multi-colored centipede?
Below is a centipede found yesterday in my livingroom in upstate South Carolina. (Our home is surrounded by woods, if that helps ID.) It is about 2.5 inches long and speedy. Sorry about the lighting changes in the photos. He was moving so fast, I had a hard time just getting a picture in which his/her legs weren’t blurred. After browsing through your awesome site, I’m guessing it is some sort of multi-colored centipede. Would you agree? I’m unsure and emailing primarily because I keep reading elsewhere that they live in the western U.S. I have two very enthusiastic little nature "collectors" (photos only) that I don’t care to see bitten. Thanks,
Robbin Dawson
I’m too impatient. I just found him on bugguide.net. He’s a Florida Blue Centipede (Hemiscolopendra Marginata). Thanks anyway. Your site is invaluable to our bug ID efforts.
Robbin Dawson
Hi Robbin,
We are happy you have correctly identified your Florida Blue Centipede, Hemiscolopendra marginata. We do not stay tethered to the computer, and only post new letters once a day.
I see this thread is now seven years old, but I’m hoping someone is still watching. I was bitten by what I now know is the Florida Blue more than 3 months ago. Initial reaction : major pain for a week. That subsided after about two weeks then it back with a vengeance. It’s just above my elbow, so my whole right arm is practically useless. Intense pain – still! No lying on it in bed, etc.
Local dr gave a steroid injection around mid-dec. After a couple days pain alleviated some. It’s now mostly worn off, so my arm’s “battery” is very short.
I’d give a lot to have it go away for good. Any suggestions would be VERY appreciated!
Oh- we find at least one a week – inside -(!) here in N.Fl.
Thank you, ahead, for any kind of assistance.
K
I see this thread is now seven years old, but I’m hoping someone is still watching. I was bitten by what I now know is the Florida Blue more than 3 months ago. Initial reaction : major pain for a week. That subsided after about two weeks then it back with a vengeance. It’s just above my elbow, so my whole right arm is practically useless. Intense pain – still! No lying on it in bed, etc.
Local dr gave a steroid injection around mid-dec. After a couple days pain alleviated some. It’s now mostly worn off, so my arm’s “battery” is very short.
I’d give a lot to have it go away for good. Any suggestions would be VERY appreciated!
Oh- we find at least one a week – inside -(!) here in N.Fl.
Thank you, ahead, for any kind of assistance.
K
Hello Kristy!
Have these here in Miami Florida too, in the backyard.
By personal experience and articles, they LOVE living under wood.
Could be fallen logs, any pieces of wood, and certainly rotten wood.
Today I have seen 3 and any that his before I could see them, and all I did was clear rotten logs from the ground left by previous owner.
They are active at night outside, inside they will hide anywhere as you’ve surely seen.
Clearing by a man, of rotten or fallen wood pieces or logs from the ground, any kind of large debris would limit their hiding/ living spaces.
Also hide under rocks.
Try to deal your house by making sure there are no spots they can come through, and use rubber or plastic seals that attach to your doors.
If you have any sliding doors they can also be insulated with the right product so that no bugs can fit through.
Those you can find at local hardware stores for the home or asking a knowledgeable person.
For control besides any poison spray, there is something called Diatomaceous Earth, it is a powder that must remain dry to work, it kills the centipede after they come in contact with it, roaches, and anything that is a bug with a hard exterior shell.
Let me know if you need more info!
Hello Kristy!
Have these here in Miami Florida too, in the backyard.
By personal experience and articles, they LOVE living under wood.
Could be fallen logs, any pieces of wood, and certainly rotten wood.
Today I have seen 3 and any that his before I could see them, and all I did was clear rotten logs from the ground left by previous owner.
They are active at night outside, inside they will hide anywhere as you’ve surely seen.
Clearing by a man, of rotten or fallen wood pieces or logs from the ground, any kind of large debris would limit their hiding/ living spaces.
Also hide under rocks.
Try to deal your house by making sure there are no spots they can come through, and use rubber or plastic seals that attach to your doors.
If you have any sliding doors they can also be insulated with the right product so that no bugs can fit through.
Those you can find at local hardware stores for the home or asking a knowledgeable person.
For control besides any poison spray, there is something called Diatomaceous Earth, it is a powder that must remain dry to work, it kills the centipede after they come in contact with it, roaches, and anything that is a bug with a hard exterior shell.
Let me know if you need more info!
Diatomaceous Earth needs to be dry to work, it does not work immediately…but bugs die from dehydration..as you can imagine..slowly…..you can use it anywhere that remains dry or in front of doors where they could come across it.
If used only a little later is needed all across where they might come through.
You can also ask for poison that may work at your hardware home stores.
Diatomaceous Earth needs to be dry to work, it does not work immediately…but bugs die from dehydration..as you can imagine..slowly…..you can use it anywhere that remains dry or in front of doors where they could come across it.
If used only a little later is needed all across where they might come through.
You can also ask for poison that may work at your hardware home stores.
My son was awakened this morning when a centipede bit him around his ear. We captured it and we believe it is a Florida Blue Centipede. His ear is throbbing and very hot. All around it is red. He was in an upstairs room.