House centipedes are fast. Alarmingly fast. Fifteen pairs of long legs, a 3-inch body, and the ability to sprint across a bathroom wall in a blink — it’s a memorable encounter. Most homeowners react with horror. The centipede, for its part, is just hunting. House centipedes eat spiders, silverfish, flies, and other insects, which means if you have centipedes, you likely have other pests supporting them. That’s the real issue. Miller Pest Solutions has been solving centipede and moisture pest problems in central Iowa since 2001.

Signs of a Centipede Infestation

  • Seeing centipedes in bathrooms, sinks, or bathtubs — The most common encounter. They enter through drains or come up from lower levels seeking moisture.
  • Centipedes on basement walls or floors — Especially in unfinished basements or areas with moisture issues. High humidity brings them out.
  • Repeated sightings in the same areas — One centipede is just a centipede. Finding them regularly in the same room or corner indicates a resident population.
  • Centipedes in closets or laundry rooms — Dark, cool, sometimes humid spaces adjacent to basements attract centipedes and their prey.
  • Other pest activity — Because centipedes are predators, an active centipede population almost always means there’s also a prey population: spiders, silverfish, crickets, or flies.

Why Centipedes Are Common in Nevada

Iowa’s humidity — especially in basements during summer — creates excellent conditions for house centipedes (Scutigera coleoptrata). In Nevada, homes with older foundations, crawl spaces, or moisture management issues are most prone to centipede activity. They need moisture to survive; their thin exoskeleton desiccates quickly without it.

Centipedes don’t enter homes to cause trouble — they follow their food supply. If spiders and silverfish are established in your basement, centipedes will find them. Addressing the overall pest population, not just the centipedes, is what produces lasting results.

Our Centipede Control Process

Centipede control without addressing moisture and prey populations is a temporary fix at best. Our approach addresses the whole picture:

  • assessment for moisture sources — We identify high-humidity areas, plumbing leaks, and drainage issues that support centipede harborage.
  • Residual insecticide treatment — Applied to basement perimeters, crawl spaces, bathroom areas, and other harborage zones. We target the centipedes and the prey insects simultaneously.
  • Crack-and-crevice treatment — Treating harborage sites along baseboards, under appliances, and inside wall voids where centipedes and prey insects hide.
  • Dehumidification recommendations — A basement dehumidifier is often the single most impactful step a homeowner can take to reduce centipede habitat long-term.
  • Exterior perimeter treatment — Centipedes and their prey enter from outside. Treating the foundation exterior and entry points reduces incoming pressure.

Note: House centipedes can deliver a mild bite if handled or cornered, but they’re not medically significant. Their primary impact is psychological — and the pest population they signal.

Why Choose Miller Pest Solutions

Joel Miller has been in pest control since 2007. Miller Pest Solutions is QualityPro Certified, an NPMA member, and has been serving Nevada and central Iowa since 2001. We dig into the root cause rather than applying a surface treatment and hoping for the best. If moisture is the driver, we’ll tell you that directly.

Get a Free Phone Bid Today

Call Miller Pest Solutions at (515) 329-8801 for a free phone bid on centipede control in Nevada, IA. We’ll assess your situation honestly and give you a clear plan. Learn more at millerthekiller.com.