Finding an unexpected and uninvited guest like a centipede in your shower can be startling, to say the least. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to what to do: Stay calm, contain or remove the centipede safely, identify what type it is, clean and disinfect the area thoroughly, and take preventative measures against future infestations.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about dealing with a centipede in your shower step-by-step, from your initial reaction to long-term prevention.
Staying Calm and Containing the Centipede
Don’t Panic – Centipedes Are Not Aggressive
Centipedes prefer to avoid confrontation when possible. Although their appearance can be startling, centipedes are generally not aggressive towards humans unless threatened. Their venom is also relatively mild compared to other arthropods.
While a bite would be painful, it would likely only cause minor swelling or redness in most cases.
Carefully Contain or Catch the Centipede
If you find a centipede in your shower or bathroom, try to carefully contain or catch it without touching it. You can gently encourage it to crawl into a jar or plastic container. Avoid crushing the centipede, as this may cause it to release an unpleasant odor.
Wearing gloves for protection is advisable if attempting to handle the centipede.
An alternative is to use glue boards or sticky traps to safely capture roaming centipedes. Place these traps along walls or in corners overnight to trap centipedes seeking food or shelter.
Call For Help If Needed
If the centipede has hidden or crawled into an enclosed space making containment difficult, do not attempt removal on your own. Seek professional pest control assistance. Services like Orkin, Terminix, and Ehrlich specialize in centipede removal and can properly treat affected areas of the home to discourage future infestations.
For extremely large centipede species exceeding 6 inches, or if multiple centipedes are spotted, also contact pest management right away. Having numerous giant centipedes likely signals serious moisture or pest issues needing prompt attention to prevent further spread.
Identifying the Type of Centipede
House Centipedes vs Garden Centipedes
There are two main types of centipedes commonly found inside homes: the house centipede and the garden centipede. House centipedes (Scutigera coleoptrata) are common indoor pests, while garden centipedes mostly stay outdoors but may wander inside occasionally.
Telling them apart is important to determine if the centipede poses a danger or is relatively harmless.
Appearance and Behavior Differences
House centipedes have long, flattened bodies with 15 pairs of legs. They are yellowish-gray in color and very fast moving. Garden centipedes are darker colored, more orange-brown, and tend to curl up when disturbed.
In terms of size, house centipedes can reach over 1 inch long, while garden centipedes are smaller, usually under half an inch.
The antennae on house centipedes are also longer than garden varieties. House centipedes use these antennae to hunt for prey, including small insects and spiders. They are nimble hunters, rushing quickly across floors and walls. Garden centipedes move much more slowly by comparison.
Determine If It Poses a Danger
While startling to find in the shower, house centipedes are harmless to humans. Their legs may look scary, but they cannot bite or sting. The only danger would be an allergic reaction to the secretions if handled directly.
For anyone with insect allergies, simply trap the centipede and release it outdoors.
Garden centipedes also pose little threat, though they can pinch with their rear legs if threatened. Their venom is mild, similar to a bee’s. However, individuals with allergies or sensitive skin should avoid direct contact if possible.
To determine what type of centipede was found in the shower, carefully examine its features. Long antennae, many legs, and speedy movements indicate the common house centipede. If the centipede appears shorter, darker, moves slowly, and curls up, then it is likely a garden centipede that has wandered inside.
While startling, neither variety poses serious danger in most cases. Using papers or gloves to trap and relocate the centipede outdoors is the safest option. Sealing cracks or holes around windows and doors can also prevent future unwanted guests.
Removing the Centipede and Disinfecting
Humanely Remove the Centipede
If you spot a centipede in your shower, the first step is to safely remove it without harming it. Here are some tips for humanely catching and releasing a centipede:
- Use a bowl or cup to trap the centipede, then slide a stiff piece of paper underneath to contain it.
- You can also use tongs or tweezers to carefully pick up the centipede and transfer it to a container.
- Avoid squishing or injuring the centipede – they are harmless and beneficial pest eaters!
- Release the centipede outdoors in a garden, under a bush, or in a safe natural area.
Removing the centipede humanely prevents you from having to clean up a squished bug in your shower! It also allows the beneficial centipede to continue eating other bothersome pests outside.
Thoroughly Clean the Shower and Disinfect
After removing the centipede, it’s important to thoroughly clean and disinfect your shower to get rid of any traces it left behind:
- Use hot water and soap or cleaning products to scrub the shower walls, floor, corners, and crevices.
- Pay close attention to small spaces like around the drain where centipedes can hide.
- Disinfect the shower using EPA-registered disinfectants or bleach solutions.
- Vinegar, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus oil also have disinfecting properties against germs.
- Be sure to rinse any cleaning solutions away afterwards.
Thorough disinfection helps remove bacteria, germs, and traces of centipedes to prevent future infestations or illnesses. Bleach solutions should be about 1 part bleach to 10 parts water for effective disinfecting.
Dry Out the Shower Thoroughly Afterwards
Preventing future centipede encounters means drying out your shower environment completely:
- Open shower doors/curtains after use to allow moisture to evaporate.
- Use a squeegee on glass shower walls after each use to wipe away pooling water.
- Use a fan or dehumidifier to actively dry the air and prevent damp conditions.
- Repair any leaks or seal cracks that allow moisture into the shower walls or base.
- Remove clutter, towels, and accessories that retain moisture in the shower.
Centipedes thrive in damp places, so thoroughly drying the shower deprives them of their ideal habitat. Consistently practice these drying techniques to keep centipedes away long-term. With vigilance, you can enjoy a pest-free shower environment.
Preventing Future Centipede Infestations
Block All Possible Entry Points
Centipedes can sneak into your home through the tiniest cracks and crevices. To keep them out, you’ll need to find and seal any potential entry points, including:
- Cracks in your home’s foundation
- Openings around windows, doors, pipes, vents, and wiring
- Small gaps around the edges of door and window frames
- Any holes in exterior walls
Caulk, weatherstripping, steel wool, and pest control foam sealant can all be useful for sealing these access points. Just be sure to check for new cracks and gaps regularly, as shifting foundations and weathering can undo your hard work over time.
Use Deterrent Sprays and Powders
Certain strong scents can deter centipedes and other bugs from entering your home. Spray insecticidal soap, diluted essential oils, or vinegar around possible entryways to keep them at bay. You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of your home.
The sharp particles of this powdery substance can cut into centipedes’ bodies and cause dehydration. Just be sure to use food-grade diatomaceous earth, not the type made for pool filters.
Keep Humidity Levels Low
Centipedes thrive in damp environments. Keeping indoor humidity below 55% can discourage them from taking up residence in your house. Run bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans regularly, ventilate moist areas, and consider investing in a dehumidifier if humidity is an ongoing issue.
Get Professional Pest Control If Needed
For serious centipede problems, you may need to bring in a professional exterminator. They have commercial-grade insecticides and baits that can effectively eliminate centipede infestations. Be sure to ask about pet-safe options if you have furry companions at home.
Getting rid of all the centipedes in your house may take some trial and error. But sealing up cracks, keeping things dry, and using deterrents should help prevent the creepy crawlers from invading your shower again!
Conclusion
While having a centipede intrude in your shower can certainly be disturbing and scary, understanding how to properly handle the situation can help put your mind at ease. With some common sense safety precautions in containing them, identifying what type it is, thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the area afterwards, and taking key preventative measures against a recurrence, you can rest assured knowing exactly what to do if those quick little legs ever find their way into your shower again.
