You Must Stop Killing Domestic Centipedes (but How to Get Rid of Them, If Necessary)
I realized that domestic centipedes move at an alarming speed, and at the same time they look quite intimidating, despite the fact that all their legs are running. But before the next time you rush for the boot, stop and take a breath. As creepy as they look, the truth is that not only are they harmless, but actually useful to have on hand.
What are domestic centipedes?
The common house centipede, scutigera coleoptrata, often gets a bad rap. These arthropods have a feature called automimicry, which makes it difficult to distinguish the head from the back, so not only do they move at around 16 inches per second, but it is also difficult to tell which way they will go. They are sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, including sunlight, so a sudden ray of sunlight, like a pulling curtain, will cause them to rush for cover.
The domestic centipede can be identified by its shape and body coloration, which sets it apart from other centipedes and centipedes that may have wandered into your home by accident. Despite its name, domestic centipedes actually have up to 15 pairs of legs. The domestic centipede is usually between an inch and an inch and a half, but can look a lot larger due to its long antennae. They are light brown or gray in color with a triple brown stripe on the back. Their speed is also obvious and distinguishes them from centipedes, as centipedes tend to move much more slowly.
How are home centipedes useful?
Household centipedes are insectivorous, so they eat other arthropods such as cockroaches, bed bugs, ants, silverfish, and termites. This means that as far as arthropods are concerned, they are indeed very beneficial. They pose no real threat to humans or pets, do not build nests or webs, and do not harm your home in any way. So not only are they a great (free!) Pest control tool, but they’re also safe to live in.
At the same time, it is known that domestic centipedes have stung people on rare occasions, but their stinging nozzle hardly penetrates human skin. When faced with a problem, the centipede will most likely simply try to escape. On the rare occasion that they manage to sting a person, their venom usually causes mild discomfort throughout the day. Also, in rare cases, centipede bites cause an allergic reaction, so it’s not recommended to pick them up or handle them roughly (but you still didn’t want to, right?).
Indeed, in addition to the rushing movement and rather unpleasant appearance, domestic centipedes can be good roommates. Think of them as a silly wiggling mustache! This is weird, but it helps.
How to get rid of them
If you still do not want to live together with millipedes, we understand that. The best way to keep them at bay is to get rid of the food source. Install a dehumidifier in wet areas of your home to control humidity that can attract certain types of insects, and use an exhaust fan to keep bathrooms dry. You should also make sure they don’t bite into termites in your woodwork to prevent an even more serious problem in the future.
Sealing cracks or crevices where arthropods can lay eggs is another way to keep them in check and keep them out of your home altogether.