Jul 27, 2023 | Pest Control
Summer is a time of warmth, sunshine, and relaxation. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when a variety of pests are most active. From ants and flies to roaches and centipedes, these insects can be a major annoyance and even a health hazard. Discover common summer pests below:
Ants
Ants are a common sight in the summertime, especially in kitchens and pantries where they search for food. To prevent ants from invading your home, make sure to keep your kitchen clean and free of crumbs and spills. Store food in airtight containers and keep ripe fruit in the refrigerator. Sealing cracks and holes in your home’s foundation and walls can also prevent ants from entering.
Flies
Flies are a common summertime pest, buzzing around and spreading germs wherever they land. To prevent flies from invading your home, make sure to keep doors and windows closed or screened, especially during the hottest parts of the day. Keep your kitchen clean and dispose of garbage regularly.
Roaches
Roaches are another unwelcome summertime pest. They can carry diseases and trigger allergies in some people. To prevent roaches from entering your home, seal any cracks or gaps in your home’s foundation and walls. Keep your kitchen clean and free of crumbs, and store food in airtight containers.
Centipedes
Centipedes can appear creepy, with many legs! They are often found in dark, damp areas such as basements and bathrooms. To prevent centipedes from invading your home, keep these areas dry and well-ventilated. Seal any cracks or gaps in your home’s foundation and walls.
If you begin seeing these summer pests around your home, give your local pest control company a call for a free inspection and a customized treatment and prevention plan!
Jul 21, 2023 | Pest Control
Centipedes and millipedes are two common household pests that are often mistaken for each other. How can you tell them apart? How can you tell if they’ve infested your home? Learn the difference between centipedes and millipedes, along with tips to prevent both of them from taking over your home.
Centipedes
Centipedes have elongated, flat, segmented bodies with 1 pair of legs per segment. They can have anywhere from 15 to 177 pairs of legs. They have long antennae on their heads, as well. They can come in a variety of colors but the most common species are either brown or reddish-orange. These pests are attracted to damp, dark areas like basements, bathrooms, and closets.
Centipedes are nocturnal and can move very fast, making them hard to spot by homeowners. In fact, the only real sign of centipedes in your home is spotting live pests.
- Eliminating moisture. Repair leaks and use dehumidifiers to keep moisture levels down.
- Eliminating clutter. Keeping your home free of clutter gets rid of potential hiding places centipedes can use.
- Eliminating openings. Centipedes will get in through cracks, gaps, and holes in the exterior of your home. Sealing these up will help keep them out.
- Vacuuming them up. An easy way to get rid of centipedes you come across is to vacuum them up and dispose of them immediately.
Millipedes
Millipedes have long, cylindrical bodies with 2 rows of legs on their bodies and 1 row of legs on the front of their bodies. They grow to about 1 to 2 inches in length. These pests will curl into a ball when touched or threatened. They prefer dark, damp spaces and are often found under wood piles, under rocks, and under trashcans. When they come indoors, they can often be found in attics, basements, sheds, and crawlspaces. These pests eat damp and decaying wood particles and plants.
Millipedes are also nocturnal so spotting them can be difficult. Signs of millipedes include seeing live pests in your home and signs of structural damage. These pests will eat damp or decaying wood so look out for damage to firewood, cardboard boxes, etc.
- Eliminating water. They are attracted to moisture so repair leaks and get rid of standing water. Use dehumidifiers when necessary.
- Eliminating food sources. Store firewood away from your home. Replace or repair water damaged wood as soon as possible.
- Clean up outdoors. Keep mulch, pine straw, leaves, etc. away from your foundations.
- Seal them out. Caulk any cracks, crevices, gaps, and holes to keep them from coming in.
Although centipedes and millipedes don’t pose a significant threat to humans or homes, they can be a nuisance to have around. Routine pest control can help keep these, and other common household pests, from taking over your home. Contact your local pest control company for an inspection.
