House Centipede
Scientific Name: Scutigera coleoptrata
Order & Family: Scutigeromorpha; Scutigeridae
Size: Body length is typically 25 to 35 mm (1 to 1.5 inches), but with legs included, they can appear up to 3 to 4 inches across.
Natural Habitat
Found worldwide in human homes, particularly in cool, damp places like basements, bathrooms, and crawlspaces, but originated in the Mediterranean region.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly carnivorous insectivores that hunt spiders, bed bugs, termites, cockroaches, silverfish, ants, and other household arthropods.
Behavior Patterns
They are nocturnal hunters that move incredibly fast (up to 1.3 ft/sec). They use their long legs to 'lasso' prey and rarely bite unless cornered. They groom their legs frequently.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits: highly beneficial as they control populations of household pests like roaches and termites. Risks: generally harmless to humans; while they can bite if provoked, the bite is similar to a minor bee sting and rarely breaks skin.
Identified on: 2/14/2026