Centipedes
Scutigera coleoptrata (House Centipede)
House centipedes are actually beneficial predators that eat spiders, roaches, and silverfish — but their presence indoors usually signals a larger pest or moisture problem.
House centipedes are among the most startling-looking pests homeowners encounter, with their elongated bodies, 15 pairs of long, banded legs, and remarkably fast movement — they can run up to 1.3 feet per second. Despite their alarming appearance, house centipedes (Scutigera coleoptrata) are actually beneficial predators that feed on cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, carpet beetles, bed bugs, and other household pests.
House centipedes are typically 1-1.5 inches long with a yellowish-gray body and three dark dorsal stripes. Unlike outdoor centipedes (which can grow much larger), house centipedes have adapted to indoor environments and are commonly found in basements, bathrooms, closets, and crawl spaces. They require high humidity to survive, as their exoskeletons lack the waxy coating that prevents water loss in most insects.
While house centipedes can technically bite if handled, their jaws rarely penetrate human skin, and bites are extremely rare. When they do occur, the effect is comparable to a mild bee sting and resolves quickly. They are not considered medically significant.
The key insight about centipedes is that they are indicator pests. A large centipede population in your home almost certainly means there is a substantial population of other pests for them to feed on. If you are seeing centipedes regularly, there is likely an underlying issue with moisture, structural entry points, or another pest infestation.
Outdoor centipede species in the United States include the larger soil centipedes and stone centipedes, which occasionally wander indoors through foundation cracks. In the southern states, the Texas redheaded centipede (Scolopendra heros) can reach 6-8 inches and delivers a painful, medically significant bite that causes localized swelling and pain lasting several hours.
Managing house centipedes is best accomplished by addressing the conditions that attract them: reducing indoor humidity, sealing entry points, and eliminating the prey insects they feed on. Direct chemical treatment is rarely necessary and often counterproductive, since centipedes help control other pest populations.
Signs of Infestation
Prevention Tips
Treatment Options
Moisture reduction
$100 - $300 (dehumidifier)Dehumidifiers, improved ventilation, and leak repairs to lower indoor humidity below 60%, making the environment unsuitable for centipedes.
Sticky trap monitoring
$5 - $15 for a packGlue traps placed along baseboards and in bathrooms catch centipedes and help identify the severity and location of activity.
Residual insecticide perimeter treatment
$100 - $250 per treatmentProfessional applies residual spray along the exterior foundation and key interior areas to create a barrier against entry.
Diatomaceous earth in voids
$8 - $15 for a bagFood-grade DE applied in wall voids, behind baseboards, and around pipe penetrations. Damages the centipede exoskeleton causing dehydration.
Integrated pest management (treating prey pests)
Varies based on target pestEliminating the roaches, spiders, and silverfish centipedes feed on. Once the food source is gone, centipede populations decline naturally.
Quick Facts
- Danger Level
- low
- Peak Season
- Spring and fall (seeking indoor moisture)
- Average Cost
- $100 - $250
- Scientific Name
- Scutigera coleoptrata (House Centipede)
Expert Reviewed
American Pest Guide Editorial Team
Licensed Pest Control Professionals & Entomology Consultants
Our content is researched and reviewed by licensed pest management professionals with field experience across all 50 states. Treatment recommendations follow EPA guidelines and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) best practices.
Centipedes — Scutigera coleoptrata (House Centipede)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Centipedes
Should I kill house centipedes?
House centipedes are actually beneficial predators that eat cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, and bed bugs. Unless you have a severe population or are in an area with dangerous centipede species (like the Texas redheaded centipede), it is generally better to address the underlying pest and moisture problem that attracts them.
Do house centipedes bite?
House centipedes can technically bite if handled, but their jaws rarely penetrate human skin. When bites do occur (very rarely), the effect is similar to a mild bee sting and resolves quickly. They are not considered medically significant.
Why am I suddenly seeing centipedes in my house?
A sudden increase in centipede sightings usually means one of two things: there is a growing population of prey insects (roaches, silverfish, spiders) that centipedes are feeding on, or seasonal changes (spring/fall) are driving them indoors to seek moisture and shelter.
What attracts centipedes indoors?
Two things: moisture and food. Centipedes need high humidity to survive (their exoskeletons lose water easily), and they follow their prey insects indoors. Fix leaky pipes, use dehumidifiers, and address the underlying pest problem to make your home less attractive to centipedes.