How To Get Rid Of Centipedes In House
Centipedes in the house can be startling: long, fast-moving, and often appearing in bathrooms, basements, or closets. If you’re asking how to get rid of centipedes in house, you’re not alone. I’ve dealt with them many times as a gardener and homeowner, and over the years I’ve developed a practical, humane, and effective routine that minimizes encounters and keeps these critters outside where they belong.
Know your enemy: are they centipedes or millipedes?
Before taking action, it helps to identify the pest. Centipedes are flat, fast, and have one pair of legs per body segment. Millipedes are slower, rounder, and have two pairs of legs per segment. Centipedes are predators that hunt insects; if you see centipedes inside, it often means a food source and suitable habitat are attracting them.
Quick mindset: prevention beats quick fixes
I always tell people: “If you want fewer centipedes inside, make your house boring to them.” They seek moisture, shelter, and prey. Remove those three things and you’ll see far fewer visitors. The methods below combine exclusion, habitat modification, and targeted controls so you get long-lasting results rather than temporary relief.
Practical steps to get rid of centipedes in house
Reduce moisture
- Use a dehumidifier in basements and damp rooms. Centipedes love humidity, and bringing relative humidity below 50% makes the space less hospitable.
- Fix leaks promptly — plumbing drips, roof leaks, and poor drainage under foundations are invitations.
- Improve ventilation: run exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, and consider a continuous trickle fan for closed crawl spaces.
Seal entry points
- Inspect and seal gaps around windows, doors, vents, and the foundation. Use silicone caulk for small cracks and expanding foam for larger voids.
- Replace torn window screens and fit door sweeps on exterior doors to block nighttime explorers.
- Pay special attention to utility entry points where cables and pipes pass through walls.
Declutter and remove hiding spots
- Keep boxes and clothing off the floor, especially in basements and closets.
- Move woodpiles, compost, and mulch away from the house; store firewood elevated and dry, at least 20 feet from the foundation if possible.
- Trim vegetation away from siding and avoid heavy mulch directly against the foundation.
Reduce prey and food sources
Centipedes chase insects like silverfish, spiders, and roaches. Cut down on those pests and centipedes follow.
- Seal food in airtight containers and manage crumbs.
- Address other pest problems with traps or appropriate insecticides so centipedes don’t find an easy meal indoors.
Direct removal and trapping
- Sticky traps work well in basements, closets, and along wall edges. Place them where you’ve seen centipedes travel.
- Use a jar-and-card method for single centipedes: trap it under a jar and slip a card underneath, then release it outside if you prefer humane removal.
- If you’re squeamish, wear gloves and use long tweezers or a vacuum with a hose attachment — dispose of the bagged contents promptly.
Natural and non-chemical options
- Diatomaceous earth sprinkled in crevices and along baseboards can desiccate crawling arthropods; use food-grade DE and keep it dry.
- Essential oils like peppermint or tea tree are sometimes touted as repellents. They may help for light deterring but aren’t a guaranteed solution for larger problems.
When and how to use chemical controls
I try to avoid spraying inside living spaces, but for persistent infestations targeted treatments work. Use labeled perimeter insecticides or insecticidal dusts in voids and beneath sills. Pyrethroid sprays can reduce harborage around foundations.
- Always follow label directions and consider pet and child safety.
- Consider professional pest control for severe or recurring infestations — pros can apply dusts in wall voids and perform a thorough perimeter treatment.
Prevention routine that really worked for me
Here’s what I did when centipedes kept showing up in my basement for a couple of years:
- Installed a dehumidifier and kept humidity below 45 percent.
- Sealed foundation cracks and installed door sweeps on the basement doors.
- Moved my compost and woodpile 30 feet away and raised firewood on a pallet.
- Placed sticky traps along the foundation walls and under the stairs.
- Cleared the clutter and kept closets off the floor.
It took a season, but the number of centipedes dropped dramatically. My basement went from being a nightly surprise to almost centipede-free.
Safety and environmental tips
- Consider non-lethal removal when possible; centipedes actually eat other pests and can be beneficial outside.
- If using pesticides, choose targeted treatments and avoid broadcast spraying inside living areas.
- Protect pets by keeping them away from treated zones and following product safety intervals.
“Make your house boring to centipedes. Reduce moisture, seal gaps, and remove their food and hiding places — that’s the formula that works in my experience.”
When to call a professional
If centipedes remain despite your best efforts, or if you see dozens regularly, it’s time to call a licensed pest control professional. They can diagnose underlying issues you might not see — like hidden moisture sources, structural gaps, or heavy prey populations — and apply safe, effective treatments.
Final thoughts
Getting rid of centipedes in house is usually a matter of persistence and sensible home maintenance. Address moisture, seal entry points, declutter, and reduce the insects they eat. For most homeowners, a combination of these strategies will produce steady, long-term results. If you want peace of mind, try the steps outlined above and consider a professional assessment if the problem persists. I’ve used this approach in my own home and garden, and it brought calm and dry spaces back to life — with far fewer surprise visitors.
