Centipedes do not go through a metamorphosis like many other bugs. Instead, they go through a series of moults. With each moult, certain species develop more body segments and functionality until they are fully mature. Other species develop all of their legs as embryos and simply grow larger through their moults.
House centipedes are actually beneficial because they capture flies, cockroaches, and other small household pests. They never damage plants or household items. When provoked, some large centipedes can inflict a painful bite that may cause localized swelling, discoloration, and numbness.
Smaller variants of centipedes produce nothing more than a painful, localized reaction, not unlike a bee sting. Larger species, however, administer more venom through a bite and can produce more extreme pain. While centipede bites can be extremely painful, they are not generally fatal to humans.
Some centipedes, like the house centipede, have even been found to survive up to 6 years. During this time, they pass through three primary life stages: eggs, nymphs, and adults.
Unless provoked to defend themselves, house centipedes rarely bite people or pets and mostly prefer trying to escape threatening situations. Also, although house centipede venom is not as toxic as some other centipede species and their bites rarely cause any serious effects.
Here's Why You Should Never Kill A House Centipede
This pest poses no threat to your health, does not build webs or nests indoors, and is great at killing other bugs. If you have the ability to, do not kill these pests when you see them. Instead, relocate them outdoors. Imagine this as putting them to work for you.
Centipedes are typically harmless, but they can be a nuisance when they get into your home. Different kinds of centipedes have been known to bite humans, some of them being quite painful.
Centipedes prefer moist, high-humidity environments to live. To eliminate these areas, repair water leaks, use dehumidifiers to keep basements dry, and run exhaust fans in bathrooms and attics to help eliminate excess moisture. Remove clutter. Centipedes will seek out spaces that provide protection.
Centipedes lay their eggs in the hollows of rotting logs or in the soil. Most females will tend to their eggs and hatchlings, curling their bodies around their brood for protection. In addition, eggs are prone to the growth of fungi and require grooming to ensure that they reach adulthood.
Baby centipedes are almost identical to adult centipedes. Whether fully grown or recently hatched, all centipedes have a similar flat, oval shape. Regardless of age, the insect's body is brownish-yellow in color with black stripes down the back.
Can Centipedes Climb? Yes, a centipede can climb walls, ceilings, beds, and furniture. They are excellent climbers and use tiny hooks at the end of their legs to cling to surfaces. That's why it's essential to take the abovementioned precautions to keep them in check.
Abstract. Arthropods may become lodged inside the ear and cause considerable emotional and physical trauma. Cases of centipedes being lodged in the external auditory canal have rarely been reported. In this article, we present the case of woman who had a centipede lodged inside her right external auditory canal.
Tea tree oil or Peppermint oil are overwhelming to centipedes. Add 25 drops of either essential oil into a spray bottle with 6 ounces of water. Spray around door frames, windows, small cracks and basement doors. Repeat once a week to keep centipedes away.
Typically, bite victims have severe pain, swelling and redness at the site of the bite, with symptoms usually lasting less than 48 hours. Symptoms for those more sensitive to the venom's effects may also include headache, chest pain, heart tremors, nausea and vomiting. Victims from centipede bites are often gardeners.
Should I kill house centipedes? Known for killing other pests, house centipedes will enter your home because they are on the hunt for other home-invading bugs to feast on. Generally, they will mind their own business and will help to banish roaches, moths, flies, silverfish, and termites around your home.
House centipedes feed on silverfish, firebrats, carpet beetle larvae, cockroaches, spiders, and other small arthropods. If house centipedes are seen frequently, this indicates that some prey arthropod is in abundance, and may signify a greater problem than the presence of the centipedes (Figure 3).
The House Centipede will prefer to live in damp areas such as cellars, closets, bathrooms. They can also be found in attics (during the warmer months) and unexcavated areas under the house. Eggs are laid in these same damp places and behind baseboards or beneath bark on firewood.
Fortunately, the answer to this question is "no." Although all centipedes can inflict painful stings, they usually do not sting people. (Centipedes do not "bite" because instead of jaws, they use a pair of specially modified hollow front legs to pinch prey and deliver venom.)
Things You'll Need
Centipedes can be killed by squishing them. Centipedes can be a problem in many houses around the world. House centipedes are hardy insects and thrive in a moist environment.
Contrary to popular belief, while salt may dehydrate centipedes, it does not deter or kill them.
It's not uncommon to find house centipedes near bathroom or kitchen drains or in the cabinets under the sink. Pouring some vinegar or bleach down the drain will usually keep them out. Use one-half cup of vinegar, wait an hour, then another half cup.
Not only are house centipedes killing the bugs you really don't want in your house, they also don't create any type of nests or webs as well. They are considered active hunters and are constantly looking for their next prey. They aren't eating your wood they aren't carrying a fatal disease.
Use Light. Simply turning on a light may work as a short-term centipede deterrent. Once exposed by bright lights, these pests will scurry back to safe, dark wall cracks or vents. While this won't solve a centipede problem, it may expose the creatures' hiding places or entry points.
Centipedes have a pair of antennae that makes them really sensitive towards smell and will stay away from areas with a strong scent. A few drops of essential oil around the windows, doors or any entryways will do. This will work as invisible barriers to help prevent centipedes or other pests from entering your home.