How to get rid of centipedes in an apartment

The centipede in the house is one of the most unpleasant creatures. Meeting her is horrifying and disgusting. However, you are quite capable of getting rid of such an unwanted neighbor.

centipede in the apartment
From the appearance of such a "handsome", as in the photo, no one is insured.

Meet the centipede!

As they say, you need to know the enemy by sight. Who is this centipede? It is a representative of arthropods, belongs to the order of millipedes. Someone thinks it is an insect, but this is not true. There are approximately 12,000 species of centipede found all over the world.

flycatcher
Before figuring out how to get rid of centipedes in your home, you need to be able to recognize them.

On the territory of Russia, the common flycatcher is most common, having a light brown color, reaching a length of 5 cm, with many legs and long antennae on the head. Each limb has a sharp claw, thanks to which the centipede moves calmly even along vertical planes.

flycatcher insect
By the way, these are very ancient insects, they lived even before the appearance of ape-like creatures.

And in the southern regions you can find the "relative" of the common flycatcher - scolopendra. It is much larger in size, however, like a flycatcher, it is absolutely safe for humans, but unpleasant sensations when meeting it are guaranteed to you.

centipede
A centipede (aka centipede, centipede, flycatcher) looks like a caterpillar with a large number of legs.

By the way, it is worth noting that this creature got the name "centipede" not because there are exactly 40 legs, but simply because there are many limbs.

centipede
When a limb is lost or damaged, they tend to grow back.

Reasons for the appearance

In their natural environment, centipedes live in humid places where there are many small insects for food. And in residential buildings, the "invasion" of flycatchers is observed in late autumn, when it gets cold outside, and these creatures have to look for shelter and food.

flycatcher home
Despite the fact that the appearance of a centipede may well frighten off even an adult, it does not pose a serious danger to people.

Through the cracks in the walls and ventilation ducts, centipedes easily make their way into apartments, even to the highest floors. Since moisture is vital for them, they most often settle in bathrooms or in the kitchen closer to the sink. And in private houses, basements and attics become their favorite habitat.

flycatcher in the apartment
The venom of this arthropod is fatal exclusively for insects (cockroaches, bedbugs, flies, etc.)

Flycatchers are nocturnal creatures, so it is almost impossible to notice them during the day. But when it gets dark, they go hunting and move around the apartment very quickly.

An interesting fact: a centipede can catch several insects with its paws.

centipede in apartment photo
In fact, the domestic centipede can be very useful - it destroys harmful insects.

Getting rid of unwanted guests

First of all, in order to forget about the nightmare neighborhood, you will have to create unfavorable conditions for the life of centipedes. Remember, getting rid of unwanted neighbors can be very difficult, so to avoid serious problems, just remember to take preventive measures.

how to get rid of centipedes
If you decide to fight centipedes in an apartment or house, you need to study their main habitats.
  1. Destroy all insects that can become food for centipedes: mosquitoes, cockroaches, ants, flies.
  2. Carefully inspect the corners and walls, close up all existing gaps so that parasites do not enter the house from the street.
  3. Be sure to install mosquito nets on the windows.
  4. Dry the room well, install a ventilation system and get rid of sources of high humidity. Purchase electric dehumidifiers if necessary. Without enough water, flycatchers die or leave in search of more favorable living conditions.
  5. Do general cleaning regularly, carefully inspect and wipe the most secluded corners (especially in the bathroom and toilet).
  6. Ventilate the room often.
  7. If you live in a private house, and you have a basement and an attic, do not leave them unattended. Periodically inspect these areas, clean them and ventilate them.

Chemicals

The most effective is the use of chemicals, aerosols or sprays. Before proceeding with the destruction of intruders, carefully read the instructions for use and follow them. Otherwise, you not only will not destroy the centipedes, but you can also harm your household or pets.

chemical agents
You can fight arthropods using folk methods, as well as insecticides.
  • Take all the recommended safety precautions: gloves, a respirator, and if necessary, a protective suit.
  • Make sure that there are no children or pets in the room during processing.
  • Close the foodstuffs tightly (or remove them from the room altogether), transfer the plants to another room.
  • After processing the room, leave it closed for a while for the drug to "work".
  • Then ventilate the area well and do a wet mop.
wet cleaning
The most effective way to get rid of centipedes is to deprive them of a comfortable environment in which they can exist and reproduce.

Important! Since centipedes are insect pests that feed on other insects, bait poisoning is often simply ineffective.

The following drugs are considered the most effective in the fight against millipedes:

  1. Medilis-Ziper. The toxic composition is produced in the form of an aerosol. It is sprayed on the habitats of parasites. The main advantage is that it is safe for pets.
  2. Globol Original. It is a toxic pasty agent that is used to combat various pests. It has a mild unpleasant odor, therefore it is used with caution in apartments with pets. The paste is applied around the perimeter of the room in a thin layer.
  3. Clean house. Affordable and fairly effective aerosol. It has a strong insecticidal effect. One bottle can be enough for two or three room treatments.
  4. Dichlorvos Neo. An improved version of a tool familiar from ancient times. It is odorless and deadly to centipedes. Works within two weeks after spraying.
  5. Raid. A fairly well-known agent, produced in aerosols, has a pleasant lavender scent. Valid for several days after processing. The main thing is to ventilate the room immediately after disinfestation so that it is safe to be in it.

Folk tricks

If for some reason you do not want (or cannot) use chemical agents, many years of folk experience will come to your aid. By the way, as practice shows, improvised means are in some cases even more effective. So the choice is yours.

how to get rid of centipedes
If you catch several individuals, and then take them out into the street and release them away from home, then the rest of the flycatchers will leave their dwelling alone on their own, these are very smart insects.

Boric acid. This tool is "loved" by many for its versatility and versatility, as well as for complete safety for people and pets. With its help, at one time, they very effectively got rid of cockroaches and other uninvited guests.To combat millipedes, boric acid is scattered under the baseboards in the bathroom and behind pipes, in places where parasites are likely to accumulate.

boric acid
This method of control is preferable when there are too many of these insects.

Another way is to use diatomaceous powder. The tool will also not harm you and your pets, but centipedes will not be good for it. Just scatter the powder over the likely habitat of the parasite.

diatomite
It is important to analyze and find the primary source that interested the flycatchers.

Older people will offer you another simple and effective way to get rid of the common flycatcher. This is the freezing of the house. For many years, this was the most effective way to get rid of intruders, absolutely safe for the owners of the house.

freezing the house
It is also important to get rid of the apartment from unnecessary garbage, which may be old, unnecessary things. You can't spare old stuff - its place is in the trash bin!

In winter, the house was left without heating for 2-3 days. At this time, they went to live with neighbors or relatives. In the house, not only centipedes perished, but all other pests as well. Unfortunately, today this method is only applicable to private houses.

house in the snow
It is not possible to carry out such an operation in apartments with a central heating system.

It is obvious that it is possible to cope with centipedes. It doesn't matter what you choose: folk remedies or chemicals. And remember, it is better to avoid the problem than to solve it later.

centipedes in the house
The most important thing to know is that the centipede does not pose a danger to humans and to pets and other pets.

Video: 10 facts about the domestic centipede flycatcher

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