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Centipedes

Summary: Giant centipedes once roamed the earth, or should I say, slithered along the earth. Either way, it would have required a lot more than your average pest control professional to rid a home of one of those big fellows.

Centipedes are highly evolved predators. Evidence in the fossil records shows that the modern day centipede had ancestors living 420 million years ago. Giant centipedes were among the very first land predators. In prehistoric times they could grow to over a meter long. That is one arthropod I would not want to tangle with. (An example of one was in the new King Kong movie.)

Today, centipedes are smaller; the largest specimens living in tropical climates can grow up to a foot in length. Most centipedes are smaller than that, usually only a few inches in length. Each of their body segments has a pair of legs. Small centipedes might have fifteen legs, while the largest have as many as 191. The large number of legs helps the centipede move very quickly and they make them seem larger than they really are. Centipedes can be distinguished from millipedes because millipedes have two legs per body segment.

Centipedes are beneficial insects because they feed on pests like cockroaches and crickets. Large centipedes sometimes feed on small birds, reptiles, and even bats. They attack by wrapping their long, modified back legs around the victim and then attacking it with two front legs that have been adapted into poisonous pincers.

Centipedes are not dangerous to humans, but they do have venom and they have pincers that deliver a painful bite. Most people report that the bite is no more painful than a bee sting, but some people claim that the larger centipede species have a bite that is extremely painful. Apply ice to a centipede bite to reduce pain and swelling. As a rule, the larger the centipede the more potent and painful the poison.

Centipedes are hunters and they need moist environments. Most centipedes only come indoors in search of food and soon die if they do not return to the outside. There are some types of centipedes that are known as indoor or house centipedes. These centipedes are usually shorter in length, maybe one or two inches, but they have much longer legs than outdoor centipedes. They have very long back legs and long antennae extending from their head. These centipedes move very quickly and can surprise someone who isn't expecting such rapid movement.

The best way to prevent centipedes from entering the home is to reduce moisture from around the house. Make sure that the gutters are moving water away from the foundation of your house. Also, clean up any leaf piles or wet mulch that has accumulated around your house. Centipedes have flat bodies, so they can squeeze through small cracks. Seal up small cracks around the foundation of your house to keep the centipedes out. If these measures are not sufficient you might want to apply a barrier pesticide around the outside of your house. Talstar granules, a liquid treatment of Onslaught pesticide or an application of diatomaceous earth will prevent centipedes from coming inside. These pesticides will also help keep out bugs that the centipede likes to feed on. I know I don't want anything with more than four legs inside my house, so centipedes are a definite no-no.

Supposedly, centipedes have two brains, one on either side of their body. The claim is that you have to squash both ends of a centipede if you want to kill one. This is untrue. Centipedes have a head on only one side of their body and they will die if cut in half. Centipedes can detach some legs to help them escape from predators, but the notion that centipedes can regenerate body parts was confused with earthworms, which do have that ability. Now you know in case that ever comes up on a TV quiz show.

Comments

Kelly
09 Jan 2010, 12:42

I live in an apartment in Chicago and have gotten centipedes during the changing seasons. They have been gone for quite some time but on this frigid day in chi-town I just found one and killed him. My landlord was admiring my 1890'2 restored furniture when he had a thought that they might be living in my furniture. They were restored in November but they kept some of the original fill to keep it's original quality. Do you think they could live in there? Is there a way to resolve the issue? I am freaked out about my "new" fabulous furniture.

Thank you!

scott
20 Feb 2010, 16:20

I live in a highrise apt, on the 13th floor and have been encountering centipedes for a few weeks now. I get at least 5-6 a week! I just noticed one in the bathroom tub crawling up the tub. Wondering if these guys are coming in from the drain. The bathtub faucet always leaks a little, so it's rather moist. Otherwise, how the heck could these things be getting into the aptartment?? We are very tidy, clean people and have a pet cat that we clean up after very well. Not sure if that is an attraction for the bugs. HELP!

emma
04 Apr 2010, 00:23

I saw a huge centipede in the living room and I did some research about where they live and I am scared because I live in the middle of a forest a moist dark mulch filled forest also known as a centipede hotspot what do I do.

