Why You Should Never Ever Kill A House Centipede If You Find One Inside Of Your Home

There’s nothing more terrifying than watching a house centipede shoot across your floor and under your couch. It’s safe to say that most people are positively terrified from those creepy crawling house guests. But there’s a reason why you should never kill a centipede you find in your house.

Finding a house centipede is its own brand of terror. It doesn’t matter if it’s crawling across the floor, peering from behind a door, or appearing in a cupboard.

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These little scary monsters have 15 pairs of legs and can travel 1.3 feet per second.

It’s no wonder why most people are afraid of these creatures, and why the typical reaction to finding one involves a shoe or a rolled-up magazine.But don’t swat at them just yet; house centipedes can actually benefit you and your home.

But like almost every other bug out there, this particular bug does have a purpose. And yes, that purpose is actually good.House centipedes are known for killing pests in your house that are completely unwelcome. They kill roaches, moths, flies, silverfish, and termites.

They use the two legs right near its head, which has been modified to carry venom, and their other legs to scoop up the bug.

NobbiP/Wikimedia Commons

This is called a “lassoing” technique where they jump on their prey and wrap them up with the rest of their legs.

House centipedes are only killing the bugs you really don’t want in your house. They are considered active hunters and are constantly looking for their next prey.They tend to hunt at night. Centipedes aren’t eating your wood or carrying a fatal disease. House centipedes just want to go after the bugs.

While they work as exterminators, house centipedes don’t leave any kind of webs or nests behind. So they are neat houseguests compared to other insects.In the rare chance, a centipede bites a person (which can happen when handled or stomped on with bare feet) the wound could be as painful as a bee sting.

It should be treated by cleaning the bite and applying antiseptic and using ice to reduce any swelling.

JON OSUMI/SHUTTERSTOCK

So, if you like most people would prefer not to host these many-legged monsters for so long, here are some ways to get rid of them:

First, make sure there isn’t any extra moisture in the walls, which you could fix by getting a dehumidifier or getting a fan installed in the bathrooms.Next, clear your home of any debris that’s causing moisture to leak into the walls.

Check under sinks and in the basement for leaks. Ensure shower and sink drains are working properly and leaving no puddles to attract them.Next, seal any cracks and openings that might appear around doors, windowsills, and corners.

You may also find them where pipes and electric lines enter the home.

Leave no hole for any creepy crawlies to get through.

This step may also help with eliminating other pests, which are the centipedes’ food. If there is no prey around, they will have to hunt elsewhere. But if the prey sticks around, then more centipedes will follow.With this in mind, mend any torn screens and maintain the weatherstripping around the doors and windows. Clean any spiderwebs when you find them.

Check your crawlspaces and the basement for any nests or cockroaches. Check the dryer vent to ensure it is sealed properly to avoid house pests getting inside.Set up sticky traps, cedarwood sprays, vinegar baths, and sprinkle baking soda around problematic areas. Of course, call pest control to solve the problem when necessary.

When you are on the prowl for a particular centipede, don’t crush it with a tissue. This could leave some unpleasant and sticky stains.Instead, use a vacuum to grab them and empty the vacuum cup or bag into a sealable plastic bag and deposit it in an outdoor garbage can.

You can also invest in diatomaceous earth, which is a powdered substance that could kill different kinds of indoor pests.

Sprinkle the substance around corners, doors, cracks, and damp areas; wait at least 24 hours before vacuuming it all up. While you’re at it, centipedes are often found around bathrooms and sinks, so pour vinegar or bleach (not both since the combination could be dangerous) down the drain to get rid of potential lurkers.In the event of a serious infestation, invest in insecticide sprays or dust (taking care to follow the safety instructions), or even a professional exterminator.

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