The holidays bring cozy gatherings, festive decorations, and plenty of warmth indoors. But it’s not just friends and family who want to come inside and escape the cold—centipedes, millipedes, and sowbugs would love an invitation, too! During the colder winter months, these common pests seek shelter indoors, especially in damp areas like basements and bathrooms, creating unexpected pest problems right when you’re preparing to welcome holiday guests.

With some preventative measures and a little know-how, you can protect your home from these uninvited visitors this winter. Let’s go over how to keep your home pest-free, get rid of centipedes, and know when it’s time to call in a millipede or sowbug exterminator if needed.

Note: Don’t forget to check out our guide on how to prevent mice this winter, as insects are not the only pests who seek the warmth inside.

Common Winter Pests: Centipedes, Millipedes, & Sowbugs

Winter months bring specific types of pests into homes across the United States, particularly those that are active at night, like centipedes, millipedes, and sowbugs. These pests are drawn indoors for warmth and moisture and often settle in basements, crawl spaces, and other damp areas. Understanding their behaviors can help you take the right steps to prevent them from becoming holiday-season pests.

Centipedes

Known for their many pairs of legs and quick movements, centipedes are nocturnal predators that hunt other small insects. While beneficial outdoors, they’re not ideal indoor guests. Centipedes hide in cracks and crevices, often near entry points, and prefer dark, damp places like basements.

Millipedes

Millipedes, which move much more slowly than centipedes, prefer to munch on decaying organic matter like grass clippings. When they invade homes, they congregate in damp areas and release an unpleasant odor if disturbed. Finding large numbers of millipedes indoors may mean it’s time to call in a millipede exterminator.

Sowbugs

Sowbugs, or pill bugs, are small crustaceans that need a lot of moisture to survive. They feed on decaying plants and thrive in dark, damp environments, making basements ideal hiding spots. While harmless, sowbugs can become a nuisance if they invade your home in large numbers. A sowbug exterminator can help if you’re dealing with a significant infestation.

Preventative Measures to Keep Pests Out This Winter

Taking preventative measures now can help avoid holiday pest problems and keep your home festive, fresh, and pest-free. Here’s how you can keep centipedes, millipedes, and sowbugs outside where they belong:

1. Seal Entry Points

Centipedes, millipedes, and sowbugs can enter through tiny gaps and cracks around doors, windows, and the foundation. Sealing cracks and crevices with caulk or foam sealant and reinforcing weather stripping around doors and windows can reduce entry points and help keep these pests out.

2. Tidy Up Outdoor Spaces

Keep grass clippings, leaves, and mulch away from your home’s foundation as they attract pests by providing food sources and shelter. Regularly clear away leaves and other organic debris near your home to discourage pests from settling near potential entry points.

3. Reduce Indoor Moisture

Using a dehumidifier in damp areas like the basement or bathroom can make your home less appealing to centipedes, millipedes, and sowbugs. Fixing leaky pipes, repairing dripping faucets, and wiping up excess moisture can also help prevent these pests from thriving indoors.

4. Maintain a Clean Home

Keeping your home clean can prevent pests from finding food sources inside. Regularly sweep, vacuum, and mop, especially in the kitchen and dining areas, to eliminate crumbs and spills. Centipedes, for instance, often enter homes looking for other pests, so maintaining a clean space can deter them.

When to Call a Pest Control Company

Even with the best prevention tactics, some pests may still find a way into your home. If you’re dealing with large numbers of centipedes, millipedes, or sowbugs, it may be time to call a professional pest control company. Pest control experts can provide tailored solutions to address specific pest problems and get rid of centipedes, millipedes, and sowbugs effectively.

Signs You May Need Professional Help

• Recurring Pest Sightings: If you’re frequently spotting centipedes or millipedes despite sealing entry points, it’s a good sign you may need a millipede exterminator or centipede removal service.
• Large Infestations: If you’re seeing large numbers of sowbugs or other pests, a sowbug exterminator can help remove them and prevent future problems.
• Persistent Moisture Issues: If your basement remains damp despite your efforts, pest control experts can offer advice on moisture management and pest control solutions to address ongoing issues.

Trust Creature Control for Winter Pest Control in Michigan

Creature Control is an industry leader in pest control services, providing humane and effective solutions to keep pests like centipedes, millipedes, and sowbugs out of your home. Focusing on environmentally friendly practices, Creature Control’s experts handle pest problems carefully, ensuring a thorough solution while maintaining local biodiversity.

If you’re dealing with unwanted winter pests or need professional advice on pest prevention, contact Creature Control. Our experts can inspect your home, identify entry points, and apply targeted treatments to protect your home during winter.

To learn more about our pest control services and how we can keep pests outside where they belong, call Creature Control at 1-800-441-1519.