7 Best Centipede Sprays That Keep Them From Coming Back

There’s nothing worse than getting out of a relaxing shower and finding a family of centipedes crawling across your floor. These multi-legged insects prefer moisture and will seek it out in your home. Luckily, there are sprays that will help repel or eliminate them from your home.

Centipede sprays come in a variety of options, from chemical sprays to a more natural essential oil spray. Understanding how each spray works is vital to keeping centipedes from coming back into your home.

With all the sprays on the market, it’s important to know they don’t all work on centipedes. We will detail the 7 best centipede sprays that keep them from coming back. To finish things, we will let you know how to use centipede traps and naturally control the issue. 

The 7 Best Centipede Sprays

Having any pest in the home is enough to drive you crazy. Humans inside, pests outside, am I right?! Centipede sprays are an easy way to deal with these pests, using chemicals or scents to repel them from areas or even eliminate them on contact.

Iowa State University tells us that house centipedes, the most common centipede pests, are about 1 1/2 inches long and contain 15 pairs of legs…which is about 12 too many!

When choosing a spray, take into consideration the efficacy of the product, how it must be used, and how often it must be applied. These factors are a personal choice and will help you pick a spray that works best for your home.

Always read the directions on the centipede spray before use.

1. Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer

The best choice for eliminating centipedes is the Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer. What’s great about the Ortho Home Defense is it comes with its own spraying wand, so you don’t have to buy any attachments. 

In addition, using a sprayer allows for complete coverage of a specific area. The insect spray provides up to 12 months of preventive coverage and helps eliminate various pests in addition to centipedes.

Unlike some pest sprays, Ortho Home Defense is odor-free and doesn’t leave any residue. You can use the spray both inside and out. The wand needs no pumping, so you don’t need to worry about wearing your arms out while protecting your home.

To ensure centipedes don’t find their way into your home, spray around all window and door frames. Centipedes can easily find their way through holes or gaps in the frame. 

2. Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control

If you are looking for a natural spray, look no further than the Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control spray. 

The Mighty Mint spray is safe to use around children and pets, so you can feel comfortable using it around your house. It is made with 100% plant-based ingredients but still does an exceptional job of keeping centipedes away. 

The pest control contains peppermint oil, which makes for a strong insect deterrent. While it helps eliminate pests, it also leaves a lovely fragrance for you. Mighty Mint comes in a traditional spray bottle, and it’s advised to spray directly on centipedes and areas where you have seen them enter. 

3. Wondercide Indoor Pest Control

Another natural spray to keep centipedes from coming back is the Wondercide Indoor Pest Control. This eco-friendly spray helps eliminate and repel centipedes. In addition, Wondercide has no fragrances or harsh chemicals, so you can rest easy using it around your family, including your four-legged friends! 

Use the spray in and around the exterior of your home to help treat your centipede issue. It also has a pleasant odor, so you won’t mind using it around your home. 

Spray areas twice within a 7-10 day range for current centipede issues. To keep the problem at bay, spray every four weeks.

4. Delta Dust Multi-Use Pest Control

If you can see any holes or gaps where centipedes are entering, it’s wise to use the Delta Dust Multi Use Pest Control. Use the dust directly on the centipedes or the areas where these creepy crawlies have been spotted. 

The Delta Dust is waterproof, so you can use it near leaky pipes or other water spots. In addition, you can use the dust directly on drains or other high-moisture areas. 

The dust works for up to eight months, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying it often. It can also be used inside and outside, depending on where your infestation starts. 

5. Terro Indoor And Outdoor Home Insect Killer

The Terro Indoor and Outdoor Home Insect Killer helps eliminate over 60 types of insects, including the centipedes that keep finding their way into your home. 

The Terro insect spray is made with a long-lasting formula to offer protection for up to a year. This effective insecticide is odorless and won’t leave any stains behind. 

The bottle comes with an attachment to target specific areas. You’ll need to pump the trigger, but the nozzle is easy to use and has a holder on the inside of the bottle handle. 

