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Last night, we had the opportunity to host our very first Kilauea Pest Control Gratitude Night. Held at the Old Spaghetti Factory, the event brought together local professionals and partners for an evening of food, fun, and meaningful conversation.

Celebrating Our Community

Gratitude Night was all about saying thank you to the people who support our team and allow us to do what we do best.

Rather than sending a simple “thank you” via email, we wanted to create a space where we could connect with the people behind the businesses. It was a chance to talk story, answer questions, hear feedback, and build stronger relationships with the individuals we work with every day.

Why It Mattered

At Kilauea, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s our customers or the organizations we partner with, we know that trust and communication make all the difference.

Events like this remind us that pest control isn’t just a service — it’s a partnership. Taking the time to step away from the day-to-day and celebrate those connections felt important, and we’re grateful to everyone who made it out.

And to those who couldn’t join us this time — we felt your support and truly appreciate the role you play in our Kilauea community. We hope to see you at the next one!

Looking Ahead

The success of our first Gratitude Night left us inspired. We’re already thinking about how we can host more gatherings like this in the future — events that bring our partners together, allow us to listen, and celebrate the work we’re doing together across Hawaiʻi.

To everyone who joined us: mahalo. We’re honored to work with you, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.

—Want to stay in the loop for future events?
Make sure we have your updated contact info or connect with our team — we’d love to keep you posted.

Written by someone who is 1000% not emotionally prepared for centipedes.

If you’ve lived in Hawai‘i long enough, there’s a good chance you’ve turned on the bathroom light at 2 a.m. and caught a blur of reddish-brown lightning darting across the tile. That’s not a ghost. That’s a centipede…one of the creepiest, crawliest roommates you never asked for.

Let me just say right now: centipedes are my #1 fear. And it is a very good thing I’m not one of our pest control technicians. If I showed up at your house and you told me there was a centipede inside, I’d simply hand you a business card and back away slowly.

So with that said… here’s everything I’ve learned about these nightmares(so you don’t have to).

Vietnamese Centipedes

(aka: Nope. Just nope.)

These guys are long, fast, and way too armored for anyone’s comfort. They can grow up to 8 inches long and are usually reddish-brown with yellow legs. And yes, they bite. The bite isn’t medically dangerous for most people, but it hurts and I will be calling my mom and animal control if it happens.

Worse? They stick around. These centipedes can live up to 6 years. So that one you saw last week might be roaming around for awhile. 

Reproduction: Nope²

Centipede moms lay 20 to 50 eggs at a time (why though?), and they curl around the eggs protectively until they hatch. That usually happens in about 1 to 2 months. Babies take 1 to 3 years to become full-sized. So if you’ve seen one adult, there’s a chance you’re already mid-cycle. I know. I’m sorry.

Where They Hide

Dark, moist places are their favorite. Think:

• Under rocks, leaf piles, and yard clutter
  
• Inside shoes or towels left outside
  
• Gaps around doors or windows
  
• Cracks in the walls
  
• Bathroom corners (why is it always the bathroom?)
  

They especially like to sneak indoors when it’s raining. I like rain. They ruin it.

How to Keep Centipedes Out

Okay, here’s where we actually get helpful. If you’re also trying to never see one again:

• Declutter your yard — fewer hiding spots
  
• Seal cracks and gaps — check around doors, windows, and the foundation
  
• Dry things out — fix leaks and avoid standing water
  
• Shake everything — shoes, towels, surf booties, gym bags
  

Anything damp and dark is an invitation for a centipede.

Okay… Are They Good for Anything?

Fine. Here’s the part where I admit: yes, centipedes do serve a purpose.
They help control other pests like:

• Roaches
  
• Termites
  
• Crickets
  
• Silverfish
  

They’re technically predators that keep the ecosystem in check. So if you’re the type of person who thinks, “Hey, at least they’re eating the roaches,” I’m happy for you.

But if you’re like me, you’re thinking,

“Cool. I still don’t want them in my house. Or near my house. Or near my shoes. Ever.”

In Summary: No Thank You

Seeing one centipede doesn’t always mean you have an infestation, but it could be the result of a slow-building, multi-year centipede family plan already happening on your property.

If they’re showing up inside, it’s probably time to call in the pros. The brave ones. Not me.
Call or contact Kilauea Pest Control if you want help kicking centipedes out of your space for good. We’ll send someone way braver than me, promise.

So… you’re hearing scratching in the ceiling. Or maybe you’ve spotted black grains of rice under the sink. Whatever tipped you off, one thing’s clear: you’ve got rodents. Welcome to the club no one wants to be in.

Rats and mice are year-round troublemakers in Hawaiʻi, but they especially love crashing your home during heavy rains. Why? Because your cozy kitchen looks a lot better than a soggy storm drain.

But before you panic-buy traps or pour peppermint oil into every corner of the house, let’s talk about a real long-term fix: rodent exclusion.

What Is Rodent Exclusion?

Great question. Rodent exclusion is the pest control version of locking the front door—and the back door, side windows, crawlspace, and that tiny gap by the dryer vent.

It means sealing up every possible entry point a rodent might use to sneak in. We’re talking:

• Gaps around pipes, vents, and electrical lines
  
• Roofline openings and crawlspaces
  
• Attic vents with no screens
  
• Vegetation giving rodents a free ladder to your roof
  
• Cracked foundation areas or missing door sweeps
  

Think of it like pest-proofing your home the way you baby-proof a house… except the babies in this scenario have whiskers, tails, and an agenda.

DIY vs. Pro Help: What’s Best?

If you’re handy with a caulking gun and aren’t squeamish around rat droppings, you might be tempted to take the DIY route—and hey, more power to you. But even seasoned homeowners may miss things that a trained eye wouldn’t. Rodents are sneaky little escape artists.

And here’s the thing: even the strongest, safest, most well-built homes can have imperfections. A hairline crack in the foundation, a warped door sweep, or a little gap around a vent. Tiny flaws like these are all it takes for a determined rodent to squeeze its way in. It’s not a sign your home is failing; it’s just the reality of wear, weather, and how persistent pests can be.

Here’s where the pros (ahem, us) come in:

• Full-Home Inspections: We’ll find even the tiniest hidey-holes rodents are using
  
• Local Expertise: Our team knows what rats in Hawaiʻi are up to (and trust us, they’re busy)
  
• Follow-Up Support: We don’t just slap on a screen and wish you luck—we stick around
  

Rodents + Rain = A Perfect Storm

Weather on the islands can go from sunny to sideways in five minutes. And when it does, rodents go looking for drier ground—which often ends up being your floor.

That’s why exclusion matters most before the storm hits. Don’t wait until there’s something nesting in the attic to start sealing up the house.

Final Thought: Traps Help, But Exclusion Wins

Yes, traps and baits can lower the headcount. But if you don’t stop them from getting in, it’s just an ongoing game of rodent whack-a-mole.

Exclusion is the long-term strategy that actually works. And whether you DIY it or call in the Kilauea team, you deserve a home that’s rodent-free, stress-free, and chew-mark-free.

Ready to Kick Rats Out for Good?

Our exclusion team is on deck—whether you want a second opinion or a full home defense plan.
Give us a call or book your free inspection today.