How Long Do House Centipedes Live: Surprising Facts Revealed

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House centipedes are fascinating creatures that often make their way into our homes. These arthropods have a unique appearance, with their long, flattened bodies and numerous legs. Typically found in damp and dark environments, house centipedes can be seen in basements, storage areas, and even under logs or rocks outdoors.

The lifespan of house centipedes may come as a surprise to many, as some species can live up to six years. As the only species capable of reproducing in our homes, the house centipede can become a common sight, especially in areas with high humidity.

As we delve deeper into the world of house centipedes, it is important to understand their behavior and preferred living conditions. This knowledge can guide us in managing their presence and appreciating the role they play in our ecosystem.

House Centipede Basics

Centipede vs Spider

House centipedes and spiders are both arthropods, but they differ in several ways. Here’s a comparison table of their features:

Feature Centipede Spider
Legs 30 (15 pairs) 8
Body Segments Multiple 2 (Cephalothorax & Abdomen)
Predators Yes Yes
Habitat Moist & dark areas Various

Arthropod Features

House centipedes possess several key arthropod features:

  • Exoskeleton: A hard, protective outer covering.
  • Jointed appendages: Legs and antennae that allow for better movement and sensing capabilities.
  • Segmented body: Multiple body segments, each with a pair of legs in centipedes.
  • Molting: Shedding their exoskeleton to allow for growth.

Scutigera Coleoptrata

Scutigera coleoptrata is the scientific name for the common house centipede. Here are a few characteristics of this species:

  • Origin: Native to the Mediterranean region, but now widespread throughout the world1.
  • Habitat: Moist and dark areas, including basements, closets, and bathrooms2.
  • Appearance: 1 1/2 inches long, with 15 pairs of long, slender legs; brown to grayish-yellow body with three dark stripes on top3.
  • Lifespan: House centipedes can live over one year and breed slowly4.
  • Diet: Predatory arthropod, feeding on insects, spiders, and other small creatures.

Habitat and Distribution

Indoor Habitats

House centipedes prefer dark and damp spaces indoors, making them common inhabitants of basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces. They are often found hiding in cracks and crevices, where they can maintain a higher level of humidity. Some examples of indoor habitats where house centipedes are frequently found include:

  • Damp basements
  • Leaky bathrooms
  • Humid crawl spaces

Outdoor Habitats

Outdoors, house centipedes can be discovered in various moist environments such as:

  • Rotting logs
  • Mulch
  • Potting soil
  • Leaf litter

These settings provide the necessary moisture and soil conditions for house centipedes to thrive. They seek the protection and humidity these habitats offer.

Regions of Presence

Originally from the Mediterranean region, house centipedes have now spread to different parts of the world, including North America. In the United States, they are commonly found inside homes and buildings, particularly in temperate zones like Connecticut1. Here’s a table showing the regions where house centipedes are present:

Region Indoor/Outdoor Presence
Mediterranean Both Native Habitat
North America Indoor Commonly Found
United States Indoor Temperate Zones

In summary, house centipedes live in various indoor and outdoor habitats with humidity and moisture. They have a worldwide distribution, but are particularly common in temperate zones of the United States.

Anatomy and Physiology

Body and Legs

The house centipede’s body is brown to grayish-yellow, with three dark stripes on top. It has a flattened, segmented structure, giving it a distinctive appearance.

  • Segments: Up to 1 1/2 inches long

House centipedes possess 15 pairs of legs, with each pair attached to a body segment. These long, slender legs increase in length from the front to the back of the body.

  • Leg appearance: Almost thread-like, with dark and white bands
  • Leg function: Help in capturing prey, thanks to their barbed nature

Antennae and Eyes

House centipedes have long, slender antennae that aid in navigation and sensing their environment. These creatures also have well-developed, faceted, compound eyes, unlike many other centipede species. This characteristic allows them to see better and navigate their surroundings more effectively.

Example: The house centipede’s eyes can detect movement and light changes, enabling them to locate and capture small prey like insects.