Tamara Encarnacion
13 Apr 2010, 17:38

Hey this is Tammy I have just seen a lot of baby centipede, but yet to see the big mama how will I know once I take off my light it will go on top of me lord have mercy on me my husband and both of my boys.Please give me a solution in killing these things. Thanks much!

Rebecca
18 May 2010, 19:15

I am on this website reading about this little creature for one reason only. I encountered one last night in my bedroom. I was sitting on the floor minding my own business when all of a sudden, something darted swiftly, and I mean FAST across my leg and beside a speaker. I was like, what in the world, I looked at it, it was still looking at me, until it finally turned around and scurried off behind some papers. I couldnt identify it, I thought it was a cricket or spider. Then it darted across the room from an opposite direction literally traveling 5 feet in less then 3 seconds. I thought to myself I gotta get this OUT. I can't sleep, so I put a jar over it. Then examined it safely. It looked like a lil lobster. I caught it in the jar and displaced it outside in the back yard. OMG, I hope I don't encounter another one. I'm glad it didn't sting me. It didn't seem aggressive, it could have, but didn't.

siama
20 May 2010, 02:04

First off let me say, I hate centipedes so bad, and I think the ones that lives in the islands are the worst!A few yrs back my 7 yr old brother was bitten by a huge black centipede about 9inches long,he was sick for about 3days and had a really bad fever, my moms had to take him to the ER and they gave him some type of injection and antibiotics, so speaking on experience whenever you see a centipede try to kill em dead, small or big, to me they're all DANGEROUS!

Rebecca
03 Jun 2010, 05:05

Omg, I have just encountered yet another one of these terrifying bugs in my bedroom. I was lying on the bed, light off, tv on...and noticed something crawling swiftly across one of the pillows. I groaned, another house centipede! What are these things doing in MY room? It ran off behind some stuff. After standing on a chair for nearly an hour waiting for it to come back out so I could catch it. I gave up cause it never did. I am just gonna sleep on the couch downstairs. They are soooo scary.

Charlis
07 Jun 2010, 16:53

Dear Mr. Steinau,
Glad to finally see some pictures of the creepiest home invaders I have encountered. I recently purched a house with a creek behind my home with a good size lot in the middle. They are coming in every week now and really bugging me!!! Dormant in the winter but June is here in TN and they are in site once every few days.....even bit me in the shower! I am on a slab and have 3 dogs. What is the best way to prevent these fast, biting, creepy critter? Should I spray something between the siding and the brick beneath? The dogs cannot get to that point. I have loads of spiders I am sure they are coming in after.

Ask the Exterminator
07 Jun 2010, 21:29

Email me via the "Ask the Exterminator a Question" button at the top of the page and I'll work with you on this problem.

Jay
15 Jun 2010, 01:24

Here's my question for all of you who said something like "i was sitting there and one ran across my leg" or "i was lying in bed and one ran across the pillow" or anyone who has been bitten by one.....................................................how.....HOW R YOU SANE ENOUGH TO EVEN BE TYPING THAT MESSAGE. i would be burning off that area of my skin...i would have gone completely insane.

vick
17 Jun 2010, 06:57

no,the house ones are harmless,but do bite ,it hurts like a bee.

Tony
26 Jun 2010, 20:24

HOW DO YOU KILL CENTIPEDES? How do you prevent them from entering the home. Are there any non-pesticied methods.

Ask the Exterminator
26 Jun 2010, 23:11

Many of the answers you seek are in the article on this page. For non-pesticide products take a look at Eco Exampt granules at http://shop.asktheexterminator.com/eco-exempt-g-granules.html.

