Western Exterminators - Pest Control Services California, Arizona, Nevada

	Common name:	Latin name:	Class:	Order:	Family:
	Centipede	Various scientific names	Chilopoda	Various	Various

	Size:
	Adults are about 1/8 to 6 in (4-152 mm) long.
	Characteristics:
	Long, narrow, nearly always flattened, worm-like bodies of many segments. Each segment has one pair of legs. "Centi-" means 100, and "-pede" refers to legs, but Centipedes may actually have 15-177 legs. The first pair forms claw-like poison fangs; the last pair project backwards. First instars (stages) have only 4 segments, but with each molt more segments are added.
	Color:
	Usually yellowish to dark brown, sometimes with darker stripes or marks.
	Habitat:
	Damp, dark, secluded places, such as under boards, stones, piles of leaves or litter, under logs, or under bark and in crevices in damp soil. Indoors: found in moist basements or closets.
	Food:
	Small insects, spiders, and sometimes plants. Most of the liquid they require comes from their prey.
	Biology:
	Active at night (nocturnal). Females of one type of centipede produce 35 eggs over a period of days. Eggs are laid in or on the soil during the summer. Adults may live a year, and some up to 5-6 years.
	Damage:
	Outdoors: Beneficial because they help control other insects that are their prey. Indoors: Considered a nuisance. Some can also give a painful, though not deadly, bite.
	Invasion:
	All those feet are meant for walking; they may wander into a damp bathroom, closet, basement, or potted plant.
	Control:
	This insect is an ‘occasional invader’ into our homes or businesses. Control can be achieved by applications of residual materials around the exterior of the structure. To aid in the control of this insect, areas of high moisture should be addressed. Cleaning up accumulated leaves, debris and creating an 18” vegetation free zone around the foundation will aid in control. Check doors that may need weather stripping along the bottom to prevent entry of this pest. Inside areas may need to be treated, however, the source will be the exterior and control should be focused in that area. You can use a vacuum to remove insects found inside in lieu of a pesticide application. If you attempt to control these insects and make an application, be sure it is registered for the target pest/location. Control with applications of liquid residual pesticides, baits or dusts. Read the entire label prior to use. Follow all label directions, restrictions, and precautions.