How to Keep Centipedes Out of Your Bed

Pests cause billions of dollars in damage every year. Most of that is related to the decimation of crops by invasive insects as well as structural damage from termites.

Insects can spread diseases through bites and stings as well. They also can be a major nuisance, even if they do not pose any danger to human health.

When centipedes infiltrate homes, they look for dark places to hide. This is how they end up in your bed. The good news is that there are some proven ways to prevent this.

This article explains how to keep centipedes out of your bed and your home. It lays out some DIY methods and lets you know when you should call an exterminator. Keep reading to learn more.

What Are Centipedes?

A lot of people assume that centipedes are insects, but that is incorrect. Centipedes are arthropods, which are invertebrates with jointed legs.

Insects are arthropods as well, but they have three sets of lets (or six total). Centipedes have between 15 and 191 pairs of legs.

Are Centipedes Dangerous?

In general, centipedes will try to flee from humans. However, they can attack if cornered or otherwise threatened in space.

Centipedes do not have teeth, so they technically do not bite. They do have two venomous pincers, called forcipules, just below their mouths that they use to kill their prey. Some species can use these to puncture the skin of humans or pets.

Centipede “bites” can lead to redness, swelling, and blisters. The skin around the area can itch or become numb. It also can cause headaches in some cases.

How to Keep Centipedes Out of Your Bed?

There are several approaches to keeping centipedes out of your bed. Here are some proven ones to consider. 

Address Humidity and Moisture

Centipedes prefer two environmental qualities: darkness and moisture. They can hide in very small spaces, so eradicating all dark spaces in your home is virtually impossible.

Addressing humidity levels in your home is much easier. Running a dehumidifier in your bedroom may be enough to dissuade the pests from venturing in. This goes for other areas, like basements, crawl spaces, and attics, where centipedes are likely to congregate.

Clean and Declutter

Cleaning – especially vacuuming – is an easy and effective way to come at a centipede infestation. This serves two potential purposes. The first is eliminating the bugs themselves, and the other is getting rid of fleas, bed bugs, and other insects that centipedes feed on.

While this does not help with basements, attics, or other dark places, you can also reduce the number of places centipedes can hide in a room. Removing clutter – including stacks of books and clothes hampers – can help a great deal. This may not keep centipedes out of your house, but it could help keep them out of your bedroom.

Seal Cracks

Eliminating access is another good way to stave off centipedes. The goal is not to render your home airtight but to make it so difficult to get in that centipedes look for other places to call home.

Eliminate Food Sources

Centipedes enter buildings for two main reasons. The main one is in search of a food source. Sometimes, centipedes can be driven inside by cold weather (the second reason), but they will not remain there if food is not available.

It is possible for them to live their entire lives inside if there are food sources available to them. They can subsist on other pests, including cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, and carpet beetles.

If you have a concurring pest problem, these insects could be serving as a bountiful food supply for centipedes. Eliminating this could be enough to help drive the arthropods away.

Use Natural Treatments

If you want to know how to keep centipedes out of your bed, adding natural repellants to your sheets is an excellent solution. Essential oils like cinnamon, peppermint, and most varieties of citrus will stop the pests in their tracks.

Simply add some to a wool dryer ball when you are drying your bed sheets. You can also find sprays with these essences that should be sufficient for keeping centipedes away.

You can also try the same approach with the exterior of your home. Target potential entryways around the foundation. This is an inexpensive endeavor, so it is worth a try.

Put Out Traps

Trapping centipedes is not a comprehensive or long-term solution, but it can help target particularly problematic areas. Peel-off sticky traps are an easy DIY centipede remediation tactic.

Place them under your bed or in closets near door cracks. These are an easy way to catch centipedes that might be scurrying about.

Call an Exterminator

All the other suggestions on this list can be extremely helpful, and you should implement them even if you do end up calling a pest control service. The pros will probably make some of the same recommendations.

The most effective way to address a recurring centipede problem though is through pest control services. There are a few reasons why.

First, since they do this every day, exterminators can identify potential problems that you may have overlooked. This can save you a lot of time and headache (not to mention unwelcomed night-time guests) trying to guess at solutions.

Next, pest control pros will know which pesticides are best, and how to deploy them. This will be much more effective than any DIY home remedy you can come up with.

Finally, most reputable pest control companies offer guarantees. If, for whatever reason, their initial approach does not solve the problem, they will come back and try again. This guarantee can save you money in the long run and give you the peace of mind that your bed will be free of centipedes.

Find Centipede Control Near You

Now that you know how to keep centipedes out of your bed, you can take preventative steps to control these pests. Remember that calling professional services is the quickest and most effective way to address your issue.

At Fast Action Pest Control, we understand the importance of having a pest-free environment. We offer a range of services, including centipede control, in both residential and commercial settings. Schedule your Free Inspection today!