What is a Centipede

The scientific name of a centipede is CHILOPODA. It is believed to have gotten its name due to its long, pairs of legs and scuttling, insect-like movements. Centipedes are found all over the world, but they seem to thrive in regions with warm, humid climates and lots of damp, decaying vegetation. This may be because these types of damp conditions provide the perfect environment for their prey - small insects, earthworms, and other soft-bodied creatures.

Additionally, centipedes are attracted to these regions due to their dark hiding places and abundant food sources. Despite their reputations as frightening, dangerous pests, centipedes are actually relatively harmless to humans as they do not bite. Nevertheless, they can be quite a creepy sight - especially for those who know just how many legs they have.

Centipedes' primary food sources include small insects, such as flies and spiders, along with various organic debris and plant materials and even decaying animal flesh. While they can tackle larger prey like small mice, large centipedes usually rely on their number of legs to overpower their victims rather than their strength.

Therefore, while it may seem scary to have a large centipede in your home or yard, these multi-legged creatures usually pose very little threat to humans or household pets. Nevertheless, it is always best to be cautious when dealing with any type of insect or arthropod, so if you spot a creepy centipede in a hiding place, it is best to take steps to eliminate it as soon as possible. After all, the more dangerous the predator looks, the more terrifying its prey would seem!

What do Centipedes eat

See our services

The Life Cycle of a Centipede

The life cycle of a centipede is an incredible example of nature at work. Centipedes begin their lives as eggs hatched from the female centipede's body.

Once the eggs have hatched, the young centipedes move on to a larval stage, during which time they undergo several developmental changes.

Over a few months, the larval centipedes grow and develop their adult bodies and legs before entering adulthood.

In adulthood, these fascinating animals continue to grow and mature as they feed on insects, small vertebrates, and other sources of food. Ultimately, the average centipede can live up to 7 years in its natural environment.

Call us now to get rid of centipedes!

Description of a Centipede

What it looks like

Sensors

The most common species of centipede is a house centipede (allothereua maculate). The centipede is an elongated, multi-legged arthropod that is characterized by its many body segments and elongated body. The first pair of segments, closest to the head, is known as the cephalothorax and contains the animal's central nervous system and pair of powerful claws. Moving further down the body is a series of segmented long legs, each equipped with its own set of tiny claws for gripping and walking. Depending on the species, a centipede can have anywhere from 30 to 200 legs or more, though most commonly it has around 50-100 legs. The body of a centipede can be various shades of brown or black in colouration, though some species possess bright colours like red or yellow. Though they may appear to be quite large and formidable creatures, most centipedes typically range in size from an inch to about 10cm long and pose little threat to humans.

Get free quote

Centipedes have some specialized sensors that help them to navigate their environment and avoid potential predators. The most prominent of these are the antennae, which detect chemicals in the air and on the ground. This allows a centipede to sense when it is near prey or other sources of food, allowing it to quickly and efficiently capture its next meal. Additionally, centipedes have an array of sensitive hairs along their body that help them to feel vibrations in the ground, alerting them to potential threats nearby. Finally, specialized organs within a centipede's feet allow it to sense changes in temperature or pressure, allowing the insect to quickly move away from anything that might cause it harm. Thus, these amazing sensory mechanisms make it possible for centipedes to thrive in their damp areas.

Get free quote

The Behaviours of a Centipede

Centipedes are one of the most fascinating and unique creatures found in Australia. With their many legs and quick-moving nature, they are a unique sight to see in the wild. While a lot is known about their general behaviours, there are still many things we have yet to discover about these amazing animals.

One of the most outstanding features of centipedes is their ability to adapt quickly to changes in their environment. For instance, in Sydney, Australia, where temperatures can vary wildly from day to night and season to season, centipedes have developed several intriguing strategies for surviving these extreme temperature fluctuations. Some enter into long periods of hibernation during cold weather, while others bury themselves under layers of foliage and soil in order to keep warm.

Additionally, centipedes use advanced sensory mechanisms to detect fluctuations in temperature levels or when an individual may be invading their territory. This allows them to rapidly respond if they feel threatened or sense danger nearby.

At the top of their list of behaviours is hunting for prey. Centipedes are voracious eaters, using their multi-fanged mouthparts to search out unsuspecting insects and small animals like worms, slugs, and even other arthropods like spiders. When it comes to finding food, these creatures are particularly intelligent, quickly sensing when there is something nearby worth eating.

