House Centipede Control – How to Get Rid of Hairy Centipedes in Your Home

Do you keep seeing a house centipede running across your bathroom or basement floor? These fast, creepy, hairy centipedes are known for their long legs and sudden movements. They usually enter homes to escape extreme temperatures, find dark places to hide, and seek humidity or to hunt other insects. While they are not very dangerous to humans, their appearance alone is enough to cause discomfort, because everyone knows that its bite hurts, and that if you are allergic, the situation becomes more complicated.

What Is a House Centipede?

The house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) is a common insect found in homes around the world. Unlike other pests, it does not damage property or spread diseases, but it moves quickly and hides in dark, moist places like bathrooms, basements, and closets. Most people prefer to get rid of them due to their disturbing appearance.

They are also called hairy centipedes because of their long, fuzzy-looking legs.

Description and Physical Features

A typical house centipede has:

• 15 pairs of long legs

• A body length of 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches)

• Yellowish-gray body with darker stripes

• Large antennae and fast movements

Despite their terrifying look, house centipedes are beneficial predators. They feed on cockroaches, silverfish, ants, spiders and other insects that bother us.

Where Do House Centipedes Hide?

They prefer moist, dark, and cool environments, including:

• Bathroom corners and under sinks

• Basements and crawl spaces

• Under furniture or appliances

• Behind baseboards

• Inside wall voids and pipe gaps

They usually come out at night and avoid direct light.

Are House Centipedes Dangerous?

House centipedes do not bite humans unless provoked. Even when they do, their bite is harmless in most cases, similar to a bee sting. However, for allergic individuals, there may be minor swelling or irritation.

They are not poisonous to humans and are actually helpful in keeping insect populations under control.

Life Cycle of a House Centipede

• Mating occurs in spring

• Females lay 10–60 eggs in damp soil or under debris

• Eggs hatch in 1–2 months (depending on humidity/temperature)

• Juveniles develop over 3–4 molts until adulthood (1–2 years)

• Lifespan: up to 5 years, longer than most household insects

Some species even protect their eggs or young during early development.

House Centipede vs Other Centipedes

What Attracts House Centipedes?

They enter homes looking for:

• Food: small insects and larvae

• Humidity: they need moisture to survive

• Shelter: protection from cold or heat

They are drawn to existing insect problems, which means their presence might be a sign of other infestations.

How to Prevent House Centipedes

To keep house centipedes out:

• Use dehumidifiers in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements

• Seal cracks, pipe gaps, and foundation holes

• Fix leaking faucets or poor drainage

• Remove leaf piles, stones, and wood debris outside

• Keep rooms well ventilated

How to Get Rid of House Centipedes

There are both natural and chemical methods to eliminate them:

Natural Options

• Diatomaceous Earth – kills insects by drying them out

• Essential oils – peppermint and tea tree oil work well

• Sticky traps – great for monitoring activity

Chemical Options

• Residual insecticide sprays – apply to baseboards, corners, behind furniture

• Insecticide dust – for deep cracks or crawlspaces

• Perimeter treatment – outside foundation or entry points

• Always follow the label instructions when using chemicals.

Are House Centipedes Good or Bad?

It depends on your perspective:

• Good: They kill cockroaches, spiders, termites, and bed bugs

• Bad: They are scary, fast, and hard to catch

Most people prefer to keep them out even though they offer natural pest control benefits.

FAQ – People Also Ask

Do house centipedes go in beds?

Yes, they can if the environment is moist and dark. However, they usually avoid humans and stay near walls or corners.

Can house centipedes climb walls?

Yes, they are excellent climbers, especially on rough surfaces like drywall or concrete.

Are house centipedes common in apartments?

Yes. Especially in older buildings, ground floors, or places with leaky pipes or poor airflow.

Do house centipedes multiply fast?

No. They reproduce slowly and are not colonial insects. Seeing one doesn’t mean you have an infestation – but it’s a sign to check for humidity or insect problems.

Final Tips for Controlling House Centipedes

• Eliminate their food source (other insects)

• Keep your home dry and sealed

• Use non-toxic deterrents or safe insecticides

• Clean regularly behind furniture and in hidden corners

• Don’t panic – one centipede is not a major threat

Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Pest control laws and approved chemicals vary by country. For best results and legal safety, we strongly recommend contacting a licensed pest control professional in your local area. Always make sure that the pest control technician is properly certified or licensed, depending on your country’s regulations. It’s important to confirm that they only use approved products and apply them exactly as instructed on the product label. In most places in Europe, UK, or USA, following label directions is not just best practice—it’s the law.