Seeing a long, multi-legged insect scurrying around your home can be quite shocking, no matter if you think it is a centipede or millipede. But when you call for a pest control service in Tampa from Nvirotect Pest Control Services, your Pest Control Technician will take time to find out which pest it really is. While they may look similar at first glance, these pests are quite different in behavior, habitat, and the way they should be managed. Taking time to understand the differences between millipedes and centipedes is the first step in protecting your home from these arthropods.
Identifying Millipedes vs. Centipedes
Millipedes have long, cylindrical bodies with two pairs of legs per body segment. Their legs are short and move in a wave-like pattern as they crawl. They are typically brown or black, slow movers, and curl into a tight spiral when disturbed.
Centipedes, on the other hand, have flatter bodies with just one pair of legs per segment. Their legs are much longer and extend outward, allowing them to be faster and more agile. Often yellowish-brown with darker stripes, centipedes are predators and can even cause a painful bite if threatened.
Habits and Behaviors
Millipedes are primarily scavengers. They feed on decaying plant matter and thrive in moist environments, such as gardens, mulch beds, and under leaves. While they do not bite or sting, they can become a nuisance indoors, especially during heavy rains and hurricane season, when they can seek shelter in homes across Florida.
On the other hand, centipedes are carnivorous hunters. They prey on insects, spiders, and other small arthropods. While their presence can indicate other pest activity in your home, their venomous bite, even though it is rarely dangerous to humans, can cause pain and swelling. Centipedes prefer dark, damp areas around kitchens and bathrooms, as well as staying under rocks or logs outside.
Where They Can Be Found In and Around the Home
In Florida, both millipedes and centipedes are common around homes and businesses. Millipedes are often found outdoors in soil, mulch, and landscaping features but may wander inside in large numbers. Centipedes, because they hunt for food, are more likely to be spotted indoors where other pests are present, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or storage areas.
Proper Treatment and Prevention
The best approach to controlling millipedes and centipedes is to reduce the conditions that attract them. Keeping areas dry, sealing entry points, and removing organic debris from around your home are effective first steps. Since both pests thrive in damp environments, one of the first steps to take is to make sure that your home has proper ventilation and moisture control.
At Nvirotect Pest Control Services, we use environmentally responsible Professional Tampa green pest control treatments to address millipedes and centipedes in your home while minimizing impact on your family, pets, and the environment. Whether you are dealing with a few unwanted visitors or a recurring presence, our team will work with you to develop tailored solutions to keep your home protected year-round.
Protect Your Home with Nvirotect Pest Control Services
Knowing the difference between millipedes and centipedes makes it easier to identify the right treatment, but professional pest control service in Tampa helps to ensure the problem is controlled.
If you are dealing with millipedes or centipedes in your home, contact Nvirotect Pest Control Services today for expert inspection and green pest control in Tampa. For more information, call our office at 813.968.7031 or complete our contact request form for a competitive quote.