Rebecca
27 Jun 2010, 19:12

Jay,

I understand but really one cannot help it, if one of them happens to run across the floor, or even on us. Especially, if we are sleeping. I've never been stung, and they are not aggressive. They are not looking to sting us, but if they get caught off gaurd they will sting in defense. Don't handle one, and if you catch one to put it outside, handle it carefully. I have sense moved out of that house, not because of the house centipedes! I hope the new tenants realize that these lil buggers have taken up residence there.

kristin
01 Jul 2010, 06:19

i saw the first centipede in my house today and im freaking out. i dont want to kill it because i dont like killing anything, because who can blame it for being in my house? but i dont know whhat to do, they just look creepy and i would be fine with them if they didnt bite

lisa
05 Jul 2010, 05:55

I was just like all of you are...horrified at the site of these things. We found lots of them when we moved into our house 10 years ago. I killed them every chance I got and I didn't know what they were for the longest time. I asked a science teacher I knew and she said they are bug-eating insects that are actually beneficial. I kept killing them...and over the years I saw less and less of them. I pretty much wiped them out...but now we have a new and BIGGER problem... a massive silver fish infestation. They are everywhere and I fear we'll have to fumigate because they feed on pretty much everything: boxes, laundry, food particles, books, etc. When I researched silverfish...guess what? Their biggest predator is the house centipede. The other night..for the first time in a couple of years... i saw another centipede and instead of killing him..i put him in my bathroom where i see the most silver fish. I never thought I'd be happy to see another one...but i really am!

kyla
15 Jul 2010, 23:12

My grandmother has about 12 birds and they have all of a sudden started dying.
I've heard multiple times that house centipedes kill birds by biting them, now i havent seen any centipedes in her house but i have no idea what else it could be. They are okay one minute and the next they lose control of their body and just sit there we pet them and then they die, please help me! i dont know what it could be if not the centipedes.

Ask the Exterminatorb
15 Jul 2010, 23:33

A house centipede is food for birds. Not vice versa. Take the birds to a vet
to find the answer.

jordan
17 Jul 2010, 22:38

I like catching these little critters,they often appear at the bricks at the park near my house.I let them go after awhile,cuz im just a kid.

Noureen
13 Aug 2010, 05:16

My huband and i woke up in the middle of the night, crawling up the stairway wall. It was trying to find its way to ME!!! I already know. NOw I'm freaking out and franticly looking here and their very reluctant to find another one. I don't think i will be able to sleep tonight, or EVER, at least not in this house. Not only that, I'm pregnant and will soon be bringing a newborn baby into this house. I hope and pray it doesnt harm my BABY. All I have to say is O-M-G !!!!

Samantha
13 Aug 2010, 23:44

I had a large black centipede crawl down my shirt while i was asleep. It was about five, maybe six inches long and solid black as far as i could tell. Let me tell you that is a really unpleasant way to start the day. Is there anyone out there that can give me a id on this guy?

Laurella
20 Aug 2010, 00:29

I read this and all the comments.. Now I can not sleep. i am terrified of them. But I do know how to prevent them from coming near u even though it might be annoying... KEEP YOUR LIGHTS ON! GET NIGHT LIGHTS . or so ive been told.

Hate These
03 Sep 2010, 02:48

I live in Middle Tennessee and got bit by what is called a Blue Centipede last year around this time. Somehow, it got in my BED! I had some allergic reaction to the poison and it left a round mark that scarred. Tonight, my one year-old cat caught one in my living room. It's the same type. What helps is spraying Home Defense Max. I'm going out to spray in the morning and will have my cats in a carrier while I spray the house. I hate these things!

michelle
23 Sep 2010, 02:30

Words can't describe the feeling of being all cozy in your bed then feeling some cold, fleshy thing on your leg, and when you pull back the covers there is a 5-6" CENTIPEDE rubbing all up on you. Now my leg feels weird and my blood pressure is sky high. OH, did I mention that while pouring a cup of coffee this morning a 5-6" CENTIPEDE crawled on my foot?!!! Yes, that is TWO in one day. I think I will go cry now:(

tammy
26 Sep 2010, 18:49

In July I just moved into my new apartment. I saw one od centipede in the bath room floor. I took it out.
then in September, it was 5.00 am. I was about ready for the trip. I saw another one was crawl to my bed. Luckily, I awaked. I don't feel comfortable to my bed as I used to. What else can I do to prevent or to propel this kind of insect?
How did/ where can it come to my apartment?
Any suggestion

Tammy
26 Sep 2010, 18:53

I only moved to this apartment for 2 months.
I saw one last month in the restroomand another one this month was crawling to my bed in the early early morning like 5.00 am.
What can I do to propel this centipede?
How/where can they come into my apartment? Any specific I should be aware off? I'm so scared.
What else I can do to prevent this thing to my apartment?????I was on the second floor..

