6 Signs of a Centipede Infestation You Shouldn’t Ignore

Concerned about thousand leggers? Recognize the warning signs of a centipede infestation and safeguard your home now. Let’s help you take effective action!

There are more than3,000 different speciesof centipedes worldwide, with many thousands more yet to be identified. While most people rarely see these many-legged creatures, acentipede infestationin your home can be a real concern.

Here in Northern California, the most common species you’ll find indoors is the House Centipede. Though they look intimidating, they are generally not harmful to humans. However, their presence can indicate moisture problems or other pests in your home.

At Fast Action Pest Control, we understand how important it is to catch these issues early. In this blog post, we’ll share the common centipede signs you shouldn’t ignore and explain how effective centipede pest control can protect your home. Let’s get started.

1. Frequent Sightings Indoors

One of the firstsigns of a centipede problemis seeing them more often inside your home. Because centipedes are mostly active at night,you might notice them scurrying across floors, walls, or near sinks and drains when the lights are off.They move fast and have many long legs, which can make spotting them quite surprising.

Frequent sightings usually mean there are more centipedes hiding nearby. These pests prefer dark, damp places like basements, bathrooms, and closets. If you see them around these areas, it’s a good sign they have made themselves comfortable.

Since they hide in small cracks and tight spaces, you might only see a few here and there. When sightings increase,it’s important to take action before the problem grows.

2. Increased Activity During Summer

Centipedes become more activeduring the summer months. This is when female centipedes lay their eggs, so you might notice more movement around your home. The warmer temperatures and higher humidity encourage them to come out more often to hunt for food and find suitable places to lay eggs.

Because of this increase in activity,many homeowners suddenly see centipedes where they didn’t before.This spike can feel alarming, but it is a common seasonal pattern. If you notice more centipedes in the summer, it’s a sign that an infestation may be developing.

Taking steps early can help prevent their numbers from growing further. If you are unsure or uncomfortable dealing with the problem yourself, our pest control professionals can help assess and treat your home effectively.

3. Moisture Problems in the Home

Centipedes thrive in damp, cool environments, so moisture issues in your home often attract them. Leaky pipes, condensation, or high humidity levels in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements create the perfect conditions for centipedes tolive and breed. If you noticesigns like water stains, musty smells, or damp walls, these could be inviting centipedes inside.

At Fast Action Pest Control, we often find that fixing moisture problems is one of the first steps to reducing centipede activity. By sealing leaks and improving ventilation, you can make your home less attractive to these pests.

If moisture issues are hard to spot or fix, our team can help identify problem areas and recommend effective solutions to keep your home dry and centipede-free.

4. Seeing Other Insects

Centipedes are predators that feed on a variety of other insects, such as:

• Spiders
• Silverfish
• Cockroaches

If you have an increase in these insects around your home, it can attract centipedes looking for food.Seeing more bugs than usual might mean your home has a larger pest problem.

Because centipedes rely on other insects for food, their presence can be a sign that there are other pests hiding nearby. Addressing the root pest issues can help reduce centipede activity. If you notice both centipedes and other insects frequently, it’s important to take action to stop the cycle before it gets worse.

5. Unexplained Movement in Hidden Areas

Many homeowners notice unusual rustling sounds or quick movements in hidden places like under sinks, behind walls, or inside cracks in floorboards. These are common spots where centipedes hide during the day.

Because centipedes have long, slender bodies and many legs,they can easily slip into small cracks and tight spaces that often go unnoticed.

Their fast movements can make them hard to catch or spot, but if you keep hearing noises in quiet areas, it could be a sign of an infestation. Centipedes prefer dark, damp hiding places, so checking these areas regularly is important.

At Fast Action Pest Control, we understand how tricky it can be to find and treat these pests in hidden spots. Our trained technicians know where to look and how to safely eliminate centipedes from your home, ensuring they don’t come back.

6. Egg Clusters or Shed Legs

Last but not least, finding egg clusters or shed legs is a strong sign of a centipede infestation.Female centipedes lay their eggsin damp, hidden spots such as:

• Basements
• Crawl spaces
• Under piles of debris

These eggs are usually small, white, and grouped together in clusters.Shed legs may be left behind when centipedes molt as they grow.

Although it’s not common to see these signs, spotting them means centipedes have been living in your home for some time and are reproducing. This indicates a larger problem than just a few stray insects.

To manage this, proper indoor pest management is essential. This includes reducing moisture, sealing entry points, and regularly inspecting these hidden areas. Early detection of egg clusters or shed legs helps stop centipedes before their numbers grow too large.

Signs of a Centipede Infestation You Shouldn’t Ignore

The bottom line is that acentipede infestationcan be unsettling, even if these pests aren’t dangerous. Recognizing the early signs is important to prevent their numbers from growing and to protect your home from moisture and other pest problems. If you’ve noticed frequent sightings, increased activity in summer, moisture issues, or signs like egg clusters, it’s time to act.

Fast Action Pest Control is here to help Northern California homeowners with effective solutions tailored to your needs. Our team offers free inspections and expert treatments to quickly get rid of centipedes and keep them from coming back.

Contact Fast Action Pest Control toschedule your inspectionand take the first step toward a pest-free home.