How to Get Rid of House Centipedes: 12 Proven Methods

House centipedes are fast, many-legged, and startling to encounter — but they are largely harmless to humans and actually beneficial, preying on spiders, cockroaches, and silverfish. The goal for most households is reducing populations and preventing entry rather than total elimination. This guide covers 12 methods for doing both.

Key Takeaways

• House centipedes are harmless to humans — their venom is too mild to affect adults in most circumstances
• Large numbers of centipedes indicate an underlying insect problem they are feeding on — address the prey to reduce the predator
• Reducing humidity is the most effective environmental control — centipedes require moist conditions to survive
• Sealing entry points prevents new centipedes from entering while other methods reduce the existing population

Quick Answer

Use a dehumidifier in damp basement and bathroom areas — centipedes cannot survive in low humidity. Apply diatomaceous earth along baseboards, under appliances, and in damp corners. Seal gaps around pipes, vents, and window frames. Vacuum any centipedes you see and empty the canister outside. Address any underlying insect problems that are providing centipedes with food.

Why You Have House Centipedes

House centipedes (Scutigera coleoptrata) live wherever there is sufficient moisture and prey. They need high humidity to survive and feed on spiders, cockroaches, silverfish, firebrats, flies, and other small insects. Finding centipedes regularly is a signal that your home has a moisture problem (damp basement, leaking pipes, poor ventilation) and that other insects are present in sufficient numbers to support them.

12 Methods to Get Rid of House Centipedes

Method 1: Reduce Humidity with a Dehumidifier

House centipedes are highly sensitive to low humidity — they lose moisture rapidly through their exoskeleton and cannot survive in environments below about 50% relative humidity. A dehumidifier in the basement, bathroom, or any consistently damp room makes the environment unsuitable. Target below 50% humidity. This is the single most effective environmental control measure.

Method 2: Fix Moisture Sources

• Repair all leaking pipes and taps
• Improve basement waterproofing if condensation or seepage is present
• Ensure bathroom ventilation fans are working properly and used during/after showers
• Clear gutters and ensure drainage directs water away from the foundation

Method 3: Diatomaceous Earth

Food-grade diatomaceous earth applied along baseboards, under bathroom and kitchen appliances, and in basement corners kills centipedes by physically damaging their exoskeleton. Apply a barely visible thin layer — centipedes avoid deep piles. Safe for pets and children in thin surface applications. Reapply if it gets wet or is cleaned away.

Method 4: Sticky Traps

Place sticky glue traps along baseboards and in corners where centipedes travel. Check after 24–48 hours — the number and location of catches identifies where centipede activity is highest. Use this information to guide where to apply DE and where to prioritise moisture reduction. Effective as a monitoring and reduction tool.

Method 5: Seal Entry Points

Centipedes enter through gaps around pipes, cracks in foundation walls, gaps at window frames, and under doors. Caulk all visible gaps around pipes and plumbing. Seal foundation cracks with mortar or cement. Install door sweeps on exterior doors. These entry point seals also prevent other insects that centipedes feed on from entering.

Method 6: Address Underlying Insect Problems

If you have significant centipede activity, you have enough spiders, cockroaches, or silverfish to support them. Identify and address the underlying prey population — fixing the food source reduces centipedes more effectively than targeting them directly. Check our guides on silverfish and cockroaches for relevant methods.

Method 7: Peppermint Oil Spray

Mix 15–20 drops of peppermint essential oil in 500ml of water with a few drops of dish soap. Spray along baseboards, around pipes, and in corners where centipedes are active. Reapply every 5–7 days. A deterrent rather than a killer — use alongside DE and moisture control for maximum effect.

Method 8: Declutter Damp Areas

Centipedes hide in undisturbed, damp spaces — boxes on the floor, piles of wood, stored items in damp basements. Remove clutter from basements and utility rooms. Store items in sealed plastic containers rather than cardboard boxes. Reduce the number of hiding places to force centipedes into open areas where sticky traps and DE are more effective.

Method 9: Vacuum Centipedes on Sight

Vacuuming centipedes immediately removes them. Empty the canister outside into a sealed bag — centipedes can escape from vacuum canisters if not emptied promptly. This is not a systematic treatment but reduces the immediate visible population quickly.

Method 10: Cayenne Pepper Barrier

Sprinkle cayenne pepper along baseboards and around known entry points. Centipedes avoid the strong irritant. Reapply after cleaning. A simple, inexpensive supplementary deterrent — not powerful enough as a standalone treatment but adds a useful layer alongside other methods.

Method 11: Cedar Oil Spray or Cedar Blocks

The aromatic compounds in cedar repel centipedes and many of the insects they prey on. Place cedar blocks in damp closets and storage areas. Spray cedar oil solution (10 drops per 100ml water) along baseboards and in corners. Replace or sand cedar blocks annually as the scent fades.

Method 12: Consider Leaving Them

House centipedes eat spiders, cockroaches, silverfish, ants, and flies — they are active pest controllers. A few centipedes in a basement or utility area is not a problem and provides genuine benefit. If seeing occasional centipedes bothers you but you don’t have large numbers, addressing moisture and prey insects will naturally reduce populations to an acceptable level without any direct treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions