Updated on Aug. 09, 2024
Slinky and serpentine-like, centipedes are leggy crawlers that can cause the heebie-jeebies. Snare them without much fuss using the best centipede traps.
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Nobody wants pests in their home, least of all ones that give you the heebie-jeebies, like creepy-crawly centipedes. But seeing one of these critters scurry across your floor doesn’t have to be a regular occurrence. You can fight those infestations pretty easily by picking up some centipede traps.
Of course, there are a lot of options out there. That’s where we come in. We’ve scoured the web to find an array of the best centipede traps you can buy right now—with several different varieties and styles to choose from. If you’ve got a centipede problem, turn to these traps to deal with it swiftly and effectively.
These ready-to-use extra-long adhesive strips can snag the biggest centipedes as they scurry by. Just place the standalone boards wherever the slithering bugs tend to tread. The traps are covered with a pre-scented, fast-acting formula, so there’s no need to use additional bait. Bonus: They attract sinuous centipedes and other nightmarish bugs we hate, such as scorpions, spiders and small rodents.
Terro, an industry leader in the “bug” game, makes these paper traps that can be used either flat or folded (to keep dead insects out of sight). Scatter them around in areas centipedes frequent, such as damp bathrooms and dark basements, where the creepy crawlers can walk straight into the traps’ sticky cardboard clutches. When they’re full, just toss them into the trash. It’s a simple pest control solution that works.
This insect catcher is a clever device that lets you gently lift centipedes inside your home and humanely return them to nature where they belong. No squashing or scooping; the catch-and-release wand gingerly grabs bugs using a patented design, so there’s no direct contact with the squiggle.
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Earning top marks for providing 800 feet of bug-free space, these eco-friendly traps do a number on all sorts of crawling critters without using insecticides or other dangerous chemicals. Open, peel and place—the bait contains a powerful attractant for insects but is odorless to humans. Safe for kids and pets, it’s a pest control you can use and store safely without worry.
While most glue traps will stiffen in the cold, these pest catchers have a specially formulated adhesive that remains supple and effective in various temperatures. We also love the promise of a non-drying and non-flowing glue that retains its holding power indefinitely.
From Bell Laboratories, this pack of 90 cardboard glue traps lets you monitor your centipede-catching prowess through small rectangle windows. There’s also room to record the date and location for accurately identifying and tracking centipede infestation levels. Use the entire trap or separate them along perforated lines to create three smaller ones. The adhesive backing ensures the traps stay right where you place them.
There’s no better way to teach children about living biology and entomology than with this bug catch-and-view tool. The one-handed, thumb-operated slider nabs the crawlers without killing the centipedes. Once the centipede is contained, curious kids can examine the specimen through a crystal-clear lens magnified at five times the standard size. When the experiment is complete, simply slide open the trap and let it go free.
The problem with catching centipedes is they have the propensity to run fast and wriggle their way out of sticky situations. These extra clingy traps are famous for their strong, industrial-strength holding power, time-release attractant and generously sized surface area (6 inches by 12 inches). It’s a trifecta of centipede commandeering!
Relying on a long-lasting blend of all-natural ingredients, this two-pack of glue traps catch centipedes without harming the environment or smelling up the place. The slim traps slide discreetly under furniture and in cupboards, work for weeks on end and are ideal for residential and commercial use. Ahoy! They also work well on boats.
Granted, none of the insect traps on our list is that expensive, and they can easily be purchased online or picked up at the nearest hardware store. But if you love do-it-yourself projects, why not craft your own centipede trap at home?
For this centipede trap, you only need a piece of cardboard, wood or heavy construction paper, and a smear of Vaseline (petroleum jelly).
Spread a thick layer of petroleum jelly all over the cardboard using your finger or knife. Then, place the gunky strip in corners, behind the toilet, under sinks—anywhere centipedes are likely to find it. When a centipede crawls across the jelly, it will get stuck in the goo. This trap will also work with other small, crawling pests, such as the centipede’s “cousin,” the millipede.
Here are some factors to consider when shopping for centipede traps.
Endeavoring to offer only the best centipede traps, we started with a broad net, seeking out all the available options and styles. Then, we narrowed it down by paying special attention to trustworthy, tried-and-true brands and highly recommended offerings (taking advice from professionals and homeowners alike). Next, we pared down the options based on those most reliable and respected. We finally settled on a collection that we believe truly represents the most exceptional centipede traps you can buy.
Toni DeBella is a culture and lifestyle writer, reviews expert and DIYer who covers everything from pest control, pool cabanas, painting and container gardening. Her work appears in trusted media publications, including Family Handyman, The Telegraph, Fodor’s, Italy Magazine, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, and Orvieto or Bust. Her specialties include home improvement and maintenance, making her the ideal candidate to speak on centipede traps.
Though creepy, centipedes are actually sometimes helpful pests. They feed on other insects, like cockroaches, silverfish and spiders. If you see them in your home, it probably means you have another pest problem. The best defense for long-lasting eradication is keeping your home clean, as most of these insects are drawn by food sources. Centipedes also like humidity, so using a dehumidifier can help.
Centipedes are drawn to cool, dark, damp places. So making your home inhospitable to them means a lot of light, heat and dryness. They are also drawn out by food sources, namely other small insects.
Many exterminators will use insecticides containing bifenthrin or cypermethrin, which can kill centipedes on contact.
