Is It Dangerous To Have Centipedes In My Houston Home?

If you have seen elongated bugs with a multitude of legs around your Houston home, it is likely that you are dealing with centipedes. Centipedes are venomous creatures that can inflict painful bites on pets and humans, and it is best to stop them from proliferating as soon as you see them. If centipedes have invaded your home, now is the time to learn how to identify them, understand why they came indoors, and how to get rid of them, as well as get educated on the danger they can pose to you and your family. If you are struggling with an abundance of centipedes, Texas Termite Terminators provides pest control in Houston you can rely on for safe and effective treatments.

What Do Centipedes Look Like?

If you are trying to identify the centipede-type bugs in your home, the following characteristics can help you determine what you are dealing with:

• Centipedes have an elongated body, much like that of a worm.
• Centipedes have many body segments, with a pair of legs attached to each one.
• Centipedes range from brown to orange in color.
• Centipedes move very quickly and are most active at night or when people are least active.

If you think that you might have centipedes in your house, it is best to reach out to pest control professionals to eliminate them, as they can be dangerous to pets and humans.

How Dangerous Is A Centipede's Bite?

In general, a centipede’s bite is not as dangerous as the bite of some other venomous pests. However, it can also be very painful and can cause dangerous side effects in those who are more sensitive to their venom. Children, the elderly, and people who might develop an allergic reaction should avoid centipede bites at all costs. While the threat is reduced when the centipedes are still small, some of them can grow to be 6 inches long, and are drastically more dangerous. If you have been bitten by a centipede, it is best to seek out medical care. Centipede bites can cause anything from pain and redness at the biting site, to heart tremors and vomiting.

Why Do I Have Centipedes In My Home?

There are many reasons why you might have centipedes in your Houston home, including the following:

• Food: Centipedes eat bugs like spiders, moths, cockroaches, and more. If you see a variety of other pests in your home, eliminating them can go a long way to reduce your centipede population.
• Shelter: Centipedes might be going into your home to escape harsh elements outside. To prevent them from coming in, be sure to seal cracks in your walls and foundation, install fine-mesh screens on your windows as well as door sweeps, and clear out clutter where they might be hiding. You might also look for centipedes in plants around your house.
• Moisture: Centipedes need moisture to survive, much like other pests. Fixing leaks and avoiding leaving standing water around your home can help deter them.

If you are struggling to control the reasons why centipedes have invaded your home, contact us today. When it comes to getting rid of centipedes, your best bet is to work with trained technicians with the knowledge required to eliminate them.

What's The Best Way To Get Rid Of Centipedes?

The best way to get rid of centipedes safely and effectively is to work with a quality pest control company. Our licensed technicians will conduct a thorough investigation of your property and devise a treatment plan to both get rid of these unwanted invaders and prevent them from coming back. Homemade remedies for centipedes can often be ineffective and will allow them to multiply, possibly leading to a huge centipede infestation that can be more difficult to eliminate. 

Do not let centipedes take over your home and risk being the victim of their painful bites. If you are struggling with a centipede infestation, Texas Termite Terminators can help you get rid of them for good.