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If you have swelling of the lips, throat, mouth, or tongue, call your local emergency services or have someone take you to an emergency room immediately. Human centipedes are capable of completing their entire life cycle indoors, but they can only do that if they have food to hunt and eat! Bug-free homes aren’t going to attract centipedes over the long run. Once they have their meal lassoed tight, they can use their pincers to bite and consume the prey. However, seeing it happen in real-time is rare due to the nocturnal nature of the insect. Centipedes may also be drawn to the warmth of your bed, especially if you have a bed bug infestation.
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Centipedes inject venom into their prey to protect and defend themselves. Believe it or not, but the house centipede is a skilled predator. They eat everything from larger cockroaches, spiders, and wasps to smaller ants and termites! House centipedes are not dangerous to humans and can actually be beneficial by helping to control other household pests. Understanding their behavior and taking preventative measures can minimize their presence in your living spaces. Using insect screens on doors and windows can also help keep them outdoors.
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She is also a Master Gardener with over 40+ years of experience and 20+ years of writing experience. Mary is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board. Peg Aloi is a gardening expert and former garden designer with 13 years experience working as a professional gardener in the Boston and upstate New York areas.
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Not only may a centipede sting hurt like the dickens, but even imagining a multi-legged creature slithering up your arm can be understandably unnerving. Treat stings and pinches as you would a bee sting or mosquito bite, with anti-itch and pain-relieving medication. You can identify a centipede bite by the two puncture marks where the venom entered your skin.
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They do not create webs like spiders or infest an area like many types of insects will. Since they feed on other insects, they aren’t going to damage the wood in your home like termites might. They simply find dark corners to live in when they’re not hunting for food. If they persist, seek medical attention right away, especially if you notice signs of infection. However, some centipedes have venom which produces a variety of toxins, including chemicals such as histamine, serotonin, and cardio-depressant toxin-S. House centipedes are known for their lightning-fast movements and impressive hunting skills.
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While some centipede species have compound eyes containing up to 200 optical units, others have a few simple eyes on each side of the head. House centipedes are some of the most intelligent insect predators around. You can sometimes observe them taking a more strategic approach to kill sizable opponents.
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If they feel threatened or cornered, they may bite, which can cause mild pain, redness, and swelling, but these symptoms are typically not severe and can be managed with basic first aid. The vast majority of people who encounter house centipedes do not experience any adverse effects from them. House centipedes can actually be beneficial as they prey on other common household pests like spiders, termites, bed bugs, and cockroaches. However, if their presence is unsettling to you, or if you have a severe infestation, you may consider taking preventive measures. House centipedes are skilled predators and are known to hunt and feed on various small arthropods, including spiders. Spiders are a common part of their diet, and house centipedes are effective at catching and consuming them.
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If you do see house centipedes inside your home, do not kill them. Instead, work with a pest control professional to learn more about what the centipedes are feeding on inside your home and to get help eliminating other pests in your home. The centipede is going to help with insect control in your home and, when there is no more food for them in your home, they’ll simply move on to somewhere else to find the food they need. If you’ve seen one in your home, contact a pest control professional now to get help. The house centipedes are not going to damage your home like other pests might. They do not nest, which means they won’t build any nest inside your home or damage parts of your home to create the nest.
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They move very quickly on their 15 long legs, and they can grip more than one prey item with those legs while grabbing and striking another with their forcipules. They have sharp, clawed legs that they use to pierce the skin when they bite. If you pick them up or handle them roughly, they might bite you.
These centipedes are generally reclusive and prefer to hide in dark, secluded areas. They are primarily active at night, which is when they emerge to hunt for insects. While they may occasionally venture into living spaces, they do not bite humans unless they feel threatened.
Dear Dr. Willis,This common House Centipede is frequently found in the home where it startles residents. House Centipedes are harmless nocturnal predators that will help keep the home clear of cockroaches and other undesirable creatures. Intense itching, dizziness, hives, or a rash may be signs of an allergic reaction.
As a result, they may not have an epinephrine auto-injector available. People may feel anxious when a centipede bites them, due to both the pain of the bite and the appearance of the multi-legged creature. However, in most cases, a person will not need to seek medical attention because a centipede bite is rarely serious. When a centipede bites a person, they inject venom into the skin. The production of the venom takes place in a gland in the forcipule.
Usually, the worst thing that will happen is a bit of swelling and mild, localized pain. The area around the bite may turn into a small red bump while you feed a subtle burning pain under the skin. Instead, they lurk around in the dead of night and search for insects they can ambush. Contrary to popular belief, the average house centipede is not dangerous to humans. Unlike most other centipedes, house centipedes and their close relatives have well-developed faceted eyes. Its body is yellowish-grey and has three dark dorsal stripes running down its length; the legs also have dark stripes.
With that being said, you should always exercise some element of caution when picking them up. That said, the vast majority of people will not experience anything more than some mild discomfort and slight swelling. Infections can occur as well if you don’t take care of the bite sight. It’s a good idea to clean the area and apply some antibacterial ointments to prevent any issues.
So, use their presence as an indicator of other potential infestations happening under your nose! You might be dealing with termites, roaches, or a host of other household pests. These bugs wouldn’t be around if they didn’t have the means to survive.
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