When spraying the Terro insecticide, ensure you are about 12-18 inches from the surfaces. You don’t have to go overboard when spraying; a light mist does the trick. For superior protection, spray directly into any crevices or cracks where centipedes have been spotted. 

6. Raid Max Bug Barrier

Raid is a popular brand for eliminating pests. The Raid Max Bug Barrier was developed to keep pests away for 12 months. 

The spray bottle is easy to use and should be applied to all areas where centipedes have gained entry into your home. 

This spray can be used both inside and outside, making it an excellent spray for preventing centipedes. Remember, centipedes are pretty fast, so if you are trying to spray them directly, make sure you do it swiftly. 

7. Spectracide Bug Stop Home Barrier

Next on the list of centipede sprays that keep them from coming back is the Spectracide Bug Stop Home Barrier. The spray bottle comes with an extendable wand to ensure complete coverage. As a quick note, the wand is battery-operated, and you will have to supply 4 AA batteries to get it to work. 

However, once you get it powered up, the Spectracide spray will help eliminate centipedes on contact and provide up to 12 months of protection. The spray won’t stain and doesn’t have any chemical odor. 

This insecticide can be used both inside and out to ensure you stop centipedes in their tracks, regardless of where they want to call home. 

Here’s Where To Use Centipede Sprays In Your Home

Centipedes serve their purpose in the environment. These arthropods help capture small household pests like roaches, silverfish, and flies. If you had to choose between a roach and a centipede, believe me, you want the centipede!

Unlike other pests, centipedes won’t attack your house plants, they don’t multiply by the hundreds, they do not damage your clothes or the structural integrity of your home, and they do not build nests. Still, that doesn’t mean we want these too-many-legs creatures inside our homes, right? Right?

Well, if you’re on the fence about using centipede sprays, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of having centipedes in the home:

Pros	Cons
Centipedes are natural predators, feeding on other pests such as spiders, cockroaches, and silverfish, helping to control their populations.	Centipedes can be startling and unsettling to encounter, potentially causing anxiety or fear for some individuals.
Their presence can indicate an ecosystem in balance, as they contribute to the natural control of insect populations within the home.	Some centipede species possess venomous bites that can cause mild to moderate pain, swelling, and redness in humans.
Centipedes are generally shy and reclusive, preferring to avoid human interaction whenever possible.	In large numbers, centipedes can become a nuisance, especially if they startle or bother occupants of the home.
They are fascinating creatures with unique physical characteristics and behaviors, providing an opportunity for observation and learning.	Centipedes prefer dark, damp environments, and their presence may signal underlying moisture issues or structural vulnerabilities in the home.

So, where should you use centipede sprays?

Kitchen and Bathroom

Centipedes are nocturnal creatures, so it can be difficult to catch them in the act of crawling around your home. Your kitchen and bathroom may be centipede-free during the day, but when the sun goes down, these creepy crawlies go on the hunt.

Centipedes are often attracted to moisture, making the kitchen and bathroom prime locations for their presence. Leaky faucets, damp sponges, and standing water can all draw centipedes into these areas. They may seek refuge in dark, damp corners or beneath sinks and appliances.

For a more detailed look at what draws centipedes inside your home, head over to our article on the most common things that attract centipedes inside.

Basement and Crawl Spaces

Dark, humid environments like basements and crawl spaces are ideal habitats for centipedes. They are often found near floor drains, sump pumps, and areas with high humidity levels. Clutter and debris can provide hiding spots for centipedes in these areas.

Basements are also prime habitats for other pests like spiders and silverfish. These, in turn, attract centipedes to the area because centipedes hunt them.

Understanding where centipedes are commonly found in the home and what attracts them can help you take proactive measures to reduce their presence. Addressing other factors, such as moisture in the home, can also reduce their presence, but more on that later!

By the way, centipedes are often confused with millipedes. Millipedes are much more mild-mannered and can usually be left alone. You can read more about why millipedes really aren’t that bad here.

