What Huntsville Property Owners Ought To Know For Effective Centipede & Millipede Control
June 30, 2020
There are many pests you might have to deal with on your Huntsville property, and some of them are more of a problem than others. While some pests can damage property or pose risks to your health, others are mostly considered a harmless nuisance. While you might know how dangerous some pests are such as rodents or bed bugs, you might be unsure about other pests like centipedes and millipedes. These pests are creepy, but they are harmless to humans and pets.
These two pests are best identified by their many legs, but, while they look similar, there are key differences.
- Centipede: This pest has a worm-like body with 15-150 pairs of legs. The legs stick out more from its body than a millipede's. It has a claw-like appendage from its mouth. Centipedes can range in color from yellow to dark brown.
- Millipede: This pest also has a long body, but it has two pairs of legs for each of its body segments while centipedes only have one pair per segment. A millipede's legs are more tucked under its body. These insects are usually red, brown, or black.
Are There Any Dangers Associated With Centipedes And Millipedes?
Because of their many, many legs, centipedes and millipedes look more menacing than they really are. Both of these creatures are nuisance pests as they pose no health risks to humans or animals. While centipedes are carnivorous and have venom, the venom is only dangerous to small insects. They use this venom to kill and eat their prey. At most, skin contact with one of these bugs can cause mild skin irritation or allergies. They also don’t pose any significant risks to property. If there are a lot of millipedes in your yard, they can do minimal damage to plants.
Ways To Prevent Centipedes And Millipedes
Although centipedes and millipedes are different and eat different food, they do have many similarities when it comes to entering your home or commercial property. They tend to enter homes for similar reasons and in the same ways. Huntsville property owners can help prevent both of these pests by doing a few simple things. While prevention steps can’t completely prevent them, they can make your home or business less attractive to them and reduce the likelihood that they will come inside. Here are a few prevention steps:
- Get rid of decaying plant matter such as leaf piles or dead wood.
- Trim vegetation away from your home so the perimeter can stay dry.
- Reduce excess moisture by repairing leaky pipes and faucets.
- Keep crawl spaces and attics well-ventilated.
- Store firewood away from the exterior of your home.
- Keep your home less humid by using dehumidifiers.
Help With Centipede And Millipede Problems
If you've noticed more centipedes or millipedes around your property, the pest control professionals at Custom Pest Control can help with prevention and control. We have over 25 years of experience with these and other pests in the area. Give us a call today to learn more or for assistance.