Seeing a quick, multi-legged creature dart across the floor is a common and startling experience. Frequent sightings of these arthropods, often called house centipedes (Scutigera coleoptrata), usually point to a favorable environment within your structure that provides them with both shelter and sustenance. Their presence indicates an underlying environmental condition that must be addressed to eliminate the recurring problem.
Identifying the Centipedes in Your Home
The Scutigera coleoptrata is easily recognized by its distinctive appearance. The adult centipede’s body is typically one to one and a half inches long, but the long, delicate legs and antennae make it appear much larger, sometimes three to four inches in length. The body is yellowish-gray, marked by three distinct dark stripes running lengthwise.
These creatures possess 15 pairs of legs, with the last pair being especially long and tail-like. They move with a rapid, undulating motion across floors and walls. House centipedes are nocturnal and prefer to hide in dark, secluded spots during the day. They seek out high humidity and darkness, often found in basements, bathrooms, crawlspaces, and closets.
The Primary Reasons Centipedes Are Drawn Inside
Centipedes are drawn into human dwellings by two primary environmental factors: moisture and food. House centipedes lack a waxy outer layer, meaning they lose water easily and require high-humidity environments to survive. This need for dampness explains why they are frequently seen near plumbing leaks, in laundry rooms, or in areas with poor ventilation where moisture accumulates.
The second major draw is their diet, as these arthropods are active, nocturnal predators. Their presence indicates a pre-existing population of other small household pests, which serve as their prey. House centipedes feed on common invaders, including silverfish, spiders, ants, cockroaches, termites, and carpet beetle larvae. Consistent sightings confirm a secondary infestation is providing them with a steady supply of meals.
Understanding the Risk and Potential Harm
While the sight of a house centipede can be unsettling, these creatures pose minimal risk to humans and pets. Centipedes are venomous, but they use modified front legs called forcipules to inject venom into their prey. They are non-aggressive and will typically flee when disturbed, preferring to retreat from danger rather than engage.
A house centipede bite, often described as a pinch or sting, is a rare event that usually only occurs if the creature is trapped or handled roughly. If a bite does happen, the venom is not considered dangerous to humans, and the reaction is usually comparable to a mild bee sting. Symptoms are generally limited to localized pain, minor swelling, and redness, which typically resolves within 48 hours. They do not damage wood, fabrics, or food stores.
Strategic Methods for Eliminating Centipede Sightings
Long-term elimination requires addressing the environmental conditions that attract centipedes, focusing on moisture control and prey eradication.
Moisture Control
The first step is reducing high humidity levels in areas like basements and crawlspaces, which can be accomplished by running a dehumidifier or ensuring proper ventilation. Promptly fix any leaky pipes, dripping faucets, or plumbing issues that contribute to damp conditions.
Prey Elimination
Eliminating the centipede’s food source is an equally important measure, as their presence confirms other pests are available. This requires implementing control strategies for the secondary infestation of insects like silverfish or spiders. You can use sticky traps to monitor pest activity or apply residual insecticides to baseboards and entry points to reduce the population of prey.
Exclusion
Physically excluding centipedes prevents them from entering the structure. Inspect the foundation, exterior walls, and window frames for cracks, gaps, or crevices, and seal these openings with caulk or foam. Installing door sweeps on exterior doors and repairing torn window screens will also eliminate common entry points for centipedes and their prey.