Using Centipede Traps Around The Home

Centipede traps are another method of keeping them away. The traps will need to be changed when they fill up and are a great way to monitor the population of centipedes in your home. This can tell you whether the sprays or other preventative measures are working.

Keep in mind, unlike insecticides, traps do not always prevent an issue but can help ongoing issues. By placing traps around your house, you can continually catch centipedes before they invade your house. 

Insect traps are a great option if you don’t feel comfortable spraying your house with insecticides. 

Terro Insect Traps

Terro Insect Traps are a popular choice for catching centipedes. The convenient traps contain no insecticides, so you can feel comfortable using them around your house. 

Each trap is equipped with non-toxic glue to catch the insects and can be folded or kept flat. It’s recommended to place the traps along baseboards or under furniture. Ensure you set them up where centipedes are seen the most, like bathrooms, basements, and under sinks.

Catchmaster Pest Trap

Another great option is the Catchmaster Killer Pest Control Heavy Duty Glue Trap. While the traps are designed to catch mice, they do a stellar job catching centipedes and other insects. Each Catchmaster trap has high-quality glue to catch any insect that crawls over it. 

The boards can lay flat or fold up. However, you’ll catch more centipedes by laying the board flat, which will expose more glue.

Keeping Centipedes Away Naturally

Centipedes can live up to six years, which is six years too many to live in your house. While you may have rid yourself of centipedes through various sprays, you want to keep them away naturally. 

We have a thorough list of scents that centipedes hate that can act as a natural guide to repelling centipedes. Many scents are probably already present in your kitchen, such as cloves and thyme.

In addition to using scent deterrents, there are a few other natural ways to keep centipedes away.

Add A Dehumidifier To Susceptible Areas

Centipedes prefer moist, cool air and are often found in bathrooms or basements. Adding a dehumidifier to one of these rooms will help keep moisture levels down and, more importantly, less appealing to centipedes. 

A Gocheer DeHumidifier is an excellent option because it can cover nearly 500 sq ft, making it ideal for bathrooms and basements. In addition, the dehumidifier is lightweight, so you can transfer it from room to room as needed. 

Check For Leaks Around Your House

A leaky pipe is enticing to centipedes as it brings a fair amount of moisture. So, it’s crucial to check for leaks and fix them immediately. 

The most susceptible places for leaky pipes are bathrooms and kitchens. These areas are highly likely to attract centipedes. Fixing leaky pipes will not only prevent future house problems but repel centipedes in the process!

Bathrooms and kitchens are also great places to leave centipede traps. Since traps aren’t usually waterproof, ensure you place them away from your pipes. 

Keep Trash Covered

Keeping your trash covered is one of the best ways to prevent almost any pest from entering your home. Centipedes aren’t necessarily attracted to your trash, but to the insects it brings in. For example, centipedes prey on cockroaches which are often found around trash cans. 

Consider adding a lock to any unsecured trash cans if you don’t already. You also want to ensure your yard is free from the trash that could appeal to centipedes. 

Wrapping Things Up

Hopefully, this article on the best centipede sprays has encouraged you to find a brand that works best for your specific issue. While insecticides do a fantastic job of preventing centipedes from coming back, there are natural ways to address the problem as well.

Finally, if your centipede problem has become a full-blown infestation, don’t hesitate to call a pest professional. A professional can help pinpoint how the centipedes enter your home, treat the problem, and prevent future issues. Use our nationwide pest control finder to connect with a local professional today!

References

Bush, Sean P., et al. “Centipede envenomation.” Wilderness & environmental medicine 12.2 (2001): 93-99.

Chitty, J. R. (2022). Myriapods (centipedes and millipedes). Invertebrate medicine, 399-412.

Marlatt, Charles Lester. “The House centipede (Scutigera forceps Raf.).” Circular, United States Department of Agriculture Division of Entomology (1902).

Undheim, Eivind AB, and Glenn F. King. “On the venom system of centipedes (Chilopoda), a neglected group of venomous animals.” Toxicon 57.4 (2011): 512-524.