Centipedes are a species of small centipedes that often live in residential buildings, causing people to be shocked and confused by their appearance. This is unpleasant, such an insect causes much more disgust and disgust than even cockroaches. Of course, it is very difficult to find a person who can live under the same roof with such a pest. Therefore, anyone who is faced with this situation will sooner or later wonder how to get rid of centipedes in the house. We will provide detailed information about this in our article.
general description
Externally, scolopendra looks like a worm, which has many limbs. Some people call these insects centipedes, but it should be understood that they are completely different types of insects. The first pair of legs of a centipede performs the function of claws, which the individual uses to capture prey. The limbs have spines soaked in poison. The length of one individual can be up to 10 cm, for example, the Crimean centipede has this size. How to get rid of this insect in the house?
Before answering the question, you should pay attention to the fact that centipedes love to live in damp and warm places, from which they go in search of food only at nightfall. In the wild, these insects live in piles of fallen leaves, construction debris and other similar places. Creeping individuals also look for the same shelters in living quarters; most often they settle in the bathroom, kitchen or toilet. Scolopendras get there through open windows and doors, as well as through cracks and crevices in sewer and ventilation systems.
Peculiarities
Externally, scolopendra resembles a worm, which has many developed limbs, just like a centipede. Moreover, the first pair of legs performs the function of pincers, which the insect uses to capture prey. At the end of each leg there are spikes soaked in poison. The body length of individuals can reach up to 10 cm. The color of the body, divided into segments, varies from light to brown-black tones.
The habitat of centipedes is warm, damp places, from which they go out in search of food only in the dark. Mown grass, a pile of fallen leaves or construction debris are favorite places for centipedes to accumulate.
On a note!
Scolopendras also look for similar shelters in the house, preferring damp places: the bathroom, toilet or kitchen. Insects enter through open doors and windows, as well as through cracks and crevices in ventilation and sewer systems.
What attracts scolopendra?
Speaking about how to get rid of scolopendra in the house, you should also figure out what exactly attracts these insects. Thanks to this, you can avoid such a problem in the future. The following conditions are favorable for the appearance of centipedes in a residential area:
- Excessive indoor humidity. This is the most important factor in the appearance of scolopendra in the house.
- Availability of food. This should include other domestic insects that live in living quarters.
- Comfortable air temperature for scolopendra living.
Prevention measures
In order not to attract scolopendras into your home, you must not create a favorable environment for them. For preventive purposes it is necessary:
- Clean up the area, getting rid of trash, fallen leaves, and cut branches. Place building materials and firewood in utility rooms.
- Destroy small insects - a nutritional source for centipedes. Any universal insecticide approved for use in residential premises will do.
- Eliminate cluttered corners, especially if they are located in dark places with high humidity. Clear out closets, storage areas in bathrooms and kitchens.
- Ventilate the bathroom more often and eliminate minor leaks. In conditions of increased dry air, millipedes quickly die.
- Seal the cracks through which scolopendras can enter the home with sealant. Pay special attention to windows, doors, cable openings, and siding cracks.
- Cover ventilation openings with fine-mesh mesh and protect windows with mosquito nets.
Preventive actions
In order to never wonder about how to get rid of scolopendra in the house, it is necessary to take preventive measures.
- Fighting moisture. The fact is that centipedes are very afraid of lack of humidity. Drying the room is considered the most global and simplest method, since where it is dry, light and clean, insects will not grow. That is why it is necessary to regularly ventilate your apartment. You should also eliminate all plumbing breakdowns and stagnant moisture under the bathtub or sink.
- Insulation. Another important rule is to seal small gaps, cracks, cracks, and voids through which centipedes can enter the house.
- Window protection. It is best to protect windows with mosquito nets. After all, they are most often the main route for insects to enter the house.
- Fight against other domestic insects, which include ants, fleas, cockroaches, as they act as food for scolopendra.
Cleaning the area around the house from various deposits of debris, as well as from fallen leaves, which can serve as a shelter for centipedes.
How to get rid of scolopendra in the house?
There is no need to try to get rid of an unpleasant insect using a slipper or other improvised means. This is quite difficult to do, because the body of the centipede is covered with a very dense shell. It is also necessary to take into account the evasiveness of the insect, which makes it very difficult to hit it.
How to get rid of scolopendra in a private house? The fastest way would be to catch it with your hands, a dustpan or brush, and then take it outside, away from your home. This method is only relevant if you notice only one pest in your home. But how to get rid of scolopendras in an apartment if there are many of them? To do this, you should use the most effective and proven methods.
