Is The House Centipede Dangerous?

We all know that house centipedes are very creepy, but are they also dangerous? House centipedes are pests that enter the home as the temperatures start to drop, where they will find shelter and food. Their diet mainly consists of other insects, which they kill with their venom.

The house centipede venom

House centipedes have a venomous sting, which they use to capture other insects. This venom is not very dangerous to humans, but it can lead to complications if you have an allergy to certain toxins. The centipedes are also not a threat to dogs or cats. Dogs may get a sting when sniffing around outdoors, and cats will usually chase the centipedes.

Dangerous centipedes

While house centipedes are mostly harmless, giant desert centipedes, which are found in the Southwest, can be quite dangerous. They reach up to ten inches in length, and they display high levels of aggression. When stung, you may experience intense pain, swelling, redness and inflammation. The symptoms do go away after several hours, but people who are more sensitive to the venom may experience irregular pulse rates, headaches, dizziness and vomiting. Luckily, these centipedes rarely infest the home.

Dealing with a house centipede infestation

People usually become aware of a house centipede infestation when they turn on the light in the bathroom or the kitchen. Since these insects like areas that have high levels of moisture, it’s mostly in these areas of the home that they set up.

The main problem with a centipede infestation is the unease that these insects can cause by their presence. They are quite unsightly, and if they have the right conditions, they will reproduce and grow in numbers, until you will encounter them more and more often.

At that point, it’s a good idea to start thinking about your control options. You can find plenty of repellents, insecticides and products on the market that can help you get rid of minor infestations. For larger infestations, you will have to remove all of the centipedes, otherwise, the centipedes will keep reproducing as you remove them. This is where we can help you out. If you have one of these stubborn infestations, give us a call and we will set up an appointment and remove it from your home as soon as possible. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.