Homemade Treatments to Get Rid of Centipedes

My friend Jody works in an older house that was transformed into business offices and apartments. Though it wasn’t in her job description, one of the tasks she performed everyday was to stomp centipedes. The house was full of them. She tried wiping out the millipede population too with her size 8’s too, but Jody soon found out how bad they smell when they’re smushed. If your home is overrun by these pests, use these homemade treatments to get rid of centipedes:

There are numerous species of centipedes. The most common centipedes- the ones you’re most likely to find around your home- have long, flat bodies that are tannish in color. They have many legs which enable them to scoot across the floor quickly.

Centipedes are actually beneficial because they feast on bugs like spiders and cockroaches. But, centipedes have fangs they can bite humans with. If you’re allergic to their venom, the affected area can become red, swollen and painful. So you’re going to want to find out about some homemade treatments to get rid of centipedes.

If your house is damp, then it’s probably a home to many other bugs besides centipedes. Centipedes are naturally attracted to places where it can find plenty of food, namely bugs. They’re also attracted to places that are moist.

The first homemade treatment to get rid of centipedes is to remove piles of grass clippings, leaves, old logs, et cetera out of your yard and away from your house. Places like these attract bugs like crazy.

Also, inspect the gutters and downspouts and make sure they are doing their job properly by taking rain water, melted snow, et cetera, away from the foundation of your house.

Next, place a dehumidifier or two in your basement if you have a dampness problem down there. There are many products on the market you can use to seal cracks or holes in the walls or floor that are letting water seep in. Just visit your local hardware or home supply store to find the proper product you need.

Also, seal up any cracks or holes, especially around doors and windows where centipedes can enter your house.

You’ll also need to pick up any laundry, or other piles of items that are on your basement floor. Centipedes, as well as other bugs, love to hide in piles of items left on the floor.

If the upstairs of your home is damp, you’ll need to place one or two dehumidifiers there too. A clean, dry yard and a clutter-free basement, along with a dry home, will make centipedes less attracted to your abode.

How can you tell if your home is damp? Even if you don’t see water in your basement, it could still have a moisture problem. The best way to find out is to buy a hygrometer. You can find one at your local Wal-Mart or home improvement store for $15 to $20 bucks.

A hygrometer is a device that can measure the amount of humidity in your home. It has a gauge that will easily tell you if the air is too moist.