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Jun 13, 2023 | Pest Control
Centipedes are one of the most common household pests. Reaching lengths of 1 to 2 inches, these creepy looking critters also have 15 sets of legs. While it can be startling to find one in your home, they aren’t harmful to humans. They don’t carry disease, don’t damage homes, and don’t consume human food. They will, however, bite if they feel threatened, although this is rare.
Centipedes can be very beneficial to have around. In fact, they are considered a form of natural pest control. They feed on other pests, such as roaches, spiders, termites, and ants.
Centipedes come into our homes in search of dark, humid environments in which they thrive. They will also seek access to food sources (like other pests commonly found in your home).
Get rid of centipedes in your home by:
- Controlling other pests. This is the #1 food source of centipedes. Maintain routine pest control both inside and outside your home to help keep them (and other pests) at bay.
- Dehumidifying. Centipedes thrive in moist, humid environments. Use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture levels in your home.
- Using bathroom fans. This is another way of reducing moisture in your home. Utilizing bathroom fans, especially when showering, helps keep things drier.
- Sealing them out. Inspect the exterior of your home and seal any cracks or crevices with caulk, including doors and windows.
- Cleaning up outside. Get rid of any piles of leaves or other debris that could be holding moisture around your home.
If you have a problem with centipedes or any other household pests, contact your local pest control company for an evaluation.
May 5, 2023 | Pest Control
Centipedes are common pests that make their way into homes in search of food. They are yellow to dark brown in color with worm-like bodies and long antennae. They have small mouths that contain venom glands and lots of legs – in fact, they can have anywhere from 15 to 177 pairs of legs. Centipedes regrow legs each time they molt, so the older the centipede, the more legs they have.
Centipedes can be frightening in appearance, especially if you come across one unexpectedly in your home. When this happens, should you kill it? The short answer is – no. While centipedes can bite, they rarely do and aren’t considered to be a threat to humans or pets. They also don’t really do a lot to disturb your home. They don’t make nests or webs, they don’t transmit diseases, and they don’t damage your home or belongings. The best reason for not killing centipedes, though, is that they are a fantastic form of natural pest control for your home. These household pests eat roaches, flies, termites, moths, and silverfish. Instead of killing them, relocate them outside so they can help keep other pest populations under control.
Centipedes can be prevented if the things that attract them are removed. Seal any cracks, holes, and gaps in the foundation, as well as gaps around doors and windows. Repair any leaks and clean up any standing water. Keep piles of wood and leaves away from your home. Purge your house, garage, and basement. Pests can be kept under control with regular pest control services provided by your local pest control company.
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Apr 6, 2023 | Pest Control
Centipedes are arthropods that often make their way into our homes. Because they love moisture, they are often found in kitchens, basements, laundry rooms, and other humid areas of your house. These pests are easily identifiable with long antennae, yellow to dark brown body color, small mouths, worm like bodies, and many legs. While their name suggests they have 100 pairs of legs, they can actually have anywhere from 13 to 177 pairs, depending on their age and species.
Centipedes will come indoors in search of moisture, food, or to escape predators outside. Common predators of centipedes include birds, chickens, toads, snakes, frogs, mice, spiders, beetles, and even badgers.
If you find a centipede in your home, your first instinct may be to immediately get rid of it. But should you kill a centipede in your house? There are several reasons you shouldn’t, including:
- They pose no threat to humans. While they can bite and do have venom glands in their mouths, this is rare and poses no threat to your health.
- They don’t nest indoors.
- They don’t cause damage to your home.
- They are beneficial to keep around as they eat other pests you may have around your home, such as insects, worms, roaches, and mollusks.
Consider relocating centipedes outdoors instead.
Centipedes can be avoided by removing the factors that attract them in the first place. Seal any foundation cracks, holes, and gaps, as well as gaps around doors and windows. Fix any leaks and remove any standing water. Keep wood and leaf heaps away from your house. Clear out your home, garage, and basement. Regular pest control service will keep pests under control. If you have a problem with centipedes or any other household pests, contact your local pest control company for an assessment.
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