Is it a House Centipede or a Silverfish? Key Differences You Should Know
Homeownership is not an easy task. There always seems to be a constant stream of projects and repairs, some of which are fun and easy to handle yourself and others best left to the professionals. Residential insect and rodent problems are neither fun nor easy to handle on your own, but lucky for Seaside Pest Control can help. When it comes to local pest control and pest control in Vancouver, you can trust our pest exterminator team to eliminate the problem in the most efficient, affordable, and permanent way possible. There are a variety of problems your local pest control professionals can handle, and the more information you can provide a pest exterminator when you call, the better!
Below is a quick guide to the differences between a house centipede and a silverfish and how you can get rid of them.
What is a centipede?
Centipedes are arthropods, meaning they are not technically an insect but are closely related to them. They are significantly larger than silverfish, with bodies as long as two inches in length and covered in legs – typically 16 pairs. The segmented body of a centipede gives them a striped appearance, and their yellow-to-brown coloration is a good point of differentiation from silverfish.
Centipedes are carnivorous, typically feasting on other insects, including spiders and cockroaches. The presence of centipedes in your home is a good indicator that you may also have another pest to deal with. While centipedes can bite humans, this is rare and will feel no worse than a beesting.
What is a silverfish?
Unlike centipedes, silverfish are insects – meaning they have six legs. Silverfish are also quite a bit smaller than centipedes, with the largest ones rarely being any bigger than ½ inch in length. The flattened body of a silverfish differentiates them from centipedes, as does their solid pale to dark gray colour. Silverfish have three sets of legs, as well as three additional appendages – more antennae-like than limb-like – on their abdomen.
Whereas centipedes eat other insects, silverfish enjoy starches and sugars found in natural fibres. This can be a problem with fabric and paper in your home.
How do you get rid of centipedes and silverfish?
Most of the DIY treatments for centipede and silverfish removal, such as boric acid or diatomaceous earth, require direct contact with the organism in question. Because of this, it is a challenging process that proves largely ineffective. When it comes to Surrey pest control, the best option for you is to call a professional pest exterminator like those at Seaside Pest Control. To guarantee a solution to your problem at an affordable price point, the Vancouver pest controlexperts at Seaside have you covered. Give us a call today to request a quote or schedule an appointment. If you have a pest problem, the best time to handle it is now!
