Community identification
House Centipede
Scutigera coleoptrata
- Order & Family
- Scutigeromorpha, Scutigeridae
- Size
- 25 to 35 mm (1 to 1.5 inches) in body length, larger with long legs and antennae.
Natural Habitat
Damp, dark areas including basements, bathrooms, crawl spaces, and under mulch or rocks outdoors.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; hunts household pests like silverfish, cockroaches, termites, spiders, and bed bugs.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal hunters known for extreme speed and agility; they use long, sensitive antennae to locate prey and have 15 pairs of long legs.
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial for natural pest control in homes; they are generally harmless to humans, though they can rarely bite if handled, causing mild localized irritation.