Millipedes/Centipedes

Live Centipede/Millipede-Free with Pointe!

Pointe Pest Control is committed to keeping your home pest-free in every season. Our team of experienced and state-certified technicians are dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services for the Western Illinois and Eastern Missouri areas. If a pest problem is not completely resolved after a visit, our technicians will return until it is eliminated.

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Centipedes vs. Millipedes

Before discussing the lives of these two pests, it would be helpful to analyze the differences between centipedes and millipedes. They are often mistaken for each other, especially in regards to their appearances. But these two could not be more different when looking at the details.

Centipedes have flattened segmented bodies with one set of legs per segment, about 350 legs total. Millipedes have round segmented bodies with two pairs of legs per body segment, averaging anywhere from 40 to 400 legs. Millipedes are relatives of shrimp and lobsters, and do not have any stingers or pinchers for protection. This is why they will curl up and release a toxin when threatened, whereas centipedes will bite with their poisonous jaws and scurry away at the first sign of danger. Millipedes also prefer to stay in the soil and eat dead plant materials, while house centipedes like to invade the dark, damp spaces of a house and hunt insects.

Whether it is a centipede or a millipede that is causing problems, Pointe Pest Control is here to help! These creepy crawlies have no room in your home when we are providing a personalized treatment plan.

Hidden in the Shadows

A similarity that these pests share is wanting to remain hidden as much as possible. Centipedes go the extra mile by doing their foraging at night when they are even less likely to be found by predators. They need moisture to survive, which is why centipedes are often found in the bathroom, basement, or garage when they invade. Conversely, millipedes burrow underneath leaf litter to stay within the moist soil and keep cool, and they can even be found in well-watered gardens.

Besides the benefits of cooler temperatures and extra protection, a large reason for these pests wanting to live in darkness is because it does not make much of a difference to them. Most centipedes are blind or lack eyes, and millipedes have poor eyesight in general. They both use other actions, like feeling vibrations, to get around and find food. Centipedes use their antennae to feel their way around, giving them an erratic crawling pattern. Millipedes move more slowly, but their ability to climb walls and use their tough exoskeletons as protection are their main advantages. If you want all pests – hidden or otherwise – out of your home, call Pointe Pest Control!

Surprising Carnivores

Besides their appearances, the discerning attribute of centipedes and millipedes is their diets.
While they both look scary enough to catch other insects, it is only centipedes that are consistently carnivorous. House centipedes can inject venom through their forcipules, modified front legs that are right behind their heads. They use these to inject the venom into their prey and finish the job, or deliver a painful sting to humans who get too close. Centipedes will eat any small critter they catch, but their favorites are roaches, flies, silverfish, crickets, and spiders. These hunters can be considered beneficial for this reason.

Millipedes are more streamlined in their approach to their diet. They will only eat the damp plant material that is no longer healthy. They favor decaying wood particles, plant material, and leaves. But when there is no other option, they are known to eat live plants or decomposing insects and animals. Millipedes are also considered beneficial pests since they recycle nutrients back into the soil, but this is less enjoyable when they turn to our living plants for their next meal. Just because both of these pests are technically beneficial does not mean they are welcome in the house. Enter: Pointe Pest Control to solve all of your pest needs.

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Initial Inspection

We will begin by inspecting the property for any damage, entry points, and pests.

Personalized Treatments

Next, we will apply barrier treatments and do exclusion work to keep the pests out.

Pest-Free Guarantee

We do not leave any pest untreated. We guarantee that our services will solve your centipede and millipede issues.

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Somewhat Dangerous, Mostly Creepy

Neither of these critters are the most dangerous pests to have, but they do come with their own worrisome habits. The venom of centipedes is not lethal to humans. But centipedes will bite if they feel threatened by a nearby presence, so it is possible to be bitten by one. Larger centipedes give more painful bites, and centipede bites can trigger the same allergic reaction in certain people as other insect bites. If you or someone in your home is bitten by a centipede, please seek medical attention as a precaution.

Millipedes cannot bite or sting humans, so that is one less attribute to worry about. But there is another risk with millipedes: their secretion. They release a toxin as they curl up to ward off predators, which is more dangerous to animals than to people. But it does still have adverse effects on us when the toxin gets on skin, as it can cause burning and itching, and even potentially induce an allergic reaction. Do not touch a millipede if you find one, and seek medical attention if the toxin gets on your skin. Both centipedes and millipedes may prefer their solitude, but it is not good if humans get too close without protection.

So Many Legs, So Little Time

These pests may not invade to get people’s food or trash, but they can turn a minor event into a major infestation if left alone. Centipedes lay about 35 eggs per reproductive cycle in the soil, and they live for five to six years total. Millipedes lay up to 300 eggs in damp soil, then the hatchlings take a few years to mature, making their lifespan about ten years total. If one centipede or millipede is enough to creep you out, imagine hundreds of tiny ones over the course of a few years!

Since these critters like to go straight into hiding after invading, sealing all possible entry points is essential in their prevention. Inspect the house or structure’s exterior for any cracks, gaps, holes, or spaces. The areas around doors, windows, and the foundation usually accumulate the most imperfections. Seal these cracks with caulk, and fill any larger holes with copper mesh first. Also, check for any leaks and wood damage in the house. These pests love moisture, so removing any sources of excess water is important.

Stay One Step Ahead With Pointe Pest Control

Prevention is key in preventing any pests, but another essential is professional pest control services. At Pointe Pest Control, we strive to consistently uphold our “five-star standard” with our thorough inspections, personalized treatments, and pest-free guarantee. Our technicians are kept up-to-date on the best ways to control centipede and millipede populations, and we guarantee the efficacy of our treatments. Once the pest control for the centipedes’ prey is established, the treatments for centipedes and millipedes are applied to their common habitats.

Since both centipedes and millipedes try to stay completely out of view, our treatments are tailored to reach all of their hiding spots. As with every service, we begin with a complete inspection to assess the specific pests and their locations. We use a combination of barrier treatments and exclusion work to combat these critters. The barrier treatments consist of our effective products and traps, both of which target multiple pest species. The pesticide treatments are applied in cracks, gaps, and behind baseboards. Our technicians will treat specific interior and exterior hotspots, as well as 3 feet up and 3 feet out from each one. If there are any small holes or gaps that the pests can use, we will seal those and subsequently treat to completely block them out. If you want dependable centipede and millipede control, give Pointe Pest Control a call today to schedule your service!

Very Nice

They came promptly and sprayed inside as well as outside. It was quick and they were very nice. They also set out traps in the areas where we find centipedes most often.

Bethany K.

St. Charles

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Millipedes/Centipedes

Millipedes/Centipedes

Live Centipede/Millipede-Free with Pointe!

FREE PEST CONTROL QUOTE

Centipedes vs. Millipedes

Hidden in the Shadows

Surprising Carnivores

Talk to an Expert Today!

Initial Inspection

Personalized Treatments

Pest-Free Guarantee

Somewhat Dangerous, Mostly Creepy

So Many Legs, So Little Time

Stay One Step Ahead With Pointe Pest Control

Very Nice

Free Pest Control Quote

Contact Us Form

services

customer care

Email Us

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services

customer care

Email Us

Get Directions