Does the House Centipede Bite Humans? A Comprehensive Guide
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Most live outside, primarily under large rocks, piles of wood or leaves, in barkdust and especially in compost piles. They often emerge from hiding during the watering of gardens or flowerbeds. These centipedes can be found in almost any part of the house, although they are usually encountered in dark or dimly lit areas such as basements and garages. Inside the home, they can be found in bathrooms and lavatories, which tend to be humid, but they can also be found in drier places like offices, bedrooms and dining rooms. They are usually seen crawling along the ground or floor, but they are capable of climbing walls.
Where Do House Centipedes Live?
Dogs nosing around in the dirt may infrequently find themselves pinched by an aggressive centipede. Although there have been occasional reports of dogs going into anaphylactic shock, most recover without incident. Some introduce their toxins through a bite, others use specialized stingers, and centipedes use very sharp front legs.
Prevent & Protect
Most dogs will have some pain and swelling but recover within a few days. In most of the country, the local centipedes are small enough that dogs have nothing to fear. The Pacific giant centipede (Scondoleptra subspinipes) is an invasive species in Hawai’i, which thrives in Hawaii’s warm, moist foliage.
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They are voracious hunters and feed on insects like spiders, ants, silverfish, and cockroaches. By doing so, they assist in controlling the populations of these more problematic pests, which can be a natural form of pest control. Although centipedes may look intimidating with their numerous legs and sharp fangs, they are generally not dangerous to humans.
Millipedes protect themselves by secreting a toxic liquid from glands on the side of their body. The liquid causes a corrosive-like effect on the skin, and people may experience burning and redness in the affected area. Doctors can prescribe topical pain relievers and antibiotics if necessary. A few people have reported euphoric feelings, psychological effects, and memory disturbances following a centipede bite. It has 15 pairs of legs, the last pair nearly twice the length of the body on adult females.
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Beds often have small insects and bed bugs, which are easy for centipedes to consume. It cannot be denied that centipedes do bite when agitated or in danger; however, in most cases, people do not even feel any pain from being bitten by a house centipede. A house centipede’s attack will kill a bedbug, spider, or roach within seconds. A giant Vietnamese centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes) can dispatch a mouse in under a minute.
Clean up damp areas
House centipedes (Scutigera coleoptrata) are distinguished from other centipedes by their longer legs. The longer legs affect the way the common insect moves, creating a sort of "rolling" motion that makes it looks like they have many more legs than they do. In my experience, bites from these creatures are exceedingly rare. House centipedes are naturally timid and, thanks to their small jaws, have difficulty penetrating human skin.
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These arthropods are believed to have originated in the Mediterranean, but they’ve now made homes in various parts of the United States. While they thrive in warm, tropical, and humid climates, house centipedes are remarkably adaptable and can survive in a wide range of environments. House centipedes are mysterious, speedy creatures that can give anyone a startle when encountered in their homes. As an ex-professional pest control technician and DIY pest control expert, I understand the unease these arthropods can bring. The house centipede is a venomous insect that uses its toxins for both self-defense and hunting. If another animal (such as your dog or cat) were to eat the centipede, they wouldn’t experience any issues beyond the sting.
Symptoms of a House Centipede Bite
They can also discuss prevention with you to keep the insects from getting back inside your home and to make sure the centipedes will not want to go in your home again. The reason house centipedes are in your home is that they’re looking for food, which happens to be other insects you don’t want inside your home. While a centipede running across the floor at night can be shocking to see, they are actually beneficial to have in your home if you have other pests. They’re working on killing the other pests in your home, even if you hadn’t realized they were there. Once you do this, the house centipedes will move out and will go somewhere else to find their food.
These legs continue to twitch, distracting and confusing potential predators while the centipede makes its escape. House centipedes can bite, but their tiny jaws make it extremely difficult for them to bite through clothing. The thickness and material of the fabric also play a part in their capacity to pierce it. Some people may need a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, or an anti-inflammatory, such as ibuprofen.
Installing mesh covers on vents can also help deter their entry. Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to centipede bites. Fortunately, there are practical measures you can take to minimize the chances of encountering these creatures in your home and getting bitten.
However, serious bite effects are more likely to be the result of secondary infection than the bite itself. Symptoms of a giant desert centipede bite include intense pain, inflammation, redness, and swelling. The most common centipede found in the eastern part of the United States is the house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata), which is the only species of centipede known to reproduce in homes. To avoid bites while outdoors, be careful when reaching into woodpiles or under stones.
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