Centipede identification can be difficult, especially since they move quickly and hide in dark spaces. When they are spotted, their many legs and quick movements can make them an unsettling pest to see indoors. As occasional invaders, they tend to appear under the right conditions and don’t usually stay long-term, but their presence can be a sign of other pest problems or excess moisture in the home.
If you’re spotting centipedes often, it might be time for a closer look. Schedule a free centipede inspection with our team and find out what’s attracting them to your home or business.
Centipede species vary in size, color, and behavior, but they all share certain physical traits that set them apart from other pests. A centipede is an arthropod from the class of Chilopoda. They are elongated insects with lots of legs. "Centi-" is Latin for 100, and "-pede" refers to legs, but centipedes actually have 15-177 legs. Each segment of its body has a pair of these legs.
Centipedes are long, narrow, and nearly always flattened. The first pair of legs form claw-like poison fangs, while the last pair merely face backwards. First instars (stages) have only four segments, but acquire more with each molt. Unlike millipedes (which belong to the class Diplopoda), centipedes always have an odd number of leg pairs; never even.
Most centipedes are yellowish or brown and grow to about one to one and a half inches long. One common type is the house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata). It has very long legs and moves quickly. Some types, like Scolopendra, can grow much bigger. The Amazonian giant centipede, for example, can reach up to 12 inches.
Key things to look for:
One of the most common centipedes you are likely to find in your home is the house centipede. They are proficient hunters and are known to attack their prey, but they prefer to eat insects and not bite people.
In fact, many find house centipedes to be very beneficial to have around because they are known to eat pest bugs including other arthropods, smaller insects, and arachnids. They prefer to live in cool, damp places, which is why they are often found in basements, bathrooms, and other areas of the house.
Need help with how to get rid of centipedes in your home? Click the button below to chat with a centipede expert today.
Seeing one centipede now and then isn’t always a problem. But if you start seeing them often, especially in damp places like bathrooms or basements, you may have an infestation. Signs to watch for:
Centipedes are well adapted to living in dark, damp environments where they can stay hidden and hunt for prey. They thrive in places with moisture and shelter, both indoors and out. Here are some key centipede characteristics.
Outdoors, centipedes hide under leaves, mulch, rocks, and logs. They need moisture to survive, so they prefer soil and wood that stays damp. In warmer weather, they’re most active at night when it’s cooler and more humid.
Indoors, centipedes look for similar places that are dark and damp. You’ll often find them in basements, crawl spaces, bathrooms, or under sinks. These spots give them both shelter and access to food. They can slip in through small gaps, drains, or vents when outdoor conditions change.
Centipedes are natural hunters. They feed on small insects, spiders, and sometimes may go for a plant (if they get the urge). They get most of their daily liquids from their prey. They grab their prey using the pincers near their mouthparts and inject venom to stop it from moving. That’s part of why centipedes show up in homes–where there are other pests, you’re likely to find centipedes.
Centipedes have a simple life cycle. After mating, males leave a sperm packet (called a spermatophore) for the female to pick up. She lays eggs in soil or other moist places, where they hatch into young centipedes that look like smaller adults.
Centipedes love the nightlife. That's when they like to hunt. Another active period: summer. This is when females lay their eggs, in or on the soil. One type can lay 35 eggs over a few days. Adults can live a year, and some up to five or six years. These nocturnal predators are also shy and quick, hiding during the day and coming out at night to hunt. They’re not social and usually live alone. When threatened, they run fast or squeeze into cracks to escape.
Centipedes might look unsettling, but they’re not a serious threat to people. In rare cases, a centipede may bite if it’s handled or feels trapped. These bites can cause mild pain, swelling, or redness, similar to a bee sting, but they usually go away on their own. For most people, centipedes are more of a nuisance than a danger.
The most effective way to deal with centipedes is to bring in a professional. While these pests often come from outside, getting control isn’t as simple as just sealing doors or clearing leaves. A technician can identify how centipedes are getting in, where they’re hiding, and what’s attracting them in the first place. Our technicians also know how to choose the right products and apply them effectively.
If centipedes keep showing up no matter what you do, there may be a bigger issue behind the scenes. Schedule an inspection with our team; we’ll pinpoint the source and recommend the right treatment for your home or business.
Once centipedes are gone, a few simple changes can help keep them from coming back.
Start by reducing moisture; use a dehumidifier in damp rooms and fix any leaks around the house. Keep basements, crawl spaces, and storage areas clean and clutter-free. Outdoors, clear away leaf piles and store firewood away from your foundation. Sealing gaps and cracks around doors, windows, and vents can also block common entry points.
Taking these steps not only helps prevent centipedes but can also make your property less inviting to the other insects they feed on.
Centipedes are just one type of pest that can wander inside when conditions are right. If you’re noticing them more often or spotting signs of other occasional pests, it may be time to call your local Western Exterminator team. We help with inspections, targeted treatments, and long-term solutions.
Don’t let centipedes ruin your peace of mind. Click the button to schedule your free inspection with us today and start reclaiming your space.
All centipedes do bite, but they very rarely bite people. In North America, most centipedes are harmless. They are more interested in eating other insects than they are in trying to bite people. Of course, any creature that is disturbed from its habitat or handled could potentially bite, so it is not recommended that you pick up or bother any centipede.
Some centipedes are. They use venom to catch and kill their prey, but their bite is rarely harmful to humans. However, the centipedes located in North America are generally not poisonous venomous and do not pose a risk to people.
In tropical climates where the Giant centipede is common, you are more likely to run into species that are venomous and more aggressive and likely to bite.
The best way to get rid of centipedes is to hire professional pest control. A trained technician can identify the conditions attracting them, locate entry points, and determine if other pests are present.
No, centipedes are not insects. They are invertebrates known as myriapods. Unlike insects, which have six legs, centipedes have many legs—one pair per body segment.
Centipedes usually live outdoors in damp places like under leaves, mulch, or stones. They may come inside looking for moisture, warmth, or food, especially during cold or wet weather.
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