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Old 07-16-2011, 02:29 PM
 
6 posts, read 29,593 times
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Depending on how recently you moved into your new home, the "infestation" might just be due to the inactivity in the building prior to your arrival. As others have mentioned, it is actually a good thing to have at least some house centipedes in your home, as they are harmless to humans and eat other pests (most commonly spiders). If you continue to see a bunch of them after being in the house for a while, though, I would definitely get it checked out.
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Old 07-16-2011, 02:48 PM
 
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Look for cracks in your foundation near the ground level or loose weatherstripping around doors that are close to flowerbeds and such. If you find these issues, correct them. Even though they adapt readily to the indoors, centipedes don't nest inside homes. They come in from outside. Correcting the aforementioned issues and using a dehumidifier in your basement (if you have one) during the spring and summer months will alleviate 90% of the issue. A curious cat will take care of the rest. But, as others have said, they are harmless and more or less beneficial. Yes, they are creepy and you don't want them to be everywhere inside of your house. However, there is nothing to be afraid of. The one thing you may want to check on is if you have some other true infestation as centipedes usually follow their prey.
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Old 07-19-2011, 08:33 PM
 
89 posts, read 183,168 times
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I absolutely despise house centipedes. It makes my life a living nightmare sometimes because I don't kill things. :-p

Seeing that many a day isn't normal at all. However, they do exist and I have at times seen a few a week.

They eat spiders and insects, so they're great things to have around. At any point you'll probably have not only house centipedes by around 20 species of spider and a few dozen species of insect living in your house (how's that for nightmares?) and it's all perfectly normal. Contrary to popular belief, a lot of indoor spiders are even adapted specifically for indoor life and do not belong outside.

It's really unfortunate that you seem to have an infestation. I would die. Seriously. :-P Just keep in mind that while you may be encouraged to attempt to "exterminate" all the insects in your house, it's not only next to impossible and incredibly costly, it doesn't work.

For anyone interested, this is one of my favorite sources of info on household critters (mostly spiders, but also insects): Spider Myths: Home .

Hope all goes well!
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Old 07-19-2011, 09:14 PM
 
Location: Brooklyn,NY
7 posts, read 29,047 times
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I have The Same Problem!!! OMG They Are The Worst... And My Landlord Wont Exterminate... to Get Rid Of Them... So I Called NYC HPD.... and They Will Surely Exterminate.... Thats The Only way You Will Be Rid Of Those Nasty Pest....
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Old 07-20-2011, 07:00 AM
 
1,130 posts, read 2,398,124 times
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My cat had a run in with one of those buggers when she was a kitten. She used to chase them all the time, but once she got hold of one and it did something to her. She jumped back and to this day she keeps a safe distance.
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Old 07-20-2011, 08:59 AM
 
10 posts, read 32,597 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81 View Post
Centipedes are harmless. I wouldn't get all worked up about them.


Mr. Portokalos, is that you? Gets rid of warts, too!
brilliant movie quote. haha.

They are quite frightful when you spot one (I had one crawl on my shoulder when I was on my couch...scared me to hell), but they help get rid of other insects. I haven't seen one bigger than 2-3 inches though. Just make sure there are no cracks in your molding/floor and get a dehumidifier and you should be fine.
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Old 07-20-2011, 01:28 PM
 
10,135 posts, read 26,285,752 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Merdoc View Post
brilliant movie quote. haha.

They are quite frightful when you spot one (I had one crawl on my shoulder when I was on my couch...scared me to hell), but they help get rid of other insects. I haven't seen one bigger than 2-3 inches though. Just make sure there are no cracks in your molding/floor and get a dehumidifier and you should be fine.

Well, Portokalos or not, I tell you its the thing to use.
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Old 07-25-2011, 02:58 PM
 
116 posts, read 440,964 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81 View Post
Centipedes are harmless. I wouldn't get all worked up about them.


Mr. Portokalos, is that you? Gets rid of warts, too!
Not worked up necessarily... more than creeped out...
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Old 07-25-2011, 03:00 PM
 
116 posts, read 440,964 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Variance View Post
Depending on how recently you moved into your new home, the "infestation" might just be due to the inactivity in the building prior to your arrival. As others have mentioned, it is actually a good thing to have at least some house centipedes in your home, as they are harmless to humans and eat other pests (most commonly spiders). If you continue to see a bunch of them after being in the house for a while, though, I would definitely get it checked out.
You are absolutely right... the centipedes were the new renters as the place as vacant for the past 10 months before we moved. it's reassuring that they're friends of ours in getting rid of spiders
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Old 07-30-2011, 03:50 PM
 
1 posts, read 19,442 times
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They may be harmless, but seeing a new one every week or so gets old. I was especially unhappy about the one on my pillow. I've had it! My first line of defense is to clean up around the outside of the house and try to use some boric acid in well placed locations. I really don't want to soak the house with pesticides yet, but I cannot spend every day looking out of the corner of my eye for house centipedes. Harmless or not, they got a face only a mother centipede could love.
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