Comparison between House Centipede and Other Centipedes

Feature House Centipede Other Centipedes
Legs 15 pairs, banded, barbed, increase in length Varies, mostly shorter, non-banded, non-barbed
Eyes Well-developed, faceted, compound eyes Often less-developed or lacking compound eyes
Body Brown to grayish-yellow, flattened, segmented Varies, often cylindrical, segmented
Habitat Primarily indoors, can be found in moist areas More commonly found outdoors, in soil and leaf litter

House Centipedes in Daily Life

Diet and Predators

House centipedes are known for their diverse diet, which helps them to thrive in various environments. They primarily feed on:

  • Crickets
  • Cockroaches
  • Silverfish
  • Worms

Being a nocturnal species, house centipedes hunt for prey during the night1. In turn, they face predators such as:

  • Lizards
  • Snakes
  • Birds
  • Frogs

Speed and Movement

One key feature of house centipedes is their exceptional speed. They can move quickly to capture prey or escape from predators. Their unique movement is due to:

  • 15 pairs of long, slender legs
  • Rapid leg motion allowing for fast acceleration2

Nocturnal Lifestyle

House centipedes lead a nocturnal lifestyle, which means they are active during the night and rest during the day. This behavior has several benefits:

  • Enhanced ability to capture prey
  • Reduced risk of being detected by predators
  • Adaptation to dark and humid environments3

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Eggs and Larvae

House centipedes reproduce by laying eggs. Female house centipedes lay around 35 eggs in damp soil or under rocks, where they are somewhat protected from predators1. During the larval stage, centipedes have fewer legs, with each succeeding molt adding a new pair of legs2.

Molting and Growth

Centipedes go through a series of molts as they grow. The number of molts varies depending on the species, but it can be up to eight or more3. Key points to know:

  • Molts are essential for growth
  • Centipedes add legs with each molt

During this process, house centipedes will shed their exoskeleton and grow a new one, allowing them to expand as they grow in size.

Adult Life Span

House centipedes have a relatively short lifespan. On average, they live for approximately one to three years4.

To summarize:

  • Lifespan of 1-3 years
  • Growth occurs through molting5

Comparing house centipedes to other species:

Species Average Life Span Reproduction Method Molts Necessary
House Centipede 1-3 years Eggs Up to 8 or more depending on species
Other Centipede Varies Varies Varies

Encounters and Interactions

Bites and Treatment

House centipedes usually avoid humans, but they may bite if threatened. Their bites can be painful but are usually not dangerous. Symptoms of a bite include:

  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Itching

To treat a house centipede bite:

  1. Clean the bite area with soap and water.
  2. Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling.

Benefits and Nuisances

Benefits:

  • House centipedes help control pests such as termites, spiders, and cockroaches by eating them.
  • They are a natural form of pest control.

Nuisances:

  • Their appearance can be unsettling.
  • They may occasionally enter homes.

Are They Dangerous?

Venom Glands:
House centipedes have venom glands, which they use to paralyze their prey.

Venomous Bite:
Although they have venom, a house centipede’s bite typically doesn’t pose a serious threat to humans. However, individuals with allergies to insect stings should exercise caution.

Dangerous or Not?

  House Centipedes
Venomous bite Yes
Dangerous No (generally)
Nuisance Yes

In summary, house centipedes are generally not dangerous to humans. Their bites can cause pain and irritation but aren’t life-threatening. They are more of a nuisance but also provide some benefits in controlling other pests.

Control and Prevention

Pest Control Methods

Controlling house centipedes (Scutigera coleoptrata) typically involves using chemical or non-chemical methods. Some common chemical options include:

  • Pesticides: Apply them specifically to problem areas, like cracks and crevices, where centipedes are likely to hide.
  • Residual sprays: These can be applied around the perimeter of your home to deter centipedes from entering.

Non-chemical methods include:

  • Sticky traps: Place them near areas where centipedes are frequently seen to catch them.
  • Sealing gaps: Close off cracks and crevices to eliminate centipede hiding spots.

Natural Remedies

Some natural remedies for controlling house centipedes include:

  • Diatomaceous earth: This natural powder is effective against centipedes by damaging their exoskeleton and causing dehydration.
  • Essential oils: A mix of peppermint, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil can repel centipedes when applied around the home.

Creating Unfavorable Conditions

Making your home less attractive to centipedes involves reducing moisture and limiting food sources. Consider implementing the following measures:

  • Dehumidifiers: Install them in damp areas to reduce humidity.
  • Fans: Utilizing fans can improve air circulation and decrease moisture levels.
  • Eliminate clutter: Organizing and cleaning your home minimizes potential hiding spots.
  • Pest control: By reducing the presence of other pests, you decrease the house centipede’s food sources.

Remember, early intervention and education are essential for effectively controlling and preventing house centipede infestations in the U.S.

Identification and Expertise

Morphology and Characteristics

House centipedes belong to the Scutigeromorpha order, and their unique morphology sets them apart from other centipedes.

  • Brown to grayish-yellow body
  • Three dark stripes on top
  • Up to 1.5 inches long
  • 15 pairs of long, slender legs with dark and white bands
  • Flattened, segmented bodies with one pair of legs per segment (source)

These creatures are not herbivores or detritivores but feed on small arthropods, including pest insects like firebrats and carpet beetle larvae, and even bed bugs. They prefer damp environments and can be found hiding in closets, under potted plants, or amongst firewood (source).