Centipedes are known for their nocturnal habits and good reason. These long, multi-legged creatures are perfectly adapted to hunting and stalking in the darkness of night. During the day, centipedes burrow deeply underground to avoid predators. At night, they emerge from their burrows and roam stealthily through their surroundings in search of food.

When faced with a centipede infestation, you need to take quick and decisive action. To protect yourself from these dangerous creatures and eliminate the threat they pose to your health, it is essential to work with a professional pest control company like E1 Pest Solutions. Founded by a team of highly experienced exterminators, E1 uses the latest techniques and cutting-edge equipment to deliver powerful pest-elimination services that are safe for homes and families. Whether you have just spotted your first centipede or already have a full-blown infestation on your hands, E1 has the skills and knowledge needed to provide an effective solution. So don't delay - contact E1 today for a free consultation, and say goodbye to your centipede infestation forever! Services we provide for other insects are for ants, termites, silverfish, rodents + more.

Why you should choose E1 Pest Solutions

See our services

Locations Centipedes can be found around your home

Internal

In homes, these potential entry points can include cracks or gaps in floors or walls, underneath furniture like couches or drawers, floor drains, or in closets where clothing tends to collect dust and moisture. Additionally, pet food bowls and bedding materials are key places for centipedes to nest. Because they feed on a variety of small insects and arthropods like roaches and ants, centipedes are generally considered beneficial pests that help keep populations of other household pests under control. However, their presence alone is often enough to cause distress among homeowners due to their appearance and the myths surrounding them. For this reason, it is important to take extra care when cleaning out any damp environments where you suspect centipedes may dwell in your home. And if your home does become infested with these creepy crawlers, it is important to consult with a pest management professional as soon as possible for safe removal and prevention of future pest problems.

External

Centipedes can be found all over the world, and some species have even adapted to thrive in warmer months. Generally speaking, centipedes are nocturnal creatures, meaning that they are most active at night and spend much of the day hiding in dark, damp spaces with excess moisture.

Pest control methods

01 | Insecticide Spray

Insecticide spray to control centipedes is a popular method of controlling these pesky insects. Typically, this product is applied directly to the surfaces where centipedes are typically found, such as the external skirting walls, gardens of a home or around doors and windows. The active ingredient in insecticide spray acts quickly to kill centipedes, by either destroying their nervous systems or dehydrating their bodies.

02 | Insecticide Dust

Insecticide dust is a commonly used treatment for controlling centipedes and other invasive insect pests. This dust is typically applied through a fine-grained sprayer or a handheld powder duster, and it works by killing the centipedes on contact. The application method varies depending on whether the goal is to treat a specific area or to rid an entire building of centipedes. For targeted treatments, the insecticide dust may be directly applied to small cracks and crevices where centipedes are known to hide; for whole-building treatments, the dust can be blown into attics and crawl spaces that are difficult to access from below. Ultimately, with the proper application of insecticide dust, we can get rid of a centipede problem from their homes.

03 | Expanding foam insecticide

Expanding foam insecticide is a highly effective method for controlling centipedes in the home. This powerful pesticide is applied using a specialized spray nozzle attachment, which allows it to penetrate deep into cracks and crevices where creepy crawlies like to hide. Once it comes into contact with a centipede, the expanding foam quickly kills the insect by attacking its nervous system. This pesticide can be applied anywhere in the home, including walls, floorboards, furniture, and baseboards, to ensure maximum coverage and protection against these bugs.

Get Free Quote

How to Prevent a Centipede Infestation

When it comes to preventing a house centipede infestation, there are several key tips that you need to keep in mind.

Should always keep your home clean and tidy. Centipedes love dark, cluttered areas, so make sure that you regularly sweep and vacuum to clear away any potential hiding spots.

Eliminate water sources like leaky pipes or standing water from your property, as house centipedes thrive in moist environments.

Make sure your gardens are neat and piles of grass clippings and leaf litter are minimum

Regular check the exterior of your home for potential entrance points and seal them up. e.g. cracks in window frames.

Consider using pest control regularly for an insecticide barrier to prevent centipedes. Choosing us, we use natural pesticides.

Centipede Pest Control Sydney