{"id":9140,"date":"2024-08-30T17:43:06","date_gmt":"2024-08-30T15:43:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sereni-d.com\/non-classifiee\/scutigere-veloce\/"},"modified":"2025-03-20T18:08:48","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T17:08:48","slug":"velocifera-a-natural-predator-of-bed-bugs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sereni-d.com\/en\/news\/velocifera-a-natural-predator-of-bed-bugs\/","title":{"rendered":"Velocifera: a natural predator of bed bugs?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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In cinemas, hotel rooms, transport and housing, interventions against bed bug infestations increased by 65% in 2023 (source<\/a>). Various methods, most of them chemical, are used to get rid of this little human blood-sucking insect. But did you know that there is a natural predator of bed bugs? It’s called the velvet skutigere<\/strong>, a millipede that may not be very attractive, but it’s very voracious. Here’s how it works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introducing the velocety bedbug<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The swift centipede (or Scutigera coleoptrata<\/em>) is a small centipede distinguished by its long legs and astonishing speed. Native to Mediterranean regions, it is now widespread in many homes around the world<\/strong>, including France. This nocturnal creature is often feared because of its appearance, but it plays an essential role in the ecosystem of our homes. It is a formidable hunter of unwanted insects<\/strong>, including spiders, flies, cockroaches… and potentially bed bugs.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"The<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Velocets: how effective are they against bed bugs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Yes, the velvet flea is capable of feeding on bed bugs. However, it is not a miracle solution for eliminating an infestation<\/strong>. Bed bugs reproduce at far too fast a rate for scutigers to be able to eliminate them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What’s more, since these millipedes are rather discreet and nocturnal, it’s unlikely that there will be enough of them in a home to provide a real solution to a bed bug infestation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The limits of natural predators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As pointed out in several studies, including one by entomologists, natural predators of bed bugs, such as the swift skutig\u00e8re, are not very effective on a large scale<\/strong>. In fact, it’s difficult to rely on these predators to completely solve an infestation problem. Their presence in a home may reduce the number of pests, but it’ s not enough to eliminate all parasites<\/strong>, especially given bedbugs’ rapid reproductive cycle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good to know:<\/strong> there are other potential natural predators of bed bugs. These include spiders, cockroaches, myths and pharaoh ants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to combat bed bugs effectively?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To get rid of bed bugs, it’s essential to adopt a combined prevention and treatment approach<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following actions are recommended:<\/p>\n\n\n\n