What do scolopendras look like?
In appearance, centipedes resemble long worms. Color depends on habitat. Usually brown-golden in color, but black with colored patches throughout the body are also found.
The head is flat with two compound eyes. The organs of vision are well developed and allow her to easily navigate in space. There are two antennae on the head. The first pair of legs during evolution turned into jaws that contain poisonous glands.
The body consists of segments held together by movable membranes. Each body segment has its own pair of legs. There are also venom glands at the tips of each limb. Crawling over the body, it leaves a burning trail. The entire body and head of the animal are covered with an exoskeleton.
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Chemicals
How to get rid of scolopendra in a private house or apartment? Chemical agents are considered the most effective in the fight against insects. Most often, broad-spectrum drugs are used, which are designed to destroy various harmful insects. This should include:
- "Medilis Cyper".
- "Dichlorvos".
- "Raid".
- Starex.
- Henkel Kombat.
Before getting rid of scolopendra using insecticidal preparations, you need to put on personal protective equipment: rubber gloves, a respirator, and the most closed clothing possible.
Kinds
There are several hundred different species of centipedes. What unites them is their anatomical structure and a large number of legs. Many species are widely known.
Common flycatcher, or scutigera. The gray-yellow centipede is 4-6 cm long. It lives in Europe, in the southern regions of Russia, and in Kazakhstan. Often found in dry foliage. The cold snap forces people to seek refuge in people's homes - it penetrates into basements, through ventilation pipes into toilets and bathrooms.
It is not capable of biting through human skin, so the maximum harm from it is redness and slight swelling at the site of the bite. An unexpected guest in an apartment is usually picked up with a scoop and sent out the window.
Crimean scolopendra. It lives in Africa, Mediterranean countries, and Crimea. The second name is ringed. The body reaches 15 cm in length. An agile predator is able to cope with prey that is slightly smaller in size, for example, lizards. Strong jaws full of poison. On the human body after movement it leaves burns in the form of red spots from toxic paws.
Giant scolopendra. The name emphasizes the largest size among similar creatures - the body of the centipede grows up to 30 cm, consists of 22-23 segments. Record-breaking individuals reach a length of 50 cm.
The chitinous covering is dark red or brown, the legs are bright yellow. The predator feeds on insects, eats toads, mice, and sometimes birds. An encounter with a giant scolopendra is dangerous.
The venom of the giant centipede does not lead to death in humans, but causes extensive swelling, severe pain, and fever. Scolopendra lives in the hot tropics in the north-west of South America, on island territories.
Chinese redhead. What distinguishes the scolopendra is its ability to live in a community with its own kind, unlike most other solitary species. In Chinese medicine, red centipedes are used to treat skin diseases.
Californian scolopendra. The peculiarity of the species is its preference for arid areas, although most relatives strive for humid environments. The bite is poisonous, causing inflammation and severe skin irritation for several hours.
Scolopendra Lucas. Found in southern Europe. The centipede has a special heart-shaped head. The remaining characteristics are similar to those of other relatives.
Blind centipedes. Small poisonous creatures, only 15-40 mm in length. No eyes. The head has a pair of antennae, jaws and maxillae. They cannot cause much harm, but when crushed, arthropods are especially toxic. A bird that pecks at such a centipede will be poisoned.
Traditional methods
You can also fight the pest using folk remedies. For these purposes, some people take the well-known boric acid, which is used in the fight against many household insects. However, it is worth paying attention to the fact that scolopendra is considered a predator, so it cannot be said with certainty that boron powder will attract its attention. If scolopendra gets into the apartment through the ventilation, then the grate must be treated with boric acid.
Another unusual folk method of fighting insects is the preparation of food baits based on chemicals. For example, if you have Prussians at home, you can make balls to kill cockroaches. When a scolopendra eats poisoned food, it itself will die.
Specialized services
If there are a large number of scolopendras in your living space, then it is best to seek help from a specialized service, which employs employees who use professional means to solve this problem. It should be noted that this method of insect control is the most effective at the moment. However, this service costs a lot of money.
Precautionary measures
To avoid being bitten by this insect, you need to carefully inspect your bed before going to bed. You should pay attention to the fact that small centipedes can hide even in clothes, so you need to shake things out each time before putting them on.
As mentioned earlier, if you use chemicals yourself, you must use personal protective equipment. After you kill the insects, you should also ventilate the living space and wipe the surfaces in the house with a damp cloth.
