If you’ve ever spotted a house centipede crawling across your wall or lurking in the corner of your basement, chances are your first instinct was to squash it on sight. With their long, spindly legs and quick, jerky movements, these creepy crawlers aren’t exactly easy on the eyes. In fact, most people would describe them as downright unsettling. But before you grab a shoe or a paper towel, you might want to take a step back and think twice. As unpleasant as house centipedes might look, they’re actually one of the most helpful insects you could have in your home. Instead of killing them, it might be a good idea to let them be—or even carefully escort them outside. Why? Because these critters do a whole lot of good behind the scenes.
The main reason you shouldn’t kill a house centipede is because they’re nature’s pest control experts. Unlike other bugs that might infest your home and cause problems, centipedes are predators. They feed on a variety of unwanted pests that you definitely don’t want hanging around. We’re talking ants, spiders, bed bugs, cockroaches, silverfish, termites, and pretty much any other small arthropod you can think of. If it’s creepy, crawly, and a nuisance, chances are a house centipede will be more than happy to hunt it down and eat it. And the best part? They do all of this without being dangerous to humans. House centipedes aren’t venomous to people or pets, and they don’t carry diseases. So having one (or even a few) living quietly in your home isn’t putting you at any risk.
Now, that doesn’t mean you need to start welcoming them with open arms or letting them take over your living room. Most people don’t want to see bugs skittering around, no matter how helpful they might be. If you find a house centipede and just can’t bear the thought of it being inside, the kindest thing you can do is capture it in a jar and release it outdoors. Choose a damp, shaded area—like under a bush or near some rocks—since they prefer moist environments where they can continue their bug-hunting duties.
House centipedes usually stick to dark, damp, and quiet places where they’re less likely to be disturbed. That’s why you often see them in basements, bathrooms, closets, and other areas that tend to be more humid and secluded. They’re fast and agile, which makes them excellent hunters but also a little startling if you happen to surprise one. According to entomologists at Penn State University, house centipedes are believed to have originated in the Mediterranean region but have since spread throughout much of the world. And they have no problem sneaking into homes through small cracks and gaps.
You might also find them under concrete slabs, slipping in through expansion cracks, or even hiding inside cement block walls if there are any missing sections. They can also show up near floor drains that don’t have water traps, and they like to hang out under cardboard boxes that are stored on slabs—pretty much anywhere that’s damp, dark, and undisturbed is prime real estate for them.
If you’re seeing more centipedes than you’d like inside your home, there are a few things you can do to make your space less inviting without harming them. Start by reducing moisture in problem areas like basements and bathrooms. Use a dehumidifier, fix any leaks, and make sure there’s good ventilation. You can also set out sticky traps to keep track of how many centipedes you have and get a better idea of whether they’re there because of a bigger pest issue. Another good practice is to keep piles of leaves, firewood, compost, and other organic material away from the foundation of your house. These piles attract insects, which in turn attract centipedes. And don’t forget to seal any cracks around windows, doors, and your home’s foundation to limit their entry points.
Ultimately, house centipedes are more friend than foe. They don’t cause structural damage, they don’t infest food, and they keep more harmful pests in check. If you can overcome their creepy appearance, they really are a valuable ally in your home. And if you prefer not to have them indoors, gently relocating them is always an option. So the next time you see a house centipede darting across your basement floor, resist the urge to kill it. Let it do its job, and you might find you’re dealing with fewer unwanted bugs overall.
