Centipedes

Common Names: House centipede / Stone centipede

Introduction: Centipedes are sometimes called hundred-leggers because of their many pairs of legs. Even though centipedes are predaceous and therefore beneficial, most customers consider them a nuisance pest. Some species can inflict a painful bite, but it is not lethal. They are widely distributed throughout most of the United States and the world.

Recognition: American centipedes widely range from 1/8 inch to 6 inches in length. They are wormlike and are usually yellowish to dark brown in color, sometimes with darker stripes or markings. Most body segments bear 1 pair of similar legs, except for the 1st pair behind the head, which are modified into claw-like poison jaws, and the last 2 pairs, which are directed backward and maybe elongated or pincer-like. Adult centipedes have from 15 to 177 pairs of legs, with 1 pair per segment. Centipedes have 1 pair of antennae consisting of 14 to 50 segments each, depending on the species. Some centipedes have compound eyes, but most have a cluster of simple eyes (ocelli) on each side of the head, or no eyes. First instar (hatchling) centipedes usually have 4 pairs of legs. Additional segments and pairs of legs are added with additional molts.

Similar Groups:

1. Millipedes (Class Diplopoda) are usually cylindrical or have a slightly flattened body. Most body segments have 2 pairs of short legs, short antennae and are vegetarians and detritivores (feed on decaying vegetation).
2. Pillbugs and sowbugs (Order Isopoda) have 7 pairs of legs and have food preferences similar to millipedes.

Biology: Centipedes typically overwinter outdoors in protected situations and lay their eggs, usually in or on the soil, during the summer. Females of the house centipede Scutigera have been observed to produce 35 eggs aver a period of days. The common house centipede may live for more than a year; other species may live as long as 5 to 6 years. All centipedes have poison jaws with which they inject venom to kill or stun their prey. If handled roughly, some of the larger species can break the skin (of humans), resulting in a bite which causes some pain and swelling, similar to that caused by a bee sting.

Habits: Centipedes are typically found in areas of high moisture such as beneath loose bark, in rotting logs, under stones, under porches, patios and decks, in wood and stone landscaping borders, under piles of leaves, grass clippings and mulch, where their prey is found. They enter homes beneath siding, along thresholds and through utility penetrations and missing mortar joints. Most centipedes are nocturnal or active at night. House centipedes commonly invade structures where they survive on silverfish, earwigs, flies, spiders, and other soft-bodied prey. Centipedes are primarily carnivorous and obtain most of their moisture needs from their prey. Although they may be found anywhere in a house, the usual places are damp basements, bathrooms, damp closets, and potted plants. Occasionally stone centipedes are found in homes and building near the foundation.

Mechanical protection measures: The key to centipede control is to reduce or eliminate moist areas and harborage. For example, accumulations of leaves and grass clippings, logs, stones, rocks, and stacked firewood, should be removed from near the foundation. Indoors, conducive conditions (moisture retention) can be lessened by means of enhanced ventilation by strategic placement and use of fans, power vents and dehumidifiers. Centipede entry may be reduced by exclusion of structural gaps in the foundation and thresholds. Indoors, centipedes are easily removed with a vacuum cleaner.

Wingate professional procedures: A Wingate pest management professional can significantly reduce invasion by centipedes and occurrence of their prey indoors through periodic exterior perimeter treatments with residual insecticides, generously applied to building foundation walls, perimeter flower and ornamental planting beds, unfinished basement sill plates. In severe cases, non-residual aerosol insecticides can be used to treat pipe chases in wall voids and into crawl spaces.