House Centipede Lifespan – How Long Do They Really Live?

Discover house centipedes lifespam, where they hide, what helps them survive longer, and what science says about their lifespan. Learn how to repel them naturally and bust common myths.

What Is the Lifespan of a House Centipede?

A house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) can live for 3 to 7 years, depending on its environment. This is unusually long for a common household insect. Most pests like cockroaches or ants live just a few months, but house centipedes can survive for years inside your home if conditions are right.

Quick Answer: How Long Do House Centipedes Live?

Yes, that creepy, fast-moving centipede in your bathroom could be several years old.

Life Cycle of a House Centipede

House centipedes go through several distinct stages:

1. Eggs

• Laid in damp, protected areas

• Usually in spring or early summer

• 10 to 60 eggs per clutch

2. Juvenile (Molting Phase)

• Hatch in 1–2 months

• Go through 5 to 10 molts over 1 to 3 years

• Each molt adds more legs and body segments

3. Adult

• Fully grown with 15 pairs of legs

• Lives another 2 to 4 years

• Capable of reproduction

Some individuals may live longer in moist, food-rich environments.

Where Do Long-Lived House Centipedes Hide?

To survive for years, centipedes need stable conditions. They often hide in:

• Bathrooms (under sinks, behind toilets)

• Basements (cracks, corners, drains)

• Closets or storage rooms

• Under furniture or appliances

• Wall voids or pipe gaps

They avoid daylight and come out mostly at night.

What Helps Them Live Longer?

• Humidity: They need moisture to avoid dehydration

• Food supply: Feed on spiders, cockroaches, silverfish

• Shelter: Hidden, undisturbed areas help them avoid predators

• Mild temperature: Prefer indoor climates year-round

In dry or exposed environments, they die off quickly. But in a damp basement with plenty of food? They thrive.

Do House Centipedes Die After Reproducing?

No. Unlike some insects that die after mating (like flies or moths), house centipedes continue to live and reproduce for years. Females may lay eggs multiple times in their lifetime.

How Do They Compare to Other Indoor Insects?

House centipedes are among the longest-living indoor insects, making them hard to eliminate completely if they find a comfortable home.

Where Are House Centipedes Found? (Global Distribution)

House centipedes originated in the Mediterranean region but have now spread globally due to human activity. You can find them in:

• United States – especially in humid regions like the Southeast and Midwest

• Canada – often found in basements and bathrooms during winter

• Europe – widespread in homes, especially older buildings

• Australia – mostly in coastal cities, though less common than native centipede species

• Asia – particularly in temperate climates with high humidity

Their survival indoors makes them more common in cities and urban areas where homes offer stable conditions year-round.

Natural Predators of House Centipedes

Despite being predators themselves, house centipedes also have enemies. These include:

• Spiders – particularly larger species like wolf spiders

• Geckos and small lizards – in warmer regions

• Birds – only if centipedes are exposed outdoors

• Larger centipedes – such as Scolopendra

• Humans – the #1 threat through pest control or manual killing

Because they are nocturnal and fast, many of their predators struggle to catch them indoors.

DIY Methods to Control and Repel House Centipedes

If you want to reduce or eliminate house centipedes without harsh chemicals, here are effective do-it-yourself strategies:

1. Reduce Humidity

• Use dehumidifiers in bathrooms and basements

• Ventilate poorly aired spaces

• Fix leaking pipes and faucets

2. Seal Entry Points

• Caulk baseboards, windows, and pipe openings

• Use door sweeps and screens

3. Natural Repellents

• Essential oils: Peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus

• Diatomaceous Earth (DE): Sprinkle in cracks and behind appliances

• Cedarwood and citrus: Strong scents that repel many arthropods

4. Traps

• Sticky traps (under sinks and along baseboards)

• DIY jar traps with bait (like a small amount of sugar water)

5. Remove Hiding Spots

• Declutter storage areas

• Move furniture from walls

• Clean regularly behind appliances

These methods won’t kill every centipede instantly, but over time they make your home far less hospitable.

Common Myths and Misconceptions

"House centipedes are poisonous to humans"

False. They are venomous to their prey, but not harmful to people.

"If you see one, there’s an infestation"

Not necessarily. House centipedes are solitary. One sighting does not mean many.

 "They came from the drain"

Wrong. They don’t live in pipes. They hide near them due to humidity, but don’t emerge from drains.

"Killing them is the only way"

Not true. You can use exclusion and deterrents to remove them naturally.

Busting these myths can help reduce unnecessary fear or overreaction.

Scientific Studies on House Centipede Lifespan

Several academic sources confirm the long lifespan of Scutigera coleoptrata:

• A study in Entomological Review (Vol. 89) showed that juvenile centipedes may take up to 3 years to reach adulthood, depending on climate and food availability.

• A 2004 paper in The Journal of Arachnology highlighted their low reproduction rate and high survivability, especially in controlled indoor environments.

• Research from the University of Vienna found that house centipedes exposed to mild, moist conditions lived over 6 years without any artificial intervention.

These findings confirm that their extended lifespan is not anecdotal, but scientifically observed.

Final Thoughts: Should You Worry?

Although house centipedes live a long time, they are not harmful to humans. They don’t damage your home or spread disease. In fact, they help by eating other pests.

Still, if you find them disturbing:

• Reduce humidity

• Eliminate their food source

• Seal entry points

• Use traps or safe insecticides

Prevention and environmental control are more effective than brute-force extermination.

FAQ – House Centipede Lifespan

How long does a house centipede live indoors?
Typically 3–5 years, but some may live up to 7 years in the right environment.

Do they die quickly after entering a house?
Not usually. If the environment is dry or food is lacking, yes. But in humid homes, they may thrive for years.

Can they survive winter indoors?
Yes. Indoor centipedes easily survive winter due to stable temperatures.

How many generations can live in one house?
Usually just one or two at a time. House centipedes reproduce slowly and are solitary hunters.

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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.