Centipedes
Centipedes can cause quite a fright when you see one scuttle across your floor. The combination of a worm-like body and multiple sets of legs is enough to alarm just about anyone who happens to see a centipede. To protect your home or business in New Jersey, from centipedes you need to learn about the behavior of this pest, take steps for prevention, and find effective treatment options should an infestation occur.
What are Centipedes?
Centipedes are arthropod creatures that have an exoskeleton, segmented bodies, and jointed legs. These pests have bodies that are elongated and resemble a worm with legs. Centipedes are most active at night and typically spend most of their time out of view. Centipedes thrive in damp, humid areas. You are likely to see them in areas of your home or business that are often exposed to moisture such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, or basements.
How Do I Identify Centipedes?
Centipedes have long, flat bodies that are separated into segments. Each segment contains one pair of legs with a final pair of legs trailing behind the body. The legs of centipedes are easy to see which is an element that can help you tell the difference between a centipede and a millipede. Centipedes have long antennae which they use to help locate their prey. The coloring of centipedes ranges from yellow to dark brown.
How Do I Get Centipedes?
Exterminators explain centipedes are typically found in areas with high moisture. If there are damp areas in or around your house or business in New Jersey, they may be drawing centipedes inside. Damp areas where centipedes may spend their time include under leaky sinks, in bathrooms, and in basement level spaces. Once inside, centipedes may stick around for a while. Centipedes commonly live for more than a year and have been known to live up to six years.
What are the Effects of Centipedes In and Around My Home or Business?
Centipedes are typically considered a nuisance pest, but they do have the ability to bite if handled roughly. Pest control experts state these pests have venom in their jaws which can cause a reaction in humans that is like a bee sting. Centipedes move quickly and can look quite threatening! The emotional impact of having a centipede infestation in your home or business is reason enough to take centipede control measures.
How Do I Prevent Centipedes?
An important part of preventing centipedes is repairing or cleaning any areas around your home where moisture builds up. Common problem areas include basements, underneath sinks with leaks, and at entrances where moist plant debris is present. If you want to get rid of centipedes and keep them from returning, schedule a pest control service from the experts at Tapout Pest Control
Millipedes
Even though millipedes are not able to bite or sting, they can still present significant issues for homeowners and business owners in the New Jersey, area. These invasive pests can emit a smelly and irritation-causing fluid and can stain surfaces they travel on. They can also be toxic to pets as millipedes have defensive sprays that can cause an allergic reaction. With a lifespan that can reach up to 10 years, millipedes will not go away from your home or business on its own. Property owners need professional pest control and to control and prevent millipedes.
To protect your home or business from millipedes, you need to learn about the behavior of this pest, take steps for prevention, and find effective treatment options should an infestation occur.
What Are Millipedes?
A millipede is a small, worm-like creature that’s part of the arthropod group. These slow-moving creatures inhabit all areas of the globe (except Antarctica) including New Jersey. You will typically find millipedes along the forest floor or just below the surface of your yards and landscaping. During certain times of the year and while mating, millipedes have been known to find their way into homes and businesses causing issues requiring professional pest control. Millipedes are primarily classified as detritivores and omnivores. Detritivores eat organic waste, such as dead trees, plants, or animals. Omnivores have the same diet as detritivores with the addition of live plants.
How Do I Identify Millipedes?
Identifying millipedes is easy as these pests do not resemble the look of many others in the New Jersey area. Millipedes have long cylindrical bodies that are segmented with a pair of legs attached to each segment. Most millipedes have between 30 and 90 pairs of legs stretching the length of their bodies. Most millipedes are one to two inches in length and black or brown. Millipedes do resemble centipedes; however, they have two pairs of legs per segment instead of one pair. Centipedes are also considerably faster than the slow-moving millipedes.
How Do I Get Millipedes?
Unfortunately, millipedes can choose to inhabit your home or business property without much input from you. These nuisance pests look for cool, damp ground like flower beds, gardens, leaf piles, mulch beds, or similar environments. Year-round, but especially during the fall, spring, and summer season, millipedes may migrate into structures in great numbers. Pest control experts at Tapout state unsecured areas of your structures and property can be exploited by these pests in search of ideal conditions.
How Long Do Millipedes Live?
The lifespan of millipedes can be anywhere from a few weeks up to a decade depending on the type of millipede and the conditions of their environment. Without optimal cool, damp conditions and extensive food sources, millipedes are believed to only live for a few weeks.
What Are the Effects of Millipedes In and Around My Home or Business?
While millipedes are not able to bite or sting like some nuisance pests, they are unwelcome guests in most homes and businesses. Exterminators explain millipedes excrete a smelly fluid that can be irritable to the skin and stain surfaces. This fluid is not toxic to humans, but it can be toxic to animals and pets.
The main diet of millipedes is decaying wood and plant material. However, if deprived of optimal sources, these creatures will consume living plants or decomposing animals to satiate their palette.
How Do I Prevent Millipedes?
Millipede prevention with DIY treatments can be a challenge as these slow-moving pests are creative with gaining access to homes and businesses. Pest control experts at Tapout Pest Control are trained in minimally invasive techniques to remove an existing infestation and provide ongoing millipede control. Certified pest management professionals from Tapout Pest Control will perform a detailed inspection of your home or business to find millipede entry points and will create a millipede control treatment plan specifically for your home or business.