Ask the Exterminator
27 Sep 2010, 10:00

Like the article says, the centipedes are drawn to the outside foundation walls by moisture. Report the problem to your landlord and ask them to have the foundations treated with a granular insecticide. Tell your landlord that you have researched the problem and that you want to know what product will be used to resolve the issue.

Diana
13 Oct 2010, 22:20

I am definitely freaked out by the centipedes in my home. After I began constructing a room in my attic, I noticed that centipedes began to crawl around downstairs. I am concerned that I may have a big problem. Sometimes I see about 7-8 within a week. Tonight I saw a 2-inch centipede in my basement; which is dry, but I noticed that it ran into a crack in the brick wall. I plan on sealing those cracks. What can I do to get rid of these creatures? They have got to go!

Linda
21 Oct 2010, 13:24

I hate centipedes with a passion and my cure for those creepy little things is Clorox Bleach in the spray bottle. I keep it in the bathroom and in the kitchen where there is moisture. When I see them, they get saturated with the Clorox and I have no problem wiping them up with a paper towel. I also spray around the areas in the bathroom where they come in from and usually don't have much a problem after that. For those who want to go "GREEN" then you can find a product that works for you...but I don't want to see them in my house.

vivek
18 Mar 2011, 09:26

I have seen many centipedes in my bathroom.
I like them very much at the same time i am afraid of their bite. here in Bangalore
the centipede is 7 centimeters. i would use an electric net and give it an electric shock. then it cannot move fast.I take it up and observe it closely. they are absolutely amazing with those venomous claws. then i kill it quickly to end its misery. A little mosquito spray makes them weak may be because they are related to insects.

James
26 Mar 2011, 06:52

I recently purchased a raised ranch style home in which the basement foundation only has 3 concrete walls. The open section is where the built-in garage is. The basement is finished yet the only thing seperating the finished basement from the cold garage is an old, shabby wood-framed wall covered with paneling. When you walk into the garage during the day, you can easily see light shining through on either side. I am convinced this is where an assortment of insects are coming from. I have seen wood lice, centipedes, beetles in the basement. I also have spiders throughout the house. Recently the temperature reached 40 degrees (spring thaw) and I saw centipedes racing back and forth. I am convinced they are coming in through the garage and then finding a way through that crummy wooden wall. I assume by your articles that the wood lice are finding their way in and the centipedes and spiders are hunting them. I also see by your articles that I have much to do to deter them. I was thinking of installing central air which you said may help control a moisture problem. I was also considering tearing out the wooden wall seperating the garage from the basement and having a brick wall built in it's place to connect the open foundation walls. The house is 60 years old and some former occupant decided to landscape stone pathways with half-buried railroad ties. After many years these wooden ties are breaking down....I'd assume they are a smorgasbord for wood-eating insects. Although they may have looked pretty 30-60 yrs ago but now they are HUGE problem. It'll take a lot of work and / or money to remove those. I would imagine that if I eliminate the foodsource (woodlice)....then the hungry predators may be inclined to leave too (spiders & centipedes). Oh yeah, recently my girlfriend discovered a silverfish lying in bed in the upstairs bedroom watching TV! I mean we had just been lying there with the cover over us and happened to discover it sitting there...my girlfriend is a nervous wreck due to this. We haven't found any more since. Could one of us have carried it in from outside...? Or could there be more and they're just good hiders...? Been spraying generous portions of Ortho Home Defense Max everywhere, and it "seems" to help, yet I don't believe we'll truly be rid unless I begin to take some of the steps aforementioned as well as others you detailed regarding granule perimeter, gutters directing water away from foundation and dacaying vegetation. This sounds like an enormous amount of time and money yet ridding myself of these "unclean" vile pests will bring MUCH peace of mind.

