Centipedes & Millipedes in Edison, Somerset, Lakewood and Nearby

Centipedes and millipedes are distinct invertebrates distinguished by their numerous legs-centipedes with one pair per body segment, and millipedes with two pairs. Centipedes possess poison claws used for hunting, though their bite typically resembles a bee sting in discomfort. They're often found in moist environments like basements and bathrooms, signaling potential moisture issues. Millipedes lack poison claws and coil up when disturbed, often perishing indoors without excess moisture.

To deter these pests, maintain a clear perimeter around your home by removing mulch and dead vegetation. A pest control professional can apply perimeter treatments to prevent their entry. For existing infestations, vacuum or sweep them up and address moisture sources to discourage their presence. Indoor treatments may be necessary for damp hiding spots.

Sowbugs & Pillbugs

Sowbugs and pillbugs, resembling shrimp and crayfish, are unique crustaceans adapted for land life. Typically found outdoors in moist environments, they occasionally migrate indoors, though they pose no threat-they neither bite, sting, nor transmit diseases, nor do they infest food, clothing, or wood. However, their presence can be bothersome.

Measuring up to ½ inch in length, these pests are dark gray to slate in color and boast seven pairs of legs and two pairs of antennae. Sowbugs feature two tail-like appendages, while pillbugs can roll into a tight ball when disturbed, earning them the nickname "roly-polies."

Feeding on decaying organic matter, they thrive in high-moisture areas, often invading crawl spaces, damp basements, and ground-level floors at night. However, they cannot survive indoors without exceptionally moist conditions.

To manage sowbugs and pillbugs, minimize moisture and remove debris around your home's perimeter. Ensure proper drainage away from the foundation and promptly repair any leaks. Additionally, maintain ventilation in crawl spaces and basements to reduce humidity levels. Removing leaves, grass, and mulch accumulations near the foundation can also deter these pests. Seal cracks and openings to prevent entry, and consider perimeter treatments by a pest control professional for added protection, complemented by permanent exclusion techniques to fortify your home against pest infiltration.

Springtails

Springtails are minuscule wingless insects, approximately 1/16 inch long, known for laying their round eggs in moist soil. Adults vary in color from whitish to bluish, or dark gray to black, and possess a unique ability to jump several inches high using a tail-like mechanism under their abdomen. This spring-like appendage propels them away from danger when disturbed.

Often found in large numbers in moist indoor areas like kitchen sinks, bathtubs, and houseplant soil, springtails can startle homeowners, particularly in spring and early summer. Despite their resemblance to fleas, they do not bite humans or pets nor transmit diseases; however, their sudden appearance can be a nuisance.

Springtails enter homes in search of moisture through window screens, open doors, and vent pipes, congregating on buildings after hot days. Once indoors, they gravitate toward moist environments like sinks, washbasins, and floor drains. Their presence indicates a moisture problem, as they rely on moisture for survival.

As harmless scavengers feeding on decaying organic matter, springtails rarely harm plants but may pose issues around swimming pools, where they drown in large numbers. To manage springtails, reducing moisture and excess organic matter in gardens, plant pots, and around foundations is key. Repairing entry points and eliminating sources of excess moisture, such as water leaks and overwatered plants, is essential. Chemical applications are generally unnecessary and ineffective without addressing underlying moisture issues.

Implementing exclusion and sanitation measures, such as repairing screens, sealing entry points, and using weather stripping, can prevent springtails and other pests from entering your home. By addressing moisture concerns and implementing preventative measures, you can effectively manage springtail infestations and reduce the likelihood of future pest problems.

Clover Mites

Clover mites can be nuisances during the early spring and occasionally the fall. They are very small, reddish-brown insects that appear as moving dark spots to the naked eye. They leave a red stain if crushed caused by the mite’s body pigments. They are not blood feeders and are harmless to people and pets; they will not infest pantries or household products. Once inside a home or building, they die.

Clover mites feed on clover and grasses and are abundant in well-fertilized lawns. They usually enter a home around windows or doors and are usually seen crawling along sills or thresholds. They are a temporary nuisance and usually disappear and quickly as they appear. Be careful to avoid crushing them and causing stains.

There is increased potential for clover mites to invade structures when grass extends to the foundation. Also, avoid over-fertilizing lawns. If a large number of clover mites are seen on outside walls, a professional pest control operator has applications that will keep the mites from entering the home. It is recommended that non-chemical controls are used indoors sincere they are a temporary nuisance and cause no harm to people or pets. Often, a soapy rag or wet sponge is usually enough to clean mites off surfaces. It is much safer than introducing insecticides into the kitchen for such an innocuous insect.

If you have a pest control issue, contact Cowleys Pest Services. We are your local pest control professionals, serving Edison, Somerset, Lakewood, Piscataway, Bridgewater, Toms River, Brick, Old Bridge, Princeton Junction, Middletown and surrounding New Jersey.

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