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House centipede against a white background - Keep house centipedes out of your home with City Termite & Pest Control in Malvern, AR

House Centipede

Actual Size: 1.5”

Characteristics: Long, flattened bodies with numerous pairs of legs. Bodies are typically yellowish-gray to brown, with darker stripes or markings along their length.

Legs: Up to 30

Antennae: No

Wings: No

Habitat: Attracted to areas with moisture. Outside, they are found beneath leaves and stones. Inside, they are often in basements, crawl spaces, bathrooms, and more.

Habits:

  • Possess fangs, which they use to inject venom into their prey.  
  • Their venom is toxic to insects but it is generally harmless to humans. 
  • Attracted to dark, moist areas such as basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces.
  • Feed on a variety of pests such as spiders, ants, bed bugs, cockroaches, and silverfish.

House Centipedes in Central Arkansas

House centipedes are commonly found throughout the United States and boast an impressive fifteen pairs of very long, slender legs. They also have a pair of long antennae on their head and a pair of large, multi-faceted eyes that help them navigate and locate food. Despite their scary looks, they’re actually helpful invertebrates. Homeowners benefit from their pest-controlling abilities, as they prey on cockroaches and spiders. If you accidentally encounter one in your sink or bathtub, it can be quite startling. Outdoors, house centipedes are harmless, but indoors, they may be considered pests when sharing living spaces with us.

House Centipede Habitat

House centipedes are attracted to moisture and can be found outside under stones, and boards, or House centipedes are drawn to moisture and can be found outdoors under stones, boards, or sticks, as well as beneath damp leaf litter and other organic debris. When they venture indoors, they tend to frequent moist cellars, damp closets, and bathrooms. These agile creatures feed on insects and spiders. If you disturb them, they swiftly scuttle toward dark hiding spots. If you notice an abundance of house centipedes, it might signal an underlying moisture issue in your home that needs addressing.

House Centipede Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

House centipedes wield venomous claws tucked behind their heads, which they employ to poison and paralyze their prey, which is typically small insects. Although their weak jaws can break human skin, their bites usually result in mild swelling and pain, comparable to a bee sting. These creatures fall into the category of nuisance pests. When they venture into your yard, it’s often because they’re foraging for food. Be cautious near your exterior walls, especially if some open cracks or crevices might inadvertently grant them access to your home.

If you are dealing with house centipedes on your property, contact your local exterminators.