
Once they have their meal lassoed tight, they can use their pincers to bite and consume the prey. Some even beat the prey bugs into submission. When they find one, they’ll use their legs to pounce and trap the bug. Instead, they lurk around in the dead of night and search for insects they can ambush. They don’t build traps or produce webs of any kind. Not only that, but those legs can also help capture prey. That’s far faster than most household bugs. They have about 15 pairs of legs that help them scurry across the floor at a rate of about 1.3 feet per second. While most shudder at the thought of having them in the home, centipedes act actually as tiny exterminators to get rid of other pests! They eat everything from larger cockroaches, spiders, and wasps to smaller ants and termites! They’re even a predator of bed bugs. Believe it or not, but the house centipede is a skilled predator. These creepy crawlies prefer to snack on other insects. That’s why they quickly flee anytime you make yourself known! Now, just because the house centipede isn’t dangerous to humans, that doesn’t mean that you should pick them up or try to interact with them! House centipedes can bite you, but those instances are pretty rare.Ī house centipede has no interest in you whatsoever.

But the common house centipede, scientifically known as Scutigera coleoptrata, is not dangerous to humans or pets. Quick Tip: Many people mistake these bugs for their larger cousins, which can actually pose a threat to humans. However, there’s no need to panic at the sight of them!Ĭontrary to popular belief, the average house centipede is not dangerous to humans. There’s no shame in finding these insects a bit spooky.

House centipedes are one of the creepiest insects you can encounter! Their worm-like appearance is made even more unsettling with about 15 pairs of undulating legs! To top it all off, these insects are fast movers that can quickly duck out of sight just as fast as they appeared.
