Finding a centipede in your house is unnerving. They’re nocturnal creatures who usually turn up where you least expect to find them. No one wants to go to the bathroom at 2 AM and find themselves face-to-face with a centipede on the opposite wall.

What attracts centipedes into homes? There are a few things that lure them in from the outdoors. Here’s what you should know about getting rid of centipedes in Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland.

What Attracts Centipedes into Your House?

There’s a whole world out there. So, why are centipedes in your house?

The most common thing that attracts centipedes is moisture. Whether in your home or out in the wild, centipedes like dark, damp areas with plenty of moisture. That’s why you’re likely to find them outside in places like woodpiles.

In your house, you’re more likely to find them around your plumbing: bathrooms, basements, and even closets. They hide during the day and come out when it’s dark both because the temperatures are lower and because their prey also comes out when the sun goes down.

Naturally, the other thing that attracts centipedes besides moisture is a food source – or other pests. Centipedes are carnivores that eat other bugs. So, if they’re thriving in your basement or bathroom – they’re not ordering takeout. You may have spiders or other insects hiding away in there.

How Do You Get Rid of Centipedes in VA and MD?

Making your house less attractive to centipedes is relatively straightforward.

If you have a leak in your home, causing it to be extra damp, then fixing the leak and drying out the room will make it inhospitable to centipedes who need a constant fix of moisture.

Getting rid of clutter also helps. Centipedes need somewhere to hide, and keeping a tidy space gives them fewer dark places to stow away. If you have piles of timber or leaves near your house, you should move those somewhere else on the property.

You’ll also need to reduce their food source. A pest control company can help you get rid of all pests and create a bug-free home, which means the centipedes won’t have anything to eat.

It’s also a good idea to hunt around for openings that centipedes and other pests can sneak into. Holes and cracks in your house allow them to sneak in when the conditions outside aren’t optimal, such as during the hot summer months in Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland.

Ask for Professional Help to Rid Your Home of Centipedes

What attracts centipedes? Unfortunately, the biggest allures are spiders and dampness – neither of which make for a comfortable home.

The good news is that fixing leaks and dampness and reducing the overall number of pests in your house will help keep centipedes at bay.

Are you worried that the centipedes think your house is too cozy? Get in touch to learn about our planet-friendly pest control methods in Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland.