Keeping Centipedes & Millipedes Out Of Your West Chester Home
June 25, 2021
Centipedes and millipedes are two pests in West Chester, Pennsylvania that often get mistaken for one another. They both have many pairs of legs and worm-like bodies, and they can be disturbing to encounter if they get into your home.

However, while they do have some similarities, especially when it comes to appearance, they are very different in multiple ways. First of all, centipedes have around 15-150 pairs of legs as well as claw-like appendages near their mouths. Their legs stick out at an angle from their bodies, and they range in color from yellow to dark brown.
Millipedes on the other hand can have up to 300 pairs of legs that are more tucked under their bodies, and they also have two pairs of legs for each body segment while centipedes only have one. They are usually red, black, or brown.
Are Centipedes And Millipedes Dangerous?
The other key difference is that centipedes are actually a carnivorous species and millipedes are not, but both of these species are considered nuisance pests. They also share a few things in common when it comes to behavior as they are both attracted to homes with excess humidity and decaying plant matter.
While centipedes do eat other insects as prey, they don’t bite or hurt humans. Millipedes can occasionally cause a mild rash in some people if they are in contact with the skin, but this isn’t a real concern. It’s also rather rare for this to happen. It’s worth noting that neither centipedes nor millipedes pose any health risks to pets. They also don’t cause any significant property damage.
Centipede And Millipede Prevention Tips
Since they are quite harmless overall, the main concern with these pests is that they are gross to have around your property. They are unsightly and even a bit disturbing to look out with those creepy-crawly legs all over the place, and they aren’t welcome in most homes.
There are some steps you can take to keep both centipedes and millipedes out since they enter properties for similar reasons and in the same ways. Here are the most effective centipede and millipede preventive measures you can follow:
- Remove decaying plant matter from your property such as leaf piles, dead wood, and grass clippings.
- Reduce excess moisture by repairing any leaky pipes or faucets and using dehumidifiers in problem rooms if necessary.
- Also, make sure that crawl spaces and attics are well-ventilated.
- Store firewood at least 30 feet away from the exterior of your home and make sure that it is stacked neatly in a dry area.
How To Remove Current Infestations
If you’re already dealing with centipedes or millipedes around your West Chester home, the easiest and most effective way to remove them is with help from Masters Touch Pest Solutions. Our residential pest control programs will get rid of these strange bugs in no time, and we will also ensure that you don’t deal with them again in the future.
As a family-owned and operated company for nearly 30 years, we are committed to providing affordable and exceptional pest control, and we even offer free estimates. Give us a call today at 610-624-8614 or reach out to us online to get started.
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