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What You Should Know Before Killing That House Centipede
With their long, flattened bodies and dozens of rapidly moving legs, centipedes are unmistakable—and often unwelcome—houseguests. But while their appearance may be unsettling, these little arthropods might not be the threat you think they are.
Let’s explore what centipedes really are, whether they’re dangerous, and why you might want to think twice before reaching for that shoe.
Meet the Centipede
Centipedes are elongated, worm-like creatures with between fifteen and seventy-seven pairs of legs, depending on their age and species. Their coloring ranges from yellow to dark brown, and they have small mouths with venom glands they use to subdue prey. Though they can bite, centipede bites are rarely dangerous to humans or pets. At most, you might experience some mild irritation or redness.
Five Fascinating Facts About Centipedes
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Their leg count changes over time
Centipedes gain more legs as they molt and grow. If they lose legs during molting, they can regenerate them over time through additional molts. -
They’re ancient survivors
Centipedes have been crawling the Earth for over 400 million years, making them one of the oldest known land-dwelling animals. -
They move faster than you’d expect
Thanks to their segmented bodies and many legs, some centipedes can move over a foot in under a second. -
They’re versatile hunters
Smaller centipedes prey on insects, worms, and spiders. Larger species are capable of taking down prey much bigger than themselves, including frogs and even small reptiles. -
They can live surprisingly long lives
Some species, like the common house centipede, can live up to six years. In rare cases, some can survive as long as a decade.
Natural Predators of Centipedes
Despite their hunting prowess, centipedes are preyed upon by several animals. Birds, beetles, frogs, mice, snakes, and certain spiders will happily eat them—particularly younger or smaller individuals.
The Case for Keeping House Centipedes Around
If you spot a house centipede in your basement or bathroom, your first instinct might be to get rid of it. But here’s why you may want to reconsider.
House centipedes are natural pest controllers. They feed on insects like cockroaches, silverfish, moths, and even spiders. Unlike other pests, they don’t build nests, don’t damage food or furniture, and don’t reproduce in large colonies inside your home.
In small numbers, house centipedes can be beneficial. They quietly reduce other, more troublesome pests—and they tend to avoid human interaction.
When Centipedes Become a Problem
That said, an abundance of centipedes could signal a larger issue. If you’re seeing many of them, it might indicate a bigger infestation of other pests that they’re feeding on.
Centipedes also live for several years. While one or two may not be a cause for concern, a persistent presence or a visible population increase should be taken seriously.
The Smart Solution: Call a Professional
If centipedes are making too many appearances—or you suspect an underlying pest issue—call a pest control expert. Professionals can inspect your home, identify root causes, and create a treatment plan that deals with centipedes and their food sources without disrupting your home environment.
Final Thoughts
Centipedes may not be the monsters they appear to be. In fact, in small numbers, they’re often more helpful than harmful. But like any pest, they can become a problem if left unchecked.
Understanding their role in your home ecosystem is key to deciding how to manage them. So before you squash that centipede, consider whether it’s really an enemy—or an unlikely ally.
