House Centipede

Natural Habitat

Damp, cool places such as basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces; also found outdoors in leaf litter and under rocks.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous predator that eats household pests including flies, cockroaches, termites, bed bugs, and silverfish.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal hunter known for incredible speed; it uses its long legs to travel rapidly across walls and floors to surprise and capture prey.

Risks & Benefits

Generally beneficial as they provide natural pest control for homes; their bite is rare and typically no worse than a bee sting, though their appearance often causes alarm.

Identified on: 5/29/2026