Centipede Control in Grand Rapids

Centipede Treatment & Removal in West Michigan & Northeast Indiana

There are over 3,000 species of centipede known worldwide, although scientists believe there may be as many as 5,000 undiscovered. However, the United States is home to four main types: the house centipede, the giant desert centipede, the stone centipede, and the soil centipede. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica, and locales with warm, tropical climates tend to have the most concentrated diversity in shape and body configuration.

Have you spotted these many-legged critters in or around your home? Contact Fortified Pest Defense to request a free service estimate.

Where to Check for Centipedes in Your Home

One thing that is common among centipedes is that they are expert hiders. Most species have adapted to live in soil or piles of dead leaves, tree bark, or beneath rocks and stumps. This means that, once inside someone's home, they seek a quiet place to hide. They stealthily crawl under doors or through vents, or cracked windows, and can be found in crawl spaces, basements, under sinks, and even inside drains. 

Some species have an easier time hiding than others, as these critters come in vastly differing sizes. Without including antennae, house centipedes average approximately 1 to 2 inches in length. In contrast, the giant desert centipede grows to an average of 6.5 inches, but some have been found in the wild as long as 8 inches.

What Attracts Centipedes to a Property

Most centipedes are carnivorous predators; their prey includes worms, spiders, soft-bodied insects, and other arthropods, including other centipedes. These speedy crawlers can move approximately 1.3 feet per second, which allows them to charge their victims before stinging them with their forelegs and injecting a paralyzing venom. Their venom is usually not harmful to people, although their bites can cause localized pain and swelling around the bite. 

Like other venomous creatures, centipedes’ toxins are much more dangerous to people who have allergic reactions; they can cause chills, fever, weakness, and much more severe swelling. The most common house centipedes aren't aggressive towards people and normally run away, but they can deliver a sharp jolt of pain when picked up, stepped on with bare feet, or threatened in some other way.