Katy Property Owner's Practical Guide To Effective Centipede & Millipede Control

Millipedes and centipedes often get lumped together (as they should), being members of the same family of Myriapoda (or pests with many legs). However, there are some subtle differences that you might not be aware of, and these two pests also get lumped together into another category: nuisance pests. These kinds of pests are often thought of as non-dangerous insects that won’t transfer diseases or attack humans or pets.
 
However, as “non-dangerous” as centipedes and millipedes might be, one of them (not sure which, unfortunately) crawled across my foot the other night. I handled myself relatively well, only screaming loud enough to wake one neighbor rather than the whole neighborhood. But I wouldn’t exactly consider it an experience I’d welcome again. To protect your peace of mind, enjoy a clean, comfortable home, and not worry about these pests bothering you when you’re trying to relax, let’s get to know the difference between centipedes and millipedes and how to avoid infestations in Katy.

Understanding The Invaders

Even though they are very similar, understanding the subtle differences between centipedes and millipedes can help you identify a problem. First of all, centipedes have much flatter bodies and a brown, gray, or red color. The millipede will generally have a much more cylindrical and segmented body. You can quickly tell the difference when you disturb or threaten one of these pests, as the millipede will quickly curl into a ball for protection.
 
These two are also different in their feeding habits, as centipedes feed on other insects while millipedes feed on decaying matter, like soil. Centipedes use the poisonous claws below their head to kill other insects, but their poison is not dangerous for humans. They usually hunt at night, so you’re most likely to see them during this time.

Preventing An Infestation

Even though centipedes and millipedes aren’t dangerous to humans, they can cause skin and eye irritations for various reasons. It’s always smart to wash your hands after handling a millipede, as they will secrete an irritating fluid that can affect the eyes. Centipede bites can also cause a rash in certain cases. Fortunately, however, there are a few ways you can lessen your chances of incurring an infestation.
 
First of all, both of these pests thrive in moist, dark areas like closets and bathrooms, often nesting under the house. To prevent them from coming into your house, you should really focus on the entryways. Doors, windows, and pipes provide access points that need to be sealed up. Also, you can eliminate any potential places for them to hide in your yard near the home (like stones, compost, and firewood), and make sure that any mulch in the yard is turned over occasionally to dry it out. Allowing for proper ventilation in the crawl spaces is also essential to prevent moisture buildup and ensuing millipede or centipede activity.

Guaranteed Comfort

As long as you’re controlling the moisture issues in your home by checking on potentially leaky pipes, faucets, and outdoor AC units, these pests will probably find somewhere else to invade. However, moisture control and entry-way protection, to do properly, takes a ton of effort. If you want guaranteed protection from these pests, turning to professional pest control is far and away your best option. Fortunately, Modern Pest Control has the affordable services that Katy, Texas residents can rely on all year-round. If you want to worry about millipedes, centipedes, and other pests stalking through your house at night, then you can try controlling them on your own. But to preserve your peace of mind and ensure your comfort, go with the professionals at Modern Pest Control.