Centipede is a representative of arthropods, which belongs to the centipede order. Moreover, this is not an insect, as many people think, but an invertebrate animal! Centipedes live in almost all corners of the planet and have about 12 thousand varieties. In Russia, you can most often meet an ordinary flycatcher. This is a small centipede with a body size of 3-5 centimeters and many thin long limbs. An adult has 15 pairs, with the last one being the largest. Also on the head there are long antennae. Therefore, it is not always possible to determine where the head is and where the back of the body is.
A centipede in the house is not such a rare occurrence. It can start both in a private house and in an apartment. Why this happens and how to deal with it, the publication will tell.
Reasons for coming home
To understand why there are centipedes in the house, knowing their habits and behavior will help. In nature, these creatures live in humid places where small insects are in abundance - the main food of centipedes. With the advent of winter, they begin to seek shelter from the cold and often wander into basements and human dwellings. Flycatchers are even able to reach high floors byventilation shafts and gaps in ceilings.
These animals are especially attracted to bathrooms, places under sinks and dark corners where spiders, cockroaches, ants and other small insects most often live. With a constant source of food and moisture, the flycatcher will live long in the house and will even be able to breed successfully if other individuals are present.
That is, several factors contribute to the appearance of centipedes in the house.
- High humidity.
- Warm.
- Presence of insects.
- Darkness.
Is the centipede dangerous in the house for humans?
In general, centipedes are quite harmless creatures. They do not damage furniture, do not harm plants, and never attack people first. On the contrary, the flycatcher tends to hide back into the gap so that it is not touched. Only in rare cases, when she is in real danger, can she bite, injecting poison into her skin. But do not be afraid, he is very weak. Therefore, only a slight reddening occurs at the site of the bite. And then, the centipede is able to bite through the skin of a small child and small pets. An adult person is “too tough for her.”
That is, the question of whether centipedes are dangerous in the house can be answered in the negative. They do not pose a threat, but only scare away with their awesome appearance. And so, living together with a flycatcher is very useful. She, being a predator, perfectly exterminates spiders, flies, midges, cockroaches, fleas, moths, silverfish,larvae and worms.
But not every owner, for various reasons, is able to put up with the fact that he has such a creature in his house. Therefore, people have come up with several ways to destroy centipedes.
How to get rid of the centipede in the house?
The first thing that comes to mind when you see such a “miracle” in your home is to slap it with the first object that comes into your hands. Most often, it becomes slippers. But it should be borne in mind that the centipede is able to restore and re-grow damaged parts of the body, if it is not completely killed. It would be much more humane to catch a flycatcher in a jar and release it outside with the onset of heat.
This method is suitable if one or a pair of centipedes accidentally started up in the house. If they settled the dwelling thoroughly, then it is better to resort to more radical methods. Moreover, it is not necessary to use special drugs or toxic substances. Folk remedies are no less effective.
Eliminate moisture
The main reason why centipedes appear in the house is the abundance of moisture. It is worth getting rid of it, and then the flycatchers will leave to look for a more suitable place to live. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a general cleaning and carefully inspect hard-to-reach places (behind the bathroom, toilet and under the sinks). Perhaps water is accumulating somewhere or a wet rag is lying around. All wet areas should be wiped dry. Do not allow condensation to form on pipes or walls. This can often be observed after bath procedures. Should be more oftenventilate the bathroom and wipe the floor in it. If necessary, you can use a heater to dry the air. Do not leave wet towels and floor cloths in the house. It is better to dry them on the street or an open balcony. It is also worth more often being interested in the condition of the basement and attic. If water accumulation is found there, you will have to call a plumber.
Redecoration
If centipedes appeared at home, it means that somewhere there are holes or cracks through which they penetrated inside. If the passages are eliminated, this will help prevent the appearance of other parasites that love to feast on food supplies and human blood.
You need to carefully inspect the walls, floors, ceilings, baseboards, places near the drain and mosquito nets on the windows. If holes and cracks are found, you will have to do cosmetic repairs.
Remove centipede food source
Millipedes will not settle in a house unless there is a source of food. Therefore, the dwelling should be checked for the presence of insects. As a rule, most centipedes will leave on their own after the destruction of spiders, cockroaches, flies and other living creatures. To do this, you can use various chemicals. But do not hope that they will also kill the flycatchers. These creatures quickly develop immunity to insecticides and adapt to new conditions. Other methods will help to completely get rid of them.
Boric acid
An effective remedy that gets rid of centipedes inhome, boric acid is considered. It can be used in any form: both in the form of a powder and in the form of an alcohol solution. When ingested or on the body, boric acid causes severe burning, which usually leads to the death of a centipede.
It is enough to sprinkle the powder in those places where flycatchers most often appear. An alcohol solution of boric acid with a spray bottle must be applied to walls, floors and baseboards. Care must be taken when handling any form of substance.
Freezing
How to get rid of centipedes in a private house in the winter, they knew in ancient times. To do this, they arranged a freezing of the premises. This is easy to do, and without any special tools. You need to turn off all the heating in the house for 2-3 days and go live somewhere else. During this time, all pests and insects will die.
It is clear that for an apartment and a private house, which are heated by central heating, this method is not suitable.
Modern facilities
Many modern people also know how to get rid of centipedes in the house. To do this, they use toxic drugs that destroy not only the flycatcher, but also other uninvited guests that attract it. Since such products belong to the category of strong chemistry, safety measures must be taken. During processing, wear a mask and gloves, and at the end of work, ventilate the room.
The following drugs are suitable for fighting flycatchers:
- "Dichlorvos Neo". Available in the form of an aerosol, which is odorless. It kills centipedes almost instantly. The effect of the drug lasts for two weeks.
- "Raid". Also presented in the form of a spray, but with the smell of lavender. Continues to operate for several days after processing the premises. The tool must be ventilated.
- "Medilis-Ziper". This is a rather toxic agent that should be sprayed on the intended habitat of centipedes. The drug stands out from the rest because it does not harm pets.
- "Clean House". This tool is more suitable for destroying centipede nests. But it effectively copes with other pests.
- Global. It is a toxic paste for the destruction of various pests. It must be applied to the habitat of the arthropod and around the perimeter of the room. The smell of the paste is unpleasant, but weak.
Prevention measures
To prevent the appearance of centipedes in a private house and apartment, it is necessary to take preventive measures. If this is not done, then the flycatcher may return again. What actions should be taken?
- Clean the house regularly and keep it clean. Including checking hard-to-reach places for moisture.
- Kill small insects that might attract centipedes.
- If necessary, make cosmetic repairs (seal all cracks and holes).
- Periodically it is possible to process the premises with special meansagainst insects and other pests.
The publication told how to get rid of centipedes in a private house and apartment, as well as the reasons for their appearance. If you follow the above recommendations, then these creatures will leave the dwelling forever and never return.
