Pest Identification: House Centipede

Centipedes, also known as house centipedes or “hundred-leggers,” are nocturnal and move quickly, making them rarely seen by humans. They have elongated, worm-like bodies with many pairs of legs, ranging from 15-177 pairs depending on the species, and always an odd number of pairs. The body is usually yellowish to dark brown with darker stripes or markings. Centipedes have antennae, large claw-like structures with venom glands, and some species have compound eyes or clusters of simple eyes. The common house centipede has 15 pairs of long legs and is about 1-1 1/2” (25-38 mm) long. Centipedes leave no direct signs of infestation other than sightings, and some larger species can inflict a painful bite. Preventing centipede infestation involves reducing moisture, removing debris, storing firewood off the ground, providing ventilation, and sealing entry points. Centipedes typically overwinter outdoors and lay eggs during the summer. They are found in areas of high moisture and are primarily carnivorous, preying on flies, spiders, and sometimes plant tissue. Centipedes are unlikely to consume wood, and wood-eating centipedes are millipedes. They are considered nuisance pests but have poison jaws for injecting venom into prey.