Kankhajura (centipede) in the house: why they come in and how to stop them
By RD Pest Control ·
Kankhajura often appear in bathrooms and ground-floor rooms, especially in the monsoon. Here is why centipedes come inside and what actually keeps them out.
Few things make a family jump like a kankhajura (centipede) running across the bathroom floor or out from under a cupboard. In Vadodara they are especially common during and after the monsoon, in ground-floor homes, bungalows with gardens, row houses and older buildings.
This guide explains why centipedes come inside, where they hide, and the practical steps that help keep them out.
What is a kankhajura?
A kankhajura is a centipede: a long, flat creature with many legs that moves very quickly. They are mostly active at night and prefer dark, damp places. Centipedes feed on other small insects and creatures, such as cockroaches, silverfish, spiders and insect larvae.
That last point matters. If you see centipedes regularly, there may be other insects around for them to eat.
Can a kankhajura bite?
Centipedes can bite if they are handled or trapped, for example inside a shoe or clothing. A bite can be painful and may cause swelling. Pest control is not medical advice: if someone is bitten, especially a child, an elderly person or anyone who reacts badly, please see a doctor.
Why centipedes come into the house
Moisture
Centipedes lose moisture easily, so they look for damp places. Bathrooms, wash areas, drains, under sinks and leaking pipes attract them.
Rain and flooding
During heavy monsoon rain, their hiding spots in soil, leaf litter and gardens get waterlogged. They move to drier shelter, which can mean your house.
Food
Homes with cockroaches, ants or other small insects give centipedes something to hunt.
Easy entry points
- Gaps under doors, especially doors to the garden or wash area
- Bathroom drains and floor traps without covers
- Cracks in walls and floors
- Gaps around pipes entering the house
- Open ventilator windows close to the ground
Where they hide inside
- Bathroom corners, behind buckets and under the washing area
- Under kitchen sinks and around drain pipes
- Store rooms, lofts and boxes kept on the floor
- Under cupboards, beds and shoe racks
- In potted plants and stacked items on balconies
How to stop kankhajura coming in
1. Reduce damp
- Fix leaking taps, pipes and cisterns
- Wipe the bathroom floor dry at night where possible
- Improve ventilation in bathrooms and store rooms
- Do not leave wet mops, cloths and buckets lying on the floor
2. Close the entry points
- Fit door sweeps or rubber strips under outer doors
- Use drain covers or mesh on bathroom and balcony drains
- Seal cracks in floors and walls and gaps around pipes
- Keep ground-floor ventilators screened
3. Clean up outside the house
- Clear leaf piles, stones, bricks and wood stacked against walls
- Keep plants and grass trimmed back from the walls
- Do not let garden waste pile up near doors
4. Reduce other insects
Because centipedes hunt insects, dealing with cockroaches and ants often reduces centipedes too. See cockroach control and bathroom pest control.
5. Store things off the floor
Keep shoes in closed racks, shake out shoes and clothes left on the floor, and store boxes on shelves rather than directly on the ground.
When to get professional help
It is a good idea to call for help if:
- You see centipedes regularly, not just once in a while
- They are coming out of drains or into bedrooms
- You have small children who play on the floor
- There is a garden or compound where they keep coming from
A professional visit starts by finding where they are entering and hiding. Treatment is usually focused on entry points, drains, damp corners and the outside perimeter, along with prevention advice for your home. Odourless options are available for many treatments, so ask when booking if that matters to you. Learn more on our centipede (kankhajura) control page.
Quick checklist
- Fix leaks and dry out bathrooms
- Cover drains and seal gaps under doors
- Clear stones, bricks and leaf piles near the walls
- Store items off the floor
- Shake out shoes before wearing them
- Deal with cockroaches and other insects
- See a doctor if anyone is bitten and has a reaction
Summary
Kankhajura come into homes looking for damp shelter and food, especially in the monsoon. Reducing moisture, closing entry points, clearing clutter near walls and controlling other insects are the steps that really help. If they keep appearing, a targeted treatment can be added.
Send us a photo and a short note on WhatsApp, or book a visit and we will take a look.
