If you’ve ever come across a house centipede scurrying across your floor or clinging to your basement ceiling, chances are your first instinct was to grab something and squash it. With their long legs, fast movements, and creepy-crawly appearance, house centipedes can be unsettling to say the least. It’s easy to understand why so many people react with fear or disgust when they see one in their home. However, before you reach for a shoe or a rolled-up newspaper, you might want to take a moment to reconsider. As creepy as they may look, house centipedes are not the enemy. In fact, they can actually be one of your best allies in keeping your home free of other pests. It turns out that house centipedes are natural-born pest control agents, and letting them do their job might be one of the smartest things you can do.
House centipedes are skilled predators that hunt and feed on some of the most common and unwanted pests found in homes. They prey on ants, spiders, cockroaches, silverfish, bed bugs, termites, and other small insects. Essentially, they target the bugs you probably don’t want lurking in your home. Unlike other pests, house centipedes aren’t harmful to humans. They’re not poisonous or venomous in any way that poses a danger to people or pets. They don’t bite unless provoked, and even then, their bite is usually harmless, much like a mild bee sting. But more importantly, they don’t carry diseases, they don’t damage property, and they don’t infest food. So while they might look scary, they’re generally harmless and, in many ways, helpful to have around.
If the idea of sharing your home with house centipedes makes you uncomfortable, you’re not alone. Most people aren’t thrilled to see bugs crawling around inside their house, even if they serve a purpose. However, instead of killing them, you can gently capture them and release them outside. All you need is a glass jar and a piece of stiff paper. Scoop the centipede into the jar, cover it, and take it outside to a cool, damp area like under a bush or near a pile of leaves. That way, they can continue hunting for pests without giving you the heebie-jeebies inside your home.
Understanding where house centipedes like to hide can help you know where you’re most likely to encounter them. These bugs prefer dark, damp, and secluded places where other insects are likely to be found. Common spots include basements, bathrooms, closets, under sinks, and laundry rooms. They tend to stay hidden during the day and come out at night to hunt. According to the Department of Entomology at Penn State University, house centipedes originally came from the Mediterranean region, but they’ve since spread to homes all over the world. They often enter houses through small cracks or gaps in foundations, around windows and doors, or even through drains that don’t have water traps. They can also be found under concrete slabs, inside cement block walls, and in areas where cardboard boxes are stored directly on concrete floors.
If you’d prefer not to see house centipedes at all, there are steps you can take to discourage them from moving in. Start by addressing any moisture issues in your home. Centipedes are drawn to damp environments, so using a dehumidifier in basements and bathrooms can help. Fix any plumbing leaks and make sure your home is well-ventilated to reduce humidity. Keeping your home clean and free of clutter will also reduce the number of hiding spots for centipedes and their prey. If you suspect you have a larger pest problem, set out sticky traps to monitor insect activity and identify the source of the issue. Make sure that piles of leaves, wood, or compost are kept away from the sides of your house, as these can attract insects that in turn attract centipedes.
If you find yourself dealing with an overwhelming number of house centipedes, it may be time to call a pest control professional. They can help identify the root cause of the infestation and recommend a treatment plan to get it under control. But remember, house centipedes generally won’t bother you if you don’t bother them. They’re more interested in hunting down other insects than interacting with people. So the next time you spot one scuttling along your wall, consider giving it a pass. It’s likely doing you a favor by keeping more bothersome pests at bay. Let them do their job, and you might find your home becomes a lot less attractive to the bugs you really don’t want around.