Centipedes Bed Bugs Firebrats Carpet Beetle Larvae
Long legs No legs Six legs Six legs
Striped Oval Elongated Worm-like
Predators Parasite Herbivore Detritivore

Consulting Professionals

If you are unsure about identifying house centipedes or getting rid of them, consult with professionals who have expertise in the Myriapoda class. These experts can help with:

  • Proper identification of centipedes and other pests
  • Assessing the situation and extent of infestation
  • Recommending appropriate treatment methods and prevention measures
  • Setting up sticky traps in strategic locations to control infestations

Professionals can also help you differentiate between house centipedes and their prey, such as firebrats or carpet beetle larvae, and provide guidance on overall pest management.

Footnotes

  1. https://extension.psu.edu/house-centipedes 2 3 4
  2. https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/house-centipede 2 3
  3. https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/house-centipede 2 3
  4. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/centipedes/ 2
  5. Oklahoma State University – Centipedes and Millipedes

 

 

 

House Centipede Extinguished

 

 

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Authors

  • Bugman

    Bugman aka Daniel Marlos has been identifying bugs since 1999. whatsthatbug.com is his passion project and it has helped millions of readers identify the bug that has been bugging them for over two decades. You can reach out to him through our Contact Page.

    View all posts
  • Piyushi is a nature lover, blogger and traveler at heart. She lives in beautiful Canada with her family. Piyushi is an animal lover and loves to write about all creatures.

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Tags: Centipedes

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15 Comments. Leave new

  • we have these in saint pual mn too and every time my dogs or ccats try to get them they get bit or stung hard! these are some mean ones!

    Reply
  • I just saw 2 really big centipedes in my house. I don’t want to kill them but I’m reading on some of these sites that they bite and can produce an allergic reaction. My partner is allergic to bees. Do I have a problem?

    Reply
    • We are not qualified medical professionals. We would suggest that your partner consult with the professional that diagnosed the allergy to bees.

      Reply
  • Okay i found one of these big things in my room late at night. it was just the one, but i completely freaked out and killed it. Its been pretty damp weather lately and i’ve had my window open (the mesh isnt sealed so well) so im assuming that is how it got in. Anyways this centipede looked like more then 2 inches to me but i was probably just overreacting, i know its dead because i really squashed it. I dont care (and wouldn’t kill them) if i just find them in other parts of my apartment like the kitchen, or living room, or bathrooms I just need some reassurance that there are not a bunch of these large centipedes in my bedroom that are crawling all over me when I’m asleep.
    Thanks ,
    Rebekah

    Reply
    • We cannot provide any such assurance with regards to the number of House Centipedes you might be sharing your dwelling with.

      Reply
  • Okay i found one of these big things in my room late at night. it was just the one, but i completely freaked out and killed it. Its been pretty damp weather lately and i’ve had my window open (the mesh isnt sealed so well) so im assuming that is how it got in. Anyways this centipede looked like more then 2 inches to me but i was probably just overreacting, i know its dead because i really squashed it. I dont care (and wouldn’t kill them) if i just find them in other parts of my apartment like the kitchen, or living room, or bathrooms I just need some reassurance that there are not a bunch of these large centipedes in my bedroom that are crawling all over me when I’m asleep.
    Thanks ,
    Rebekah

    Reply
  • just adding another question to the one i left before. I’m looking this stuff up and people keep saying they are very aggressive and will sting you. Please tell me thats not true
    thanks
    rebekah

    Reply
  • just adding another question to the one i left before. I’m looking this stuff up and people keep saying they are very aggressive and will sting you. Please tell me thats not true
    thanks
    rebekah

    Reply
  • Is it true they usually die soon in a house because of the dry conditions? If so, how soon can I expect to find a dead house centipede falling out of my cereal box?

    Reply
  • Can I add my guy to the photo pool? Saved from certain death, by pussycats, this morning.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa1969/14231748124/

    Reply
  • Can I add my guy to the photo pool? Saved from certain death, by pussycats, this morning.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa1969/14231748124/

    Reply
  • Kudos to Lawn/Shrimp! We need more folks like you who respect all life—not just human or selective mammals. Good to know I’m not the only one who goes way out of their way to help these creatures. Earlier this year, I rescued a praying mantis from an abandoned spider web—it was just hanging upside-down by one leg about 15 feet off the ground. It had a string of web stuck under one of the wings, but I was able to carefully remove it without injuring the mantis and released it successfully. Always feels good to help a living thing—large or small. Pass it along!

    Reply

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