diatomaceaous earth is good (and should kill semi-slugs too) but as you have a young child, don't apply it anywhere he can go.
I knew a woman whose pre-school kid inhaled some of it and he was hospitalized and almost died. The same sharpness that kills the bugs will slice up human lungs, so be very careful about applying it.
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There is a product called RouchProof which is boric acid based. I always treat my home with this and never have had a problem with roaches. "borax based (not really toxic to humans)". As I read that, I think maybe this stuff will work on centipedes too. It comes in a container that is pointed, snip off the tip and puff under baseboards, appliances, behind cabinets, where ever you can get it to go into cracks, crevices. Walmart has an off brand, just read the ingredients and make sure it says it has boric acid powder. I am going to put double sided tape at the top step at the back entrance where I have a screendoor to the lanai and I can't get a tight seal at the bottom. See if I can catch any trying to sneak in. Ewwwwww, I hate them!
Edited by - Nancy Fryhover on 10/11/2007 12:31:13
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Some background on the Giant Centipede, Scolopendra subspinipes. They are known to have been introduced accidentally before 1847, possibly by Polynesian voyagers, as they are found throughout the tropics. The adults are 6+ inches. The young ones have bluish legs, they're not a different species. They are found in the lowlands, hiding in dark, moist places. They prey, nocturnally, on insects, worms, slugs, and geckos. My reference doesn't say what preys on it. As for bites to humans, the wounds are painful, become swollen, are slow to heal, and may become infected. Bitten pets can have severe reactions.
As mentioned in previous threads, they can more easily access interiors of homes built on slabs than post & pier foundations.
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Centipedes suck! I have been stung a few times; the iridescent blue ones hurt the worst!
One got me twice in the scrotum while napping a friend’s house one afternoon! That really hurt!!
I built my house on post & pier but I also apply 'Tangle Foot' around each and every post, or anything that touches the house.
In this way I have eliminated contact with the ground for ants, some spiders and centipedes. I only re-due the treatment on the posts a few times a year; just a couple of inches wide gooey line of the stuff with a putty knife.
Ace and Pahoa Hardware carries it, about 7 bucks for 15 ounces. The ingredients are totally natural.
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quote:
As mentioned in previous threads, they can more easily access interiors of homes built on slabs than post & pier foundations.
Les, I use to think that myself, and to some degree it must be better a P & P foundation. But after seeing the video of those centipedes climbing caves to get to Bats. I wouldn't bet that anyone is much better off with P & P than a slab. Have you ever seen a centipede raise up on it's back legs to get a better look at something? That imagine alone can cause many sleepless nights if you live in a Centipede zone
Poor old Punaleigh, getting it in the "nut sacks", must have really hurt! I can only imagine one thing more painful! When was the last time you got your "Nut Sacks" caught in a zipper? 
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I got bit last month on the back by a baby 'pede. That little stinker got into my bed, the pain woke me up out of a sound sleep. Note to self - severly dished old slippahs are useless for whacking those stinkers. I was sorely missing my old clunker 'mainland shoes' to smack it with!
Is there any secret remedy to help with the pain? I should have tried Hibiscus flower, but didn't think of it at the time. It took 5 hours for the pain to subside enough to touch it, much less go back to sleep.
* I'd rather fail at happiness than succeed at misery *
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I think its smart to "unmake" the bed each morning. Leave the covers off, maybe neatly folded and put on a shelf and leave the fitted sheet only showing. Then you are really able to see what you may be going to bed with...ewwwwwww. Hopefully no BUGGERS!!!!!!!
And the Tanglefoot idea is brillant!
Edited by - Nancy Fryhover on 10/12/2007 10:11:37
