How to Get Rid of Centipedes in Your House—and Make Sure They Don't Come Back

While the common household centipede can be a disturbing sight for some (how many legs can one creature have, after all?), these myriapods are not harmful. In fact, they can be quite helpful when it comes to controlling the population of other types of pests. However, if their quick speed and slithery nature give you the ick, our experts share what attracts them, non-toxic removal methods, as well as preventative methods to deter them away from your living and outdoor areas.

What Attracts Centipedes

Centipedes typically appear in a home because they are seeking water and shelter. “Because they are attracted to humidity and cool, dark spaces, they are most often seen in bathrooms, cellars, closets and attics, or around cement block walls and unexcavated areas below the home,” explains Scot Hodges, an A.C.E.-certified entomologist. “Centipedes also lay their eggs in these places, or in the tiny spaces behind baseboards or beneath firewood bark.”

When a homeowner sees centipedes in their home, it's a sign that there's usually another bug issue going on. “Centipedes are predators, so if there are ants, silverfish, roaches, even little spiders, they'll stick around because they've basically got an unlimited food source,” says licensed pest control operator Sean Hearn.

How to Safely Eliminate Centipedes

There are a number of non-toxic solutions to eliminate centipedes in the home. “For natural elimination, diatomaceous earth along baseboards and in corners works well,” says Kyle Turner, a pest expert and the founder, president, and CEO of Pro Active Pest Control. It damages their exoskeleton and dehydrates them without any harmful chemicals, he explains.

Cedar oil spray is another option they actively avoid. “Sticky traps placed along walls give you a sense of how active the population is, and catch them without anything toxic,” Turner says. (Use sticky traps judiciously and dispose of them in a way that they won't harm other wildlife down the road.)

However, you also want to examine your environment. “Fix any leaks you find around your home, drying out damp areas,” Hearn says. “It might even be worth running a dehumidifier if needed. A lot of people really overlook how much humidity alone can attract pests.” 

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Preventative Strategies

The best way to discourage centipedes from entering your home in the first place is to eliminate moisture and food sources. “Use a dehumidifier in damp areas, like the basement, to lower the moisture content in the air,” Hodges says. “Take steps to eliminate other pests they prey on, including spiders, cockroaches, silverfish, and moths.”

Yard maintenance also plays a major role, and Jeff Schumacher, pest control expert and second-generation owner of All-Safe Pest & Termite, offers these tips for warding off centipedes and preventing their return:

• Keep your lawn cut short and don't overwater.
• Remove decaying pieces of wood from your property, like fallen trees, stumps, and piles of leaves.
• Clean out your gutters regularly.
• Trim bushes and other greenery away from your house.
• If you need help, call your local pest control company for a professional assessment.

“The best method is prevention,” says Schumacher. “But if you already have centipedes and need to get rid of them, focus on addressing what is attracting them in the first place.”