How to Kill Centipedes in Your Lawn

What are Centipedes?

Centipedes are small, segmented creatures with one pair of legs per segment. They range in size from less than an inch to up to 12 inches. Centipedes are predators and feed on other insects, spiders, and even small rodents. They are nocturnal and are most active at night, but they can also be found during the day, especially during warm weather. In the lawn, centipedes can be a nuisance, particularly if they start to breed.

Getting Rid of Centipedes

The best way to get rid of centipedes in your lawn is to make your lawn less hospitable to them. This means reducing the amount of moisture in the soil and removing their food sources, such as insects and other small animals. Here are some tips for getting rid of centipedes in your lawn:

1. Reduce Moisture

Centipedes require moisture to survive, so reducing moisture in your lawn can help get rid of them. To do this, reduce the frequency of watering your lawn, and water only when necessary. Also, make sure that your lawn is well aerated, so that water can drain away quickly. This will also help reduce the amount of standing water in your lawn.

2. Eliminate Insects

Centipedes feed on other insects, so eliminating their food sources can help get rid of them. To do this, you can use insecticides or traps to catch and kill insects in your lawn. You can also use natural methods, such as introducing beneficial insects that will prey on other insects, or using diatomaceous earth to kill them.

3. Remove Debris

Centipedes also like to hide in dark, moist places. To discourage them from living in your lawn, remove debris such as fallen leaves, sticks, and logs. This will create a less hospitable environment for them and make it harder for them to hide.

Preventing Centipedes

Once you’ve gotten rid of the centipedes in your lawn, you can take steps to prevent them from coming back. First, make sure that you’re watering your lawn only when necessary and reducing the amount of standing water in your lawn. Second, eliminate their food sources by using insecticides, traps, or natural methods. Finally, make sure to remove debris from your lawn, so that centipedes don’t have anywhere to hide.