When you see something long and leggy darting across the floor of your bathroom or perhaps along the wall in your basement, your initial instinct will be to squash it. But before you reach out to grab a shoe, think carefully about the action because this fast-moving intruder is indeed one of the most beneficial arthropods you will ever have in a home.
House centipedes are rather interesting and efficient predators that serve to intervene in the population of pests within the household. Despite this creepy appearance, the creature symbolizes a harmless organism to man. This is one to be enlisted as a self-exterminator.
What Does a House Centipede Look Like?
The house centipede has a recognizable elongated flattened body (about 1 to 1.5 inches long, but legs can make it look much longer), possesses 15 pairs of long, delicate legs (one leg pair per body segment, with the last one trailing behind like antennae), and striped or banded legs, making their overall appearance distinctive, even almost “feathery.” Fast, erratic movements allow them to dash quickly across surfaces.
Their speed and agility make for excellent hunters, capable of chasing down prey with ease.
Why You Should Never Kill a House Centipede
House centipedes are creepy to look at, but they are nature’s pest control. Here are the reasons you should allow them to live:
1. They Hunt and Eat Other Pests
House centipedes feed on a variety of common household pests, including:
- Cockroaches
- Spiders
- Silverfish
- Ants
- Termites
- Bed bugs (in some cases)
- Carpet beetles
One single centipede can consume dozens of unwanted insects, which frees you from the high cost and need for pest control chemicals.
2. They Are Harmless to Human Beings
House centipedes:
- Do not damage property, such as termites or carpenter ants.
- Do not spread diseases like mosquitoes or cockroaches.
- Do not bite humans, but even if they do, the bite is so mild that it does not hurt anyone (much like a bee sting, but only if you are allergic).
Myths About House Centipedes
Myth: They Are Dangerous
Fact: Their venom does not affect humans seriously from a medical point of view. They are shy and will run off instead of attacking.
Myth: They Infest Homes in Large Numbers
Fact: They are solitary hunters and do not create colonies like ants or termites.
Myth: They Crawl Their Way into Your Ears or Mouth While You Sleep.
Fact: An urban legend; really, centipedes are not interested in humans serving as hosts.
What to Do When You See a House Centipede
Before you kill it, try:
- Relocation – Capture in a cup and release in the basement or garage for feeding on any pest.
- Moisture control – Repair any leaks and use a dehumidifier to make it less hospitable for them.
- Seal entries – Seal all cracks and gaps to deny other pests entrance.
Conclusion: A Friend, Not a Foe
It may seem scary, but house centipedes are one of the most valuable organisms to have in the home. They serve as natural, chemical-free exterminators for those nasty insect pests. The next time you see one, try not to squash it but to appreciate its help in keeping your home free from more annoying intruders.
Would you rather have a few house centipedes or a full-blown infestation of cockroaches and spiders? Easy choice!
