reducing crickets, cockroaches, spiders, and other prey insects makes your home less attractive to centipedes. Our regular pest control service addresses this ongoing to break the cycle.
4
Moisture Recommendations
Our technicians identify moisture problems that attract centipedes. Fixing leaks, improving drainage, and using dehumidifiers in problem areas makes long-term control easier. Most customers see significant reduction within 2 to 4 weeks.
Preventing Centipede Problems
Professional treatment handles existing centipedes. These steps help keep new ones away:
Fix moisture problems. Repair leaky pipes, dripping faucets, and AC condensation lines. Make sure irrigation doesn't spray against your foundation. Centipedes can't survive without moisture.
Reduce clutter. Boxes, piles of clothing, and stored items provide hiding spots. Keep storage organized and off the floor. This is especially important in garages and closets.
Seal entry points. Caulk cracks around doors, windows, and utility lines. Install door sweeps on exterior doors. The same entry points that let centipedes in also let their prey in.
Clear debris from your yard. Rock piles, wood stacks, and leaf litter near your foundation create centipede habitat. Keep landscaping materials away from the house.
Shake out shoes and clothing. Before putting on shoes stored in the garage or closet floor, give them a shake. This simple habit prevents most centipede encounters.
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You should notice fewer centipedes within 1 to 2 weeks after treatment. Full control typically takes 2 to 4 weeks as products continue working and prey populations decrease. Regular quarterly service maintains protection year-round.
Giant desert centipedes can bite pets, causing pain and swelling similar to what humans experience. Most pets recover without veterinary care, though you should monitor for allergic reactions. House centipedes pose minimal risk to pets.
Centipedes need moisture to survive. Bathrooms provide humidity, water sources, and often have other pests like silverfish that centipedes hunt. Fixing leaks, using exhaust fans, and treating for prey insects will reduce bathroom centipede activity.
House centipedes actually eat other pests like cockroaches and spiders. Some people leave them alone as natural pest control. If you prefer not to share your home with them, our treatment eliminates house centipedes along with the pests they hunt.
Centipedes have one pair of legs per body segment and move fast. Millipedes have two pairs of legs per segment and move slowly. Centipedes are predators with venomous bites. Millipedes are scavengers and don't bite. Both are controlled with similar treatment approaches.