House centipedes (Scutigera coleoptrata) are common arthropods often encountered in homes across the United States. Their distinctive appearance and rapid movements spark curiosity about their behavior. Understanding when these creatures are most active provides insights into their habits and how they interact with their environment. This article explores their specific activity patterns and indoor presence.
Their Activity Patterns
House centipedes are primarily nocturnal. During the day, these creatures seek refuge in dark, damp, and secluded locations. This nocturnal behavior helps them avoid predators active in daylight and also allows them to hunt for prey more effectively.
Their activity is characterized by quick, darting movements across floors or walls. They can move approximately 1.3 feet per second. This rapid locomotion is facilitated by their numerous long legs, allowing them to pursue prey swiftly. They use their sensitive antennae to navigate and locate food sources in low-light conditions.
The preference for nighttime activity also helps house centipedes manage their moisture levels. Being active when humidity is higher reduces their risk of drying out. When disturbed by light, they move quickly to find a darkened hiding spot. Their presence is often revealed when a light is turned on in a dark room, causing them to scatter.
Why They Are Found Indoors
House centipedes often enter homes in search of favorable environmental conditions and abundant food sources. They are drawn to areas with high moisture and cooler temperatures, which mimic their preferred outdoor habitats under rocks, logs, or leaf litter. Basements, bathrooms, and damp closets are common indoor locations where they thrive due to consistent humidity.
Their primary motivation for inhabiting homes is the presence of other household pests, which serve as their prey. House centipedes feed on a variety of common indoor insects and arthropods, including cockroaches, silverfish, spiders, bed bugs, and flies. A noticeable increase in house centipede sightings may indicate a larger infestation of these other pests.
Centipedes gain entry into homes through small openings such as cracks in foundations, gaps around windows and doors, or unsealed vents. They can squeeze through narrow spaces, making it challenging to completely block their access. During colder months or periods of extreme dryness outdoors, they may seek the warmth and shelter of indoor environments.
Identifying House Centipedes
Identifying a house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) is based on distinct physical characteristics. These arthropods have a yellowish-gray body, measuring about 1 to 1.5 inches in length. They have three dark longitudinal stripes that run down their backs.
They have 15 pairs of long, slender legs, with each leg encircled by alternating dark and white bands. The last pair of legs on females can be almost twice their body length, and these, along with their long antennae, contribute to their overall elongated appearance. Their rapid and undulating movement, often described as “scurrying,” also helps identify them. This combination of numerous legs, speed, and specific coloration distinguishes them from other common household arthropods.