What to do about centipedes in your home

Centipedes often surprise homeowners in the Miami Valley because they move quickly and prefer dark, damp places inside the home. Seeing one race across the floor or crawl out from under a baseboard can be unsettling, and repeated sightings usually mean there is a moisture issue somewhere in the house. Centipedes are common throughout southwestern Ohio, and once they find a humid environment with steady access to other small insects, they settle in and multiply. Understanding the risks they bring, how they behave locally, and the signs of an active infestation helps you decide when it is time to take action.

The harm and risk centipedes cause indoors

Centipedes are predators that feed on other insects such as spiders, silverfish, cockroaches, and ants. While they do not cause structural damage and they do not contaminate food, they create a clear quality of life concern. Their presence signals that your home has enough moisture and other insects to support them. This often means there is an underlying pest problem or a humidity issue that needs attention.

Centipedes can bite, although they rarely do. The bite typically feels similar to a bee sting and may cause mild swelling or irritation. For children, pets, or individuals with sensitivities, the bite can be more uncomfortable. The main concern for most homeowners is the stress and discomfort that comes from seeing fast moving centipedes at night or in damp parts of the home. Their long legs and sudden bursts of movement can be particularly alarming, especially in bedrooms and bathrooms.

Centipede behavior patterns in the Miami Valley

Centipedes thrive in places with consistent moisture. In southwestern Ohio, this means basements, crawl spaces, utility rooms, laundry areas, and bathrooms are the most common locations for activity. Homes in older neighborhoods, houses with poor drainage, and properties with high water tables often experience more centipede problems.

Centipede activity increases from spring through fall, when humidity levels in the Miami Valley are naturally higher. During rainy periods, they may move indoors to escape saturated soil. Once they find conditions they like, they hide in cracks, behind stored items, under carpet edges, and inside wall voids. Centipedes are nocturnal, which means they stay hidden during the day and become active at night. Homeowners often notice them darting across floors when a light is turned on suddenly.

If there are other insects in the home, centipedes remain active all year. Homes with ongoing ant, spider, or moisture insect issues may see centipedes steadily through winter as well.

Signs that centipedes have established themselves

A single centipede sighting does not necessarily mean you have an infestation, but repeated sightings are a strong warning that conditions inside your home are supporting them. Seeing centipedes in multiple rooms, especially bathrooms or basements, indicates that moisture levels are high enough for them to thrive.

Finding them in sinks, tubs, floor drains, or laundry areas is common because they seek out damp surfaces. If you notice other insects such as spiders or silverfish at the same time, it usually means the centipedes have a reliable food source. This combination almost always leads to increasing activity unless treated.

When you should take action

You should take action when you begin seeing centipedes regularly or when you notice a combination of centipedes and other moisture loving insects. Store bought sprays provide only short term relief because centipedes hide deeply in cracks and wall voids where sprays cannot reach. Treating the problem effectively requires addressing the moisture conditions and eliminating the insect populations that centipedes feed on.

Ignoring early signs often leads to more sightings, especially in humid months. Centipedes reproduce quickly when conditions are ideal, and a few individuals can turn into a large population within a single season.

The right next step

If you are seeing centipedes in your home, the best step is to contact Midwest Pest and Wildlife Control. We identify what is attracting them, reduce the insect populations they feed on, and address the areas where moisture is allowing them to thrive. Professional treatment stops the cycle and restores a sense of comfort in your home by keeping centipedes and other unwanted pests out of your living spaces.