Centipede Treatment
What Was Done Today & What to Expect
What We Did Today
Inspection — Moisture, Humidity & Prey
We assessed the basement and crawl space with a moisture meter and hygrometer, documenting every moisture source. We also inspected for prey insects (silverfish, cockroaches) in the same areas — eliminating centipede food is as important as treating centipedes directly.
Sticky Traps & Exclusion — Entry Points Sealed
Glue board traps placed along basement baseboards and near floor drains to monitor ongoing activity. Foundation cracks, pipe penetrations, and basement window gaps sealed with hydraulic cement and silicone — these are the primary entry routes.
Boric Acid & DE — Crawl Space & Wall Voids
Boric acid dust applied inside wall voids and crawl-space perimeter. Food-grade diatomaceous earth along basement baseboards. Both are physical desiccants — no synthetic chemicals. Also eliminates silverfish and prey insects moving through the same spaces.
Cayenne Pepper — Exterior Entry Points
Dried cayenne powder applied at foundation vents, basement window gaps, and observed entry points. A food-safe, zero-residue contact irritant that discourages entry without chemical exposure. Reapply after heavy rain.
What to Expect
Gradual reduction over 2–4 weeks
Sightings decrease as prey insects drop and moisture improvements take hold. Check sticky traps weekly — decreasing catches confirm the treatment is working. Still seeing 5+ per week at two weeks? Call us.
Moisture fix is the permanent solution
Treatments buy time — moisture control is what keeps centipedes gone. If we recommended a dehumidifier, vapor barrier, or plumbing repair, that work is the most important step. Fall upticks in sightings are normal and don't mean treatment failed.
Your Role in This Treatment
- Address any moisture issues we flagged — leaks, poor drainage, high humidity. This is the single most important action you can take.
- Run a dehumidifier in the basement and keep it drained. Target relative humidity below 50%.
- Reduce clutter in basement and crawl space — centipedes hide under debris piles in damp areas.
- Keep sticky traps in place and check weekly. Let us know if catches are still high at two weeks.
- Move firewood stacks at least 20 feet from the foundation — they're prime outdoor centipede harborage.
- Seal any new cracks or gaps you notice at basement walls, windows, or pipe entries.
- If you have a crawl space with exposed soil, cover it with a 6-mil vapor barrier — one of the most effective long-term fixes.
✓ Safe for Family & Pets
Boric acid was applied only inside sealed cracks, wall voids, and crawl-space perimeter — never on open surfaces. Food-grade DE only. Cayenne is a food-safe spice. No synthetic pesticides. Keep children and pets out of treated basement areas for 30 minutes to let dust settle.
📞 Call or Text Us If…
Sticky trap catches stay high (5+ per week) after two weeks · You find a new leak or moisture source · Centipedes appear in new areas (upstairs, bedrooms) · You see large numbers — more than 2–3 per night — after three weeks · A bite occurred and the reaction seems more than minor local irritation.