What are centipedes & millipedes?

Centipedes and millipedes in Ithaca are both a type of arthropod. These unique creatures have segmented, worm-like bodies covered in an exoskeleton, with many legs and no backbone.

There are several differences between centipedes and millipedes:

• Centipedes have flat, elongated bodies; millipedes are also elongated, but more cylindrical.
• Millipedes coil up when disturbed; centipedes do not.
• Centipedes have one pair of legs per body segment; millipedes have two to four pairs of legs per body segment.
• Centipedes move fast, while millipedes move much more slowly.

Are centipedes & millipedes dangerous?

Centipedes and millipedes are nuisance pests that pose no significant threats to people. Centipedes can deliver painful bites, but bites usually only occur when you handle them. You should always be careful around millipedes because they spray a toxic, foul-smelling fluid as a means of defense, which causes a skin reaction in some people.

Why do I have a centipede & millipede problem?

Centipedes and millipedes live both in and around gardens, as well as near building foundations, which gives them easy access into our homes, garages, and other structures. They both have high moisture needs, and look to move inside when the weather becomes too hot and dry. They move indoors at ground level through cracks in the foundation or under doors.

Where will I find centipedes & millipedes?

Centipedes and millipedes live in similar habitats. They have high moisture needs, and live outside within damp soil located under fallen trees, logs, landscaping ties, rocks, woodpiles, and leaf piles. They also like to live under trash cans, compost piles, and recycling bins that make direct contact with the ground. Inside, centipedes and millipedes hide in hard-to-reach areas in homes like basements, crawlspaces, and underneath sinks.

How do I get rid of centipedes & millipedes?

Get rid of centipedes and millipedes from your Central New York property with the help of local, experienced professionals. At Sweeney's Pest Elimination, we have been protecting people and property from our area's most common pests for over 20 years.

If you are experiencing problems with centipedes and millipedes, our professionals will take care of the problem and put into place the services needed to stop them from returning. To learn more about our home pest management or commercial pest control solutions and eliminate centipedes and millipedes from your Central New York property, contact us at Sweeney's Pest Elimination today!

How can I prevent centipedes & millipedes in the future?

In addition to our professional pest control services, avoid future problems with centipedes and millipedes by putting into place the following prevention tips:

• Seal up gaps in the foundation of your home and place a door sweep on your basement door.
• Create a barrier between your foundation and the soil.
• Remove piles of leaves, fallen trees, excess woodpiles, and other debris from your property where millipedes and centipedes can hide.
• Place garbage cans, recycling bins, and compost bins up off of the ground.
• Cut dense or overgrown vegetation back away from your foundation.
• Use dehumidifiers to keep basements dry.
• Keep crawlspaces ventilated.

‍