House centipedes are fascinating creatures often found in homes and other indoor spaces. Although their appearance can be quite alarming, especially for those who are not fond of insects and other creepy crawlies, it is essential to determine if they pose any threat to us.
These arthropods are typically brownish-gray in color, possessing 15 pairs of long legs that often grab our attention. An interesting fact about house centipedes is that they can live for over a year and have the ability to reproduce indoors. However, don’t worry; they tend to be found in small numbers, so infestations are rare.
Regarding the question of whether or not house centipedes bite, the answer is yes, but with a caveat. Their fangs can deliver a bite similar to a wasp sting, which can be painful but is rarely dangerous. In fact, house centipedes play an essential role in controlling other pests, as they prey on insects and other arachnids. As long as you’re not allergic to their venom, you can coexist with these useful creatures without much trouble.
Do House Centipedes Bite?
Venomous Bites
House centipedes do possess venomous bites, but they usually reserve these for their prey. They are predatory arthropods and use their venomous bites to subdue or kill other small insects like silverfish, firebrats, and cockroaches.
Pain and Symptoms
Although very rare, house centipedes can bite humans in self-defense. In most cases, a house centipede bite is not serious and causes symptoms similar to a bee sting. This can include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Redness
Allergic Reactions to Bites
Some individuals might experience allergic reactions to a house centipede bite. If you are bitten and notice any of the following symptoms, it might indicate an allergic reaction, and you should seek medical attention:
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid heartbeat
- Swelling of the face or throat
Keep in mind that house centipede bites are uncommon and only occur when the centipede feels threatened. They are generally not considered a danger to humans and mostly help keep other pest populations in check.
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Wow this is a great pic! I was finding these all over my apartment and now that I know they’re harmless, I’ll try not to scream like a little girl when I see them anymore. The latest one I named PET-PET the SLAYER of SILVERFISH!…and I called him a crickapede since i had NO idea what he was. Sadly he died in the bathtub where he fell when I was cleaning, but from now on if i’m lucky enough to get another one I’ll have no fear of them and rescue them if possible! Thanks so much!
Ryn
Will this centipede bite and leave a blister that looks like a burn?
They are a fright at first sight. My first (and only- but not for lack of using maximum peripheral vision at all times since) was last year in my laundry room.
centipedes can bite, never heard of a house cetipede doing so. They do have venom, and one could be allergic to the venom, but it’s not harmful otherwise.
I can ignore these for only so long. The other night, one fairly flew across my face whilst I was attempting sleep. Needless to say, that one had to be flailed, screamed at, and, finally, exterminated. Other than that, these guys are really beneficial.
(Nor did I get any sleep thereafter.)
I’ve been bitten by an 8 inch giant centipede…I can tell you, the bite is pretty overrated. I did take two antihistamines after the bite (just in case I was allergic) and the bites were a little painful, a little swollen and after a couple of days they oozed some watery liquid…and itched infuriatingly…but that was it, no terrifying horrible agonizing pain as some people describe it!!! (I still have a scar from the bites though, and I was bitten over a year ago)
This is more of a question, than a comment. Are House Centipedes poisonious to cats and dogs? My email address is flipperlip1971@yahoo.com
House Centipedes have venom, but it is not considered, to the best of our knowldege, to be dangerous. Cats enjoy playing with House Centipedes, though this generally ends with the Centipede dying.
Wanted to add that house centipedes travel in pairs. Over the years in every encounter, when I have found one, I found its mate within a yard’s distance.
What an interesting observation. We have always considered them to be solitary creatures and we suspect they might even be cannibalistic, as this posting indicates: https://www.whatsthatbug.com/2007/06/16/house-centipede-eats-house-centipede-survival-of-the-fittest/
How do I get rid of house centipedes ? We have ALOT of them!
We do not provide extermination advice.
These house centipedes do bite. I was transporting old books in boxes in my car and one of these managed to climb up my car seat an drop onto my shoulder by my neck and bit me. It felt like a bee sting. I smacked it dead. I had left a purple spot where it bit me and it later left it itchy and finally went away.