How to prevent centipedes from entering the house?

How to prevent centipedes from entering the house?

The key to prevention is to eliminate their survival conditions — dampness and hiding places.

Indoor protection

• Keep the house dry and well-ventilated; install exhaust fans in bathrooms; maintain indoor humidity below 50% (centipedes prefer above 70%).
• Fix leaking pipes to eliminate water sources.
• Seal cracks in walls, doors, and windows — centipedes have flattened bodies and can pass through gaps as small as 3 mm; all gaps must be sealed tightly.
• Replace floor drains with insect-proof types to prevent entry from pipes.

Outdoor clearing

• Move wood, bricks, and stone piles away from the wall.
• Remove leaf litter and debris from the yard.
• Avoid planting dense vegetation near the foundation.
• Mow the lawn regularly to keep it ventilated and dry.
• Centipedes are most active from April to October; increase yard cleaning frequency in spring and summer.

Chemical barriers

• Spray bifenthrin-containing household insecticide around the foundation to form a protective band.
• Centipedes crawl close to the ground; their abdomens contact the treated surface and they die.
• Reapply after rain to maintain effectiveness.
• Also spray indoor corners and floor cracks.

Daily precautions

• Shake out shoes before putting them on to avoid hidden centipedes.
• Wear gloves when handling stacked wood or cardboard boxes.
• Regularly check and clean basements and storage rooms.
• Open delivery boxes and cardboard packages outdoors.