Ask the Exterminator
01 Apr 2011, 16:32

It appears you have it figured out. The rotting railroad ties, the cold garage, the abundance of insects are all signs of moisture. Figure out all the moisture problems and you will be on your way to resolving all your accompanying insect issues.

Vivek
02 Apr 2011, 01:10

Does snake venom have any effect on gaint centipedes.

Ask the Exterminator
02 Apr 2011, 10:24

I'm only guessing, but I would say it would.

John Stonehouse
22 Apr 2011, 19:14

On the second floor bathroom of our house we see centepedes on a number of days. They are typiccally in the bathtub or the sink. Where do they come from and how do I get rid of them once and for all.

Thanks

Rob
23 May 2011, 15:23

I live in Hawaii, and recently moved to a particular wet part of the island. We have been averaging about 1 giant centipede a month in the house. These are the big ones (usually about 3-4 inches but the largest was 7 inches long!). We already keep the house clean extra clean to help keep out the roaches (and we have a small army of geckos living in and around the house that help out with any smaller bugs) but there is nothing I can do about the humidity. I regularly apply pesticide around the house. But we still seem to get them. Does anyone know how to deal with these guys if you live on the windward side of Oahu?

Ask the Exterminator
23 May 2011, 15:34

I recommend using Onslaught insecticide around the exterior foundations. It's long lasting and will do a good job. Click on the link in the article above.

BTatton
28 May 2011, 15:47

I live(d) in a very clean apartment in a "nice community". SIX of the eight units in the building vacated with in one month in March apx. Living there for four months I had not seen more thanan occasional ant or small spider. When the SIX units vacated, within a two week period, my apartment became infested with CENTIPEDES and vinegroon, beddbugs,and other unwanted guests. I was being bitten, unknown exact cause, prior to discovering these pests. The CENTIPEDE bites make me extremely ill. Fevor, Bathroom issues really bad!, sores tha are slow healing and leave huge scars...The centipedes were not discovered until after the other treatments... The manager saw it during an inspection walking across the carpets - which I begged to have cleaned. Pest control told me it was "harmless". As it turns out the place has many and I find them regularly when I check in on the place. They are the outdoor variety and the crew sealed up a long list of cracks and potential entry places - still they are there. I have been displaced to motels and my car and a friends because they say they have done all they can do to get rid of the CENTIPEDES. These are a nasty bite. My small dog was in the vet often with serious bites unkonwn origin, until we discovered the creepy crawly vectors. She was removed promtly. I have tried reentering the apratment because I was told it was "clean" of pests three times and each time being biten within one or two days, I end up back at the doctor and sick as heck... poisoned by the venom. It takes a long time for the venom to get out of my system and the effects of it are nasty. The itiching is off the charts for a long time, the sores burn and hurt , the dizziness and vomitting and diareah, etc. I cringe at the sight of them and have seen different sized ones allthe same look about them. I am told they are not agressive and prey on other insects for meals... this is and has been a nightmare. Health matters, emotional toll, financially imacted to homeless state - even though I pay my rent...I can't risk being biten so I can't stay there. I have not seen my lil pooch in a long time, but she is recovering and doing well now that she is out of that centipede infested apartment. My belongings remain in the apartment now & I live from zippy bags. No one seems to be helpful in this matter with resolving it. Before this our area was and remains troubled by the bark scorpion - and we lived in a home hat had them. The centipedes are much worse to deal with. There does not seem to be any assistance other than pest control and inspectos who have limited information. I fear this is becoming more a porblem here. I do not want to see others suffer as I have with centipedes. No one seems to take it seriously and I can assure any reader, they are more than "harmless". Pest control did retract that statement, by the way.

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Centipedes

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