The common house centipede
Most people have seen one of these freaky creatures, and probably has them running around inside their homes. In fact, these bugs are so common that nearly every one is probably living with them, whether they know it or not. Despite their creepy appearance, these centipedes really aren't all that bad.
One of the major fears with any small critter is it's ability to bite or sting. The long legs of the house centipede, or Scutigera Coleoptrata, are eerily reminiscent of the legs of a spider, which leads many to believe that it is capable of biting and inflicting pain like many spiders. This, however, isn't necessarily true. House centipedes use modified legs to inject poison into their prey, but this sting is very weak. Even if a centipede did decide to bite you, it'd be unlikely that the creature could actually puncture your skin. On top of their weak stings, they are very nervous creatures. They are likely to scurry away at the first sign of light or movement, so you usually have nothing to worry about. Even if one did, somehow, manage to bite you, you'd only experience a little pain and some swelling, nothing serious.
Close up of a centipede with it's modified legs shown.
These centipedes are insectivores, meaning that they live off of insects and arachnids. They are good creatures to have in ones home because they will help to keep the population of other insects down, and it's nearly impossible to get rid of them anyway. Usually coming out during the night, these centipedes will take on anything from pesky spiders to dangerous wasps. Centipedes are intelligent creatures, at least when it comes to their hunting strategies. If a centipede were trying to eat something small, say a bedbug or spider, it might try to wrestle it and sting it to death. However, if a centipede wants to take on something more dangerous, say a wasp, it will bite it's foe and then back off, letting the poison kill it's opponent. House centipedes, unlike most other types of centipedes, have very well developed faceted eyes, which provides them a uniquely clear visual perception of their surroundings. But even with these complex eyes, house centipedes still rely mostly on their antennae when hunting.
Centipede killing and eating its prey
This type of centipede is usually between 25 and 50 millimeters long with 15 pairs of long legs. They have three dark dorsal stripes running their length. Centipedes usually give birth during the spring, and their larvae look like miniature versions of themselves, with only 4 sets of legs. Centipedes molt several times throughout their lives, and it is during these molts that a young centipede begins to gain more legs. Because of the set up of their legs, house centipedes can run extremely fast for their size. You've all seen them scurrying into their holes whenever the light turns on. They can reach speeds of more than 0.4 meters per second (or 1.3 ft/sec). Another interesting feature of the house centipede is that it can detach any of it's legs if it's threatened. This skill comes in very handy if it's being pinned. And to top it all off, they can live for up to 7 years.
All in all, house centipedes are pretty amazing. They may look scary, but they hardly ever hurt humans. They aid in the never ending battle against insect home invasion and usually stay out of the way. Next time you see one of these critters scurrying across your basement floor, try to resist the urge to step on it.
These are lovely creatures! I got excited last year when seeing a big one scuttle across the floor but I didn't know what it was at the time, not having seen it properly. I searched around and a few days later found one halfway up the wall, so I carefully caught it in a jar so as to photograph it. Some time later a tiny version moved over the desk I am sitting at now. And after a long time no see - today the big one appeared again. They do good, I'm happy to have them around. Thanks for the infos.
ReplyDeleteI saw one today in my bathroom and I killed it. Now I am kind of sad, but it was creepy and I have never seen one before. Next time I will probably just let it outside.
ReplyDeleteTo anyone in the future who reads this: I say what's up.
ReplyDeleteAnyways these fucking creatures are disgusting. I moved into my downstairs room in my house and the first day in my room I saw a huge adult fall out of my ceiling air vent. I totally freaked out and hunted it!!! Then I patched every vent in my room with tape to prevent them. Unfortunately that didn't stop a few from reaching my humid, dark room. I found a few babies which obviously was a bad thing because they're mating outside my room. probably in this living room that nobody ever uses just outside my room. So I ended up killing those scummy insects ( very creepy looking ). Ended taping the bottom of my door to prevent them from squeezing through the carpet and the door. BUT STILL after a long time of not seeing one on the wall or the corners of the walls, I saw a baby. Now I questioned how the hell did this thing in here after allllll the shit i've done. I think it's time for an all out war involving insecticide, a vacuum and find those bitches through out my downstairs of my house. Especially where they most likely are.... in that living room nobody uses. Honestly these freak me out way more than spiders. Though they are way easier to kill than spiders, so oddly enough I'd rather deal with a few of these here and there than spiders.
I have this rule when it comes to insects in my house. If I SEE you YOU ARE GOING TO DIE. So stay the hell out of my way. and especially out from where I sleep... mother fuckers.
your taped your AIR vents?? you gotta relax
Delete@coach
ReplyDeletethats funny haha
I did get either bit or stung by one of these. It was dark. I felt a little sting. I brushed it off immediately and turned on the light and found several of its legs laying around in the blanket. So they will bite, or sting, humans. But it's not too bad.
ReplyDelete