What Attracts Centipedes and Millipedes?

When discussing what insects creep people out, the usual examples come up right away. People will talk about spiders, scorpions, stink bugs or anything with a stinger. Another insect that is brought up often is the centipede (and/or its cousin the millipede). People seem to be creeped out by all the moving legs.

There is good reason to be weary of centipedes, however. They have the ability to bite and are poisonous. They feed on other insects. To humans, the bite is on par with an average bee stink. The venom is not deadly and is only considered so if the person has an allergic reaction to the poison.

The millipede is not dangerous in any way. They feed on decaying plant matter. They are only truly a pest when they feed on the roots of plants that you are cultivating.

Both creatures may end up in your house seeking warmer shelter when it gets really cold out. There is actually one breed of centipede called “the house centipede” because it frequently makes your home its home. It is about 1-1.5 inches in length. It is known to be able to move pretty fast. They are most often seen in basements (where they have basements) or garages and sheds.

So, what makes them feel at home in your home? They need a few conditions to survive. They usually need it to be dark so they aren’t easily seen. They need some source of water. This could be a drip under the sink, or the drain pan under an AC or refrigerator. And of course they need other bugs to feed on.

The very best way to get rid of them is with a professional pest control agent (exterminator). They know how to treat in and around your house the kill and prevent all bugs, including the centipede.

Here is a good article about the difference between a centipede and a millipede.

In summation, the same thing attracts centipedes and millipedes to your house that attracts you to it. It is a protective force against the weather. And if it has food and water available, it is that much more enticing.