Color: Yellowish to dark brown, sometimes with darker stripes or markings
Legs: 177
Shape: Elongated, flattened, worm-like
Size: 1/8 – 6” (4-152 mm)
Antennae: Yes
Region: Found throughout U.S.
Centipedes are sometimes called “hundred-leggers” because of their many pairs of legs, but they can actually have anywhere from 15-191 pairs of legs, depending on the species. Interestingly, centipedes always have an odd number of pairs of legs.
Centipedes are predators, primarily active at night. In indoor environments, they prey on common pests, mainly flies and spiders. Although overwhelmingly carnivorous, they are opportunistic feeders, and will occasionally eat plants.
Centipedes are generally considered nuisance pests, as they do not pose significant health or property threats. However, all house centipedes have poison jaws with which they inject venom into their prey. If handled roughly, some larger species can inflict a painful bite that can break human skin and can cause pain and swelling, similar to a bee sting.
Centipedes are found throughout the United States and the world. They are typically found in areas of high moisture, such as in rotting logs, under stones, in trash or piles of leaves/grass. When they invade commercial facilities, centipedes are most commonly found in damp basements, crawlspaces, bathrooms, or potted plants.
The most effective way to get rid of or prevent house centipede infestations is to reduce areas of moisture in and around your property. Remove leaf piles and grass clippings. Store firewood off the ground. Providing adequate ventilation in crawl spaces and basements can help deter them.
Centipedes are predators that prey on a variety of invertebrates and small animals, including insects such as cockroaches, crickets, silverfish, and moths, as well as earthworms.
House centipedes seek out moisture, making damp areas ideal habitats both inside and outside buildings. Outdoors, they are often found near decaying logs, wet mulch, or dense leaf litter. Indoors, they favor high-humidity spaces such as basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. Even small, unresolved moisture issues can encourage a centipede presence.
Centipedes are effective hunters. They don’t damage property, but they are drawn to areas where they can find a dependable food source. If you’re seeing centipedes on your property, it may point to a wider problem with other insects.