Centipedes are common, fast-moving arthropods sometimes found inside homes. When encountering a smaller, juvenile centipede, people often worry if these tiny versions pose a threat. All centipedes are venomous predators throughout their entire life cycle, including their youngest stages. Understanding the capabilities of these smaller creatures and how to identify them can help alleviate concern.
The Truth About Juvenile Centipede Bites
Centipedes do not technically “bite” using chewing mouthparts. Instead, they deliver a venomous injection using specialized, modified front legs called forcipules. These pincer-like appendages curve around the head, grasping prey and injecting venom produced by a gland at their base. The venom apparatus is developed and functional even in juvenile centipedes, giving them the physical capability to inject venom.
Juveniles can inflict a defensive sting if they feel threatened, such as when accidentally handled or pressed against the skin. Due to their smaller size and weaker musculature, they inject a much smaller volume of venom than large adults. Symptoms are generally less severe because the amount of venom delivered relates directly to the centipede’s size. For many small centipedes, their forcipules are often not strong enough to penetrate human skin.
Identifying Baby Centipedes
Juvenile centipedes look like miniature versions of adults, sharing the same flattened, segmented body structure. The most obvious difference is size, as they are significantly smaller, sometimes measuring less than half an inch long. Some species, like the common house centipede, hatch with fewer pairs of legs than adults. They gradually gain more legs with each molt, a process called anamorphic development, until they reach the adult count. The juvenile’s color and markings typically match the adult, such as the grayish-yellow body and three dark stripes characteristic of the house centipede. Seeing a very small centipede often indicates that breeding is occurring nearby, potentially inside the home.
Symptoms and First Aid for a Centipede Encounter
A centipede sting, even from a small juvenile, typically results in immediate, localized pain comparable to a bee sting. Severity varies by species and individual sensitivity. Initial pain is often followed by redness, mild swelling, and a burning sensation at the site of the two small puncture marks. These localized symptoms usually resolve on their own within a few hours to a couple of days.
First aid focuses on cleaning the wound and managing discomfort. The first step is to immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water to minimize the risk of infection.
First Aid Steps
- Applying a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 10 to 15 minutes can help reduce swelling and numb the pain.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can be used to manage discomfort.
- Antihistamines or hydrocortisone cream may help if localized itching or inflammation is present.
- Ensure a recent tetanus vaccination is up-to-date due to the puncture wound nature of the sting.
While rare, a severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis, is possible. Signs like difficulty breathing, widespread hives, or swelling of the throat require immediate emergency medical attention. Medical consultation is also recommended if the pain intensifies, the swelling or redness spreads, or if signs of infection, such as fever or pus, develop.
Where Do Centipedes Live and How to Control Them
Centipedes are moisture-loving arthropods that thrive in damp, dark environments, often found outside under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and mulch beds. They are nocturnal predators that enter homes seeking stable, humid environments or hunting prey like spiders and cockroaches. Their presence indoors often signals a pre-existing moisture problem or another insect infestation.
The most effective control strategy is environmental management focused on reducing moisture and eliminating access points.
Environmental Control
Inside the home, use dehumidifiers in basements and crawl spaces and ensure proper ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens to make the environment less hospitable. Outside, remove potential hiding spots by clearing leaf debris, keeping firewood away from the foundation, and raking back mulch to create a dry barrier.
Sealing potential entry points is a preventative measure. Use caulk to fill cracks and crevices in the foundation, around utility pipes, and near door and window frames. Eliminating their food source by controlling other household pests will also make the home less attractive.