Tired of Centipedes in Your Bathroom? Here's What You Can Do

Centipedes are pests that often scare people due to their strange appearance, fast movements, and their ability to bite. Not just normal bite, but poisonous ones (which is true to some extent)! If you've encountered a centipede in your bathroom or home, you're not alone. In this guide, we'll show you how to get rid of centipedes and prevent them from coming back.

Things to Know About Centipedes

Centipedes are long-bodied arthropods with many pairs of legs. They’re often confused with millipedes due to their similar appearance. However, the key difference is in the number of legs—centipedes have one pair of legs per body segment, while millipedes have two.

Unlike millipedes which are usually harmless, centipedes prey on other pests like cockroaches, silverfish, and spiders. Their bites are certainly painful. Luckily, the centipedes we encounter here in urban areas of Johor Bahru aren't the giant varieties found in forests or deserts, so their bites, though unpleasant, usually cause only mild irritation rather than intense pain.

What Attracts Centipedes?

Centipedes are predators, and they’re primarily attracted by other insects that they can feed on. They love dark, moist, and cool places, which is why they tend to hide in bathrooms and areas with water sources.

Where Do Centipedes Hide?

Centipedes prefer hiding in dark, cool, and moist areas. Common hiding spots indoors include under broken tiles, wall cracks in bathrooms, around drains, and underneath floor mats. Outdoors, you might find them under flower pots, bricks, logs, stones, and tree barks.

How to Get Rid of Centipedes

In most cases, centipedes are occasional intruders. The infestations are not severe and can be managed through prevention and cleanup. But if you do spot one, there are a few simple methods to handle them.

Keep Your Home Clean and Dry

Centipedes thrive in areas with high moisture. Fix leaking pipes, drainage issues, and any water seepage promptly. The drier you keep your home, the less attractive it will be to centipedes.

In addition, reducing clutter helps minimize potential hiding spots. A tidy home makes it easier to spot and deal with any pests.

Install Anti-Pest Drain Cover

Centipedes often come through drains. Consider installing an anti-pest drain cover in your bathroom to stop them from entering while still allowing water to flow.

Keep Your Home Pest-Free

Centipedes are attracted by their prey, such as cockroaches and other pests. By keeping your home pest-free, there is no motivation for centipedes to stay.

Physical Removal

If you spot a centipede, you can simply crush it using a hard object like a bucket or even your smartphone. Centipedes are quick movers, so this may take a bit of effort.

Vacuuming

You can use vacuums to remove centipedes. If your vacuum has a sealed nozzle or a bag, it can help contain the centipedes without them escaping. However, keep in mind that they are fast movers, so this method might not always be effective.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic, natural powder that kills centipedes by damaging their exoskeletons and causing dehydration. Apply it in areas where you’ve seen centipedes, but avoid using it in wet areas like bathrooms or drains, as it only works when dry.

Boric Acid

Boric acid can be dusted on the centipedes, or at places with centipede activities to kill them. It is slow acting and works best when dry, which means it is not suitable for use in bathroom.

What to Do If You’re Bitten by a Centipede

Centipede bites are usually not severe. They can cause minor swelling or irritation but typically don’t require medical attention. Larger outdoor species may deliver a stronger bite, which can last longer. If you experience symptoms like nausea or difficulty breathing after being bitten, seek medical help immediately.

Final Thoughts

Centipedes are often more of a nuisance than a serious pest problem. With the right preventive measures and a bit of cleanup, you can keep them out of your home. Following these simple steps will help ensure that your bathroom and other areas remain centipede-free.