Are house centipedes important?

HABITAT AND IMPORTANCE

House centipedes are actually beneficial because they capture flies, cockroaches, and other small household pests. They never damage plants or household items.

Do house centipedes have a purpose?

But like almost every other bug out there, this particular bug does have a purpose. And yes, that purpose is actually good. House centipedes are known for killing pests in your house that are completely unwelcome. They kill roaches, moths, flies, silverfish, and termites.

Should you keep house centipedes?

While it may be tempting to take care of this pest on your own, that doesn't mean you should. If you only have one or two house centipedes in your home, these pests can actually be beneficial. Not only do they stay out of your way, but they can also take care of other unsavory pests, like spiders or roaches.

Should I leave a centipede alone?

Centipedes are not harmful to you or your home. In fact, they actually make your home safer because they are carnivores that will eat other insects that can cause damage to your home. So, it's best to leave the centipede alone, even though you may be tempted to squash it on site.

Do centipedes clean your house?

House centipedes are known for killing the most unwelcome pests in your house — cockroaches, moths, flies, silverfish and termites. Centipedes use the two legs right near their head, which carries venom, and their other legs to scoop up the bug.

Why You Should Not Kill House Centipedes

What attracts house centipedes?

Centipedes feed on home-invading species like cockroaches and spiders, so an abundance of prey often lures these pests into homes. Residents may find centipedes in cement block walls, boxes, clutter on the floor, or floor drains. The warmth and safety of a heated home may also attract centipedes inside to reproduce.

How long do house centipedes last?

Centipedes have long lifespans.

The common house centipede can live for more than a year, while other species have been know to live for as long as 5-6 years. This lifespan is considered long among arthropods. Check out the Centipede Pest Guide to find some more centipede facts and learn about centipede prevention.

Do centipedes chase you?

And while a centipede dinner may not sound as appealing as turkey, there's usually a leg for everyone. 4. A centipede won't chase you around the room, the way most mosquitoes will. But, given the opportunity, they can (and will) bite you.

What happens if you touch a house centipede?

While house centipedes can inflict a bite, it is of minor consequence and it rarely does so. When given the chance, house centipedes prefer to quickly retreat from danger rather than bite. Typical symptoms from a house centipede bite are slight pain and swelling as their weak jaws rarely allow them to break skin.

Where do house centipedes go at night?

Centipedes are most active when temperatures get above 50°F. During the day, they will hide in damp, dark areas. At night, they will come out to hunt for food. If they are indoors, they might run toward you or up a wall when you enter a room and turn on the light, but don't worry!

How many house centipedes is too many?

While one or two centipedes in the basement may be acceptable, several more crawling around your bedroom and bathroom are not. We'll explain more about centipedes, when you should be concerned and the best strategies for dealing with them.

What eats house centipedes?

What Eats Centipedes and Millipedes? Centipedes and millipedes that make their homes outdoors are prey to shrews, toads, badgers and birds, including domestic chickens. Ground beetles, ants and spiders may also hunt young millipedes and centipedes.

Why do house centipedes legs fall off?

A few lost legs aren't a big deal in the world of a centipede, but loss of water is. These insects are especially prone to dehydration, which is why they love dark, damp environments, such as under leaf piles or in damp, rotting wood.

Why do house centipedes look so creepy?

Its creep factor is enormous. House centipedes don't walk or run as much as they glide, sort of like a spooky undulating feather magically levitating across the wall. They aren't tiny, either - a magnificent specimen can stretch the tape to 2 inches. That is big enough to elicit shrieks of terror.

Where do house centipedes go during the day?

During the day, they rest and bide their time in dark, damp, and confined shelters. House centipedes prefer to shelter near a source of moisture and food. Their climbing ability and small bodies make virtually any opening or structure large enough to harbor a resting centipede.

Do house centipedes go after humans?

Unless provoked to defend themselves, house centipedes rarely bite people or pets and mostly prefer trying to escape threatening situations. Also, although house centipede venom is not as toxic as some other centipede species and their bites rarely cause any serious effects.

Does killing a centipede attract more?

Even if you remove the dead centipede, you still have to clean up the fluids. The internal fluids can attract other insect-eating creatures and centipedes. If you kill a centipede using DE and leave it there, then other carnivorous insects would be attracted to it.

Should I be worried if I see a house centipede?

The first thing you need to do is relax. The only way the house centipede is dangerous is if you happen to be another insect such as a bed bug, cockroach, spider, termite, silverfish or other pest. In fact, what you have there is a tiny exterminator that can help get rid of other pests.

Can you not squish a centipede?

Not only are house centipedes killing the bugs you really don't want in your house, they also don't create any nests or webs. They are considered active hunters and are constantly looking for their next prey. Centipedes aren't eating your wood or carrying a fatal disease.

What happens if you hold a centipede?

Centipedes bite by puncturing skin with clawed, pointy legs located on their first body segment. They may bite if they're picked up or handled roughly. They may also bite if you accidentally step on one. All centipedes have the ability to bite, although some smaller species are not strong enough to puncture human skin.

What season do house centipedes come out?

Centipedes are beneficial to the control of other insects, which may be a good reason to keep them around. The most likely time of year to see centipedes in your home is in the spring or fall.

What is a centipede weakness?

The centipede weakness is their lacking the protective waxy coating other bugs have, which helps to maintain moisture. That means that they are prone to dehydration, and must stay in moist environments.

What prevents house centipedes?

Centipedes prefer moist, high humidity environments to live. To eliminate these areas, repair water leaks, use dehumidifiers to keep basements dry, and run exhaust fans in bathrooms and attics to help eliminate excess moisture.

What kills house centipedes instantly?

Insecticide Spray: If you find a centipede, killing one with an insecticide spray can put a quick end to your problem. Sprays with bifenthrin or cypermethrin will kill centipedes on sight with one quick shot.

What repels house centipedes?

Tea tree oil or Peppermint oil are overwhelming to centipedes. Add 25 drops of either essential oil into a spray bottle with 6 ounces of water. Spray around door frames, windows, small cracks and basement doors. Repeat once a week to keep centipedes away.