House Centipede

Natural Habitat

Damp, dark areas indoors (basements, bathrooms, crawl spaces) and outdoors under rocks, logs, and leaf litter.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; preys on household pests such as cockroaches, silverfish, termites, spiders, moths, and other insects.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal hunters, very fast runners, and often surprise people due to their speed and many legs. They are generally solitary.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans. While they can bite, it's rare and usually only if provoked, resulting in a mild sting similar to a bee sting. They are beneficial as natural pest controllers, helping to reduce populations of other unwanted insects in homes.

Identified on: 11/4/2025