Our Lexington KY Centipedes are predatory creatures equipped with sharp fangs to inject venom into insects and small prey. These nocturnal creatures prefer dark and humid areas like cracks, rocks, leaf litter, and rotting logs. They can live for over a year and can often find their way into homes by crawling under doors or through small openings such as around pipes, wires, weep holes and other small openings around our homes.
Common Lexington KY Centipedes
The most common type found in Kentucky is the long-legged house centipede. The house centipede is known for its rapid movement and tendency to hide under objects. Although, they are one of the few types of centipedes that are not commonly found underneath rocks and logs. Despite their spooky appearance, these house centipedes are harmless to humans as their small mouthparts cannot penetrate the skin effectively. In homes, they are often seen moving very quickly in basements, attics and other cool, indoor places.
Centipede Prevention Tips for Homeowners
Limit Hiding Places
Effective management of centipedes involves minimizing moisture and removing potential hiding places, especially near the foundation. Removing debris like leaves, grass clippings, and objects laying on the ground beside the foundation is crucial, as they tend to attract and harbor insects that house centipedes eat. Ensuring that mulch is not piled too high near the foundation of your home can also be helpful. As well as elevating items, such as firewood which centipedes can often be found under is recommended
Reduce Moisture
Preventing moisture accumulation near the foundation or in crawl spaces is essential. Properly functioning gutters, downspouts, and splash blocks should divert water away from the foundation wall. Repairs should be made to leaking faucets, water pipes, and air conditioning units, while lawn sprinklers should be adjusted to minimize puddling and never directed toward the home. In cases of poor drainage, installing drainage tiles or adjusting the ground slope to direct surface water away from the building may be necessary. Adequate ventilation, sump pumps, and polyethylene soil covers can help reduce humidity in crawl spaces and basements.
Seal Entry Points
Sealing cracks and openings in the foundation wall and around doors and windows is another effective measure. Tight-fitting door sweeps or thresholds should be installed at the base of all exterior entry doors, and caulking can be applied along the bottom outside edge and sides of door thresholds. Expansion joints should also be sealed, both on the exterior where patios, sunrooms, and sidewalks meet the foundation, and on the interior along the bottom of basement walls.
Professional Pest Control For Lexington KY Centipedes
If you’ve implemented the above best practices and you’re still seeing centipedes in your home, you should consider hiring a professional pest management company. At Berner, our Top Dog Pest Prevention service will effectively reduce the centipede population around your home through targeting treatments. We’ll treat areas around your home where centipedes often enter and appear inside. We service homes in Lexington, Nicholasville, Georgetown, Versailles, and Winchester! Contact us today for a free, no-obligation estimate! If you’re interested in learning more about other centipedes less commonly found in homes, check out UK’s Critter Files here!
