If you've ever flipped on a basement light in Bloomfield and watched something with a lot of legs sprint under the washer, you've likely met a house centipede. They're harmless to most people, but they're one of the most startling things to find in a house. The good news is that they're not dangerous to your family or your house. The less good news is that seeing them often means your home has extra moisture and other bugs for them to eat. Below, we'll cover what house centipedes are, why they move in and what you can do about them. If you'd rather have someone take care of it, our centipede control service can help.
What A House Centipede Looks Like
A grown house centipede has a flattened, yellowish-gray body about an inch or a little longer, with dark stripes running down its back. What stands out are the legs: 15 pairs of them, long and thin, banded with light and dark. The last pair of legs is extra long and can look like a second set of antennae, which makes it hard to tell which end is the head.
They move fast, often in quick bursts, then freeze. They're active mostly at night, which is why you tend to see them when you turn on a light in a quiet room. During the day they hide in cracks, under boxes, behind baseboards and in floor drains. You may also find one stuck in a sink or tub. It didn't come up the drain. It fell in while hunting and couldn't climb the smooth sides back out.
Why House Centipedes Move In
House centipedes come inside for two things: moisture and food. They dry out easily, so they look for damp, sheltered spots. Inside a home, that usually means:
- Basements and crawl spaces
- Bathrooms, especially around tubs and sink cabinets
- Laundry rooms and areas near floor drains
- Cluttered storage spaces with boxes on the floor
Unlike many outdoor bugs, house centipedes can live their whole lives indoors and reproduce there. If the conditions are right, you may see small ones and large ones over time, which means they've settled in.
What They Eat
House centipedes are predators. They hunt other insects and spiders, catching prey with their legs and using a pair of modified front legs to inject venom. Their menu includes silverfish, cockroaches, spiders, moths and other small household pests. So while nobody wants a centipede in the bathroom, it's also a hint that something else is living there too. If you're seeing silverfish as well, our guide on why silverfish love your bathroom explains how the two problems connect.
Do House Centipedes Bite?
They can, but it's rare. House centipedes aren't aggressive toward people and would much rather run. Bites usually happen only when one is grabbed or pressed against the skin. Most people describe a bite as similar to a mild bee sting, with some redness and swelling that fades. If you have a strong reaction or are worried about a bite, see a doctor. House centipedes don't damage wood, fabric, food or wiring, and they aren't known to spread disease.
How To Make Your Home Less Inviting
Killing the centipedes you see won't solve much if the conditions that drew them in stay the same. Focus on moisture and food.
- Dry out damp spaces. Run a dehumidifier in the basement, use bathroom exhaust fans and fix leaky pipes and dripping faucets.
- Cut down on their food. Fewer silverfish, spiders and roaches means fewer centipedes. Sticky traps in basements can help you see what's around.
- Clear clutter. Move boxes off basement floors and onto shelves. Use plastic bins instead of cardboard.
- Seal entry points. Caulk gaps around foundation cracks, basement windows and pipe openings. Add weatherstripping and door sweeps.
- Clean up outside. Move leaf piles, firewood and stones away from the foundation, where centipedes and their prey can shelter.
When To Call A Professional
An occasional centipede in the basement is normal and not worth losing sleep over. It's time to call for help when you're seeing them often, finding them in bedrooms and living areas or noticing other pests along with them. A technician can look for the moisture sources and the insects feeding them, treat the areas where they hide and suggest ways to seal the house. EcoFusion's NJ DEP-licensed technicians use an Integrated Pest Management approach with EPA-registered eco-safe products, and we offer a free inspection.
House centipedes look scary, but they're mostly a messenger. They're telling you your Bloomfield home has damp spots and a supply of other bugs. Dry things out, cut back the clutter and seal the gaps, and most homes see far fewer of them. If they keep turning up, EcoFusion Pest Control can help you find out why.