OCCASIONAL INVADERS

House Centipedes in Ontario

House centipede identification and moisture-focused prevention for basements and bathrooms.

House centipede with long banded legs, Scutigera coleoptrata
Actual reference photo: Scutigera coleoptrata. Kevincollins123 / Wikimedia Commons — source and licence.
IDENTIFICATION

What house centipedes look like

House centipedes have a flattened body with many very long legs and move rapidly. Their appearance is distinctive and often causes concern when one runs across a wall or floor.

HABITAT & BEHAVIOUR

Where activity develops

They favour damp, protected areas and feed on other small arthropods. Repeated activity can point to moisture and available insect prey.

VISIBLE EVIDENCE

Signs worth documenting.

01

Fast movement on basement walls

02

Sightings near drains or bathrooms

03

Repeated activity in humid rooms

PREVENTION

Make the property less favourable.

Prevention depends on correct identification and the conditions supporting activity. These steps are a practical starting point.

Reduce basement humiditySeal gaps around lower-level entriesAddress the insects that provide prey

Identification before treatment

Similar-looking pests can require very different responses. Avoid applying a product until the pest, location and permitted label directions are clear.

Serving Eastern Ontario

Emerald Pest Control serves Belleville, Kingston, Trenton, Napanee, Brighton, Stirling, Picton, Quinte West and surrounding communities.

LOCAL PEST HELP

Not sure whether it is house centipedes?

Send a clear photo and tell us where it was found. We can help confirm the pest and discuss appropriate next steps.

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