Centipedes Control & Removal Guide
(Giant centipede, Scolopendra, Stone centipede)*Scolopendra mutilans* / Scolopendridae
How They Get In
- Ground-floor units near landscaping — after rain, centipedes enter through door/window gaps, wall cracks, and drain openings.
- Potted plants brought indoors with soil containing centipede eggs and juveniles.
- Hallway and landscaping damp debris provides breeding sites; centipedes follow hallways indoors.
- Long-damp corners with stacked cardboard boxes and clutter attract centipedes to settle and breed.
How to Get Rid of Them
- Outdoor Cleanup and Physical Barriers: Centipedes primarily enter from outdoors. For ground-floor units and post-rain peak periods, strengthen outdoor protection. Clear accumulated leaf litter, debris, and cardboard boxes from balconies and hallway entrances to reduce outdoor centipede habitat. Seal door/window gaps, exterior wall cracks, and pipe entry holes (with sealant or cement mortar) to physically block entry. After rain, promptly inspect ground-floor doors, windows, and balcony areas; remove any centipedes found.;
- Pre-Treatment Preparation: Clear indoor corners, balconies, and hallway entry clutter and damp accumulations. Remove pets, children, food, and dishes. Shake the spray bottle well.;
- Key Treatment Zones: Door/window frame gaps and thresholds — primary entry routes; spray along frames and bottoms to form a continuous barrier band. Balcony floors, walls, and corners — first indoor station after outdoor entry; spray along corner lines. Wall cracks and pipe entries — entry pathways; spray directly into cracks. Bathroom corners and floors — damp indoor areas where centipedes may shelter. Hallway entry doors and common corridors — for multi-unit buildings, form a protective band outdoors.;
- Application Method: Hold sprayer 20-30cm from surfaces and spray evenly. Spray door/window frames and thresholds along the bottom to form a continuous chemical barrier without gaps. Cover balcony areas along corner lines evenly. Spray wall cracks directly. Flat surfaces need only a light pass — no heavy saturation needed.;
- Post-Treatment and Preventive Management: Keep the area closed for 1-2 hours, ventilate for 30+ minutes before re-entry. Avoid spraying on plant leaves, dishes, and food. During post-rain peak seasons (spring-summer rainy periods), apply preventive spraying at doorways and windowsills to block centipede entry paths. Maintain indoor ventilation and dryness — centipedes cannot survive in dry environments.
Prevention & Follow-Up
Keep your home well-ventilated and dry, especially in damp areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Seal gaps around doors and windows, cracks in walls, and openings where pipes enter to cut off their entry routes. Regularly clear fallen leaves, weeds, and debris from your balcony and entryway to reduce outdoor harborage. After rain, check ground-floor doors, windows, and balconies—centipedes often move indoors when the ground gets soaked. Keep outdoor landscaping tidy and trimmed to reduce natural centipede habitat near your home.