Centipede & Millipede Control in Lewisville
Identification-First Treatment, Backed by a PhD Entomologist
Centipedes and millipedes look similar enough that they’re often lumped together, but they respond to different conditions inside a home. Getting the treatment right starts with getting the identification right. At Adams Exterminating - Lewisville, our Lewisville office is co-owned by PhD entomologist Steve Johnson, which means we approach every job from insect biology first, not guesswork.
We’ve served North Texas since 1947, providing pest, termite, and mosquito services across Lewisville, Carrollton, Coppell, Flower Mound, The Colony, and surrounding communities.
Seeing centipedes or millipedes in your home? Call us at (972) 430-5717 to schedule service. We offer options from a single treatment to year-round protection.
How to Tell Centipedes & Millipedes Apart
At a glance, both are long, multi-legged, and unwelcome. Look closer and the differences are clear. Centipedes have one pair of legs per body segment, and those legs extend outward from the sides, giving them a wide, fast-moving profile. The house centipede common in North Texas homes is tan with dark stripes running down its body, reaches about 1½ inches, and has 15 sets of jointed legs. They move quickly.
Millipedes have two pairs of legs per segment, and those legs point straight down beneath the body. They’re black or dark brown, often with red or orange markings, and they move slowly. When threatened, a millipede curls into a tight ball. A centipede doesn’t do that.
Behavior differs as much as anatomy. Centipedes are carnivorous predators hunting soft-bodied insects, worms, and spiders. Millipedes are scavengers feeding on dead leaves and decaying organic matter. That distinction matters because each pest is drawn indoors for a different reason, and treatment targets those reasons separately.
Why They Come Indoors & What Risk They Actually Pose
Both centipedes and millipedes move inside when outdoor conditions become too hot or dry. They’re seeking moisture, so humid spots like crawl spaces, laundry rooms, and basements are common destinations. North Texas humidity swings make this a familiar pattern across Lewisville properties, especially during summer heat and dry spells.
For most homeowners, the danger level for both pests is low:
- Millipedes don’t bite and won’t damage your home or spread illness. They’re a nuisance pest. They do secrete a defensive fluid that can irritate skin in some people, so direct handling isn’t recommended.
- House centipedes carry venom in their jaws, but it’s rarely strong enough to break human skin and doesn’t cause significant reactions for most people.
- Texas redheaded centipede is one of the few species in the state capable of a notably painful sting. It can reach 6½ inches or more, but it’s associated with the arid, rocky habitats of West and Central Texas and isn’t a common household pest in Lewisville.
How We Treat Centipede & Millipede Activity
Because centipedes follow prey and millipedes follow decaying matter, our treatments address both the pest and the underlying conditions drawing it in. That means evaluating moisture levels, entry points, and outdoor harborage areas around the foundation, not just treating what’s visible inside.
We offer three pest control plans: Perimeter, Home Guardian, and Home Guardian Plus. Each bundles pest treatment to fit different coverage needs, and if none of the three fit your situation, we can build something that does. We also work with local businesses on commercial pest management programs tailored to their facilities.
Prevention Steps Between Services
Treatment works best when paired with conditions that make your home less attractive in the first place. A few areas worth attention:
- Moisture control reduces millipede pressure significantly. Fix leaking pipes and consider a dehumidifier in crawl spaces or basements.
- Yard debris removal addresses harborage for both pests. Mulched flower beds, rotting logs, and leaf piles near the foundation are where millipedes concentrate. Centipedes shelter under rocks, mulch, and landscaping ties.
- Interior checks in dark, damp areas including attics, closets, and laundry rooms help catch centipede activity before populations establish.
Entomology-Backed Pest Control Since 1947
Adams Exterminating - Lewisville was founded in 1947 by Virgil H. Adams and has grown into a fourth-generation, locally owned company with a longstanding reputation across North Texas for effective, reasonably priced service. Our Lewisville office opened in 1996 and is owned and managed by Jason Johnson and his father, Steve Johnson, a PhD entomologist, in partnership with the Adams family. Steve’s background in insect biology shapes how we approach every pest problem, including calls about centipedes and millipedes that other companies treat as interchangeable. Understanding how each pest behaves lets us build strategies that address what actually brought them in.
Schedule Service in Lewisville
Whether you’ve spotted a single centipede in the bathroom or millipedes collecting near your foundation, we have a service option that fits. One-time treatments and comprehensive annual plans are both available, and our team can walk you through what we’re seeing on your property and recommend the right level of coverage.
Call Adams Exterminating - Lewisville at (972) 430-5717 to get started.
