Of the number of invaders that can take up residence in your home, the centipede may be one of the oddest in appearance. These creepy, yet fierce predators, tend to give people the chills when spotted. They may be mistaken for insects, but these flattened, multiple-legged, worm-like creatures are arthropods with a hard exoskeleton and a segmented body and are more related to a crawfish than a spider. Don’t be fooled; there are no true 100-legged centipedes. These creatures can have anywhere from 30 legs to over 300, depending on their number of body segments. In fact, centipedes are known to have an odd pairing of legs. While centipedes are mainly mild-mannered creatures, they are venomous.
About Centipedes
Unlike other types of centipedes, the House Centipede lives exclusively indoors and is found throughout the United States. This pest species is known as Scutigera coleoptrata and is typically one and half inches long, with 15 pairs of legs and a body that is grayish-yellow with three longitudinal dark stripes. They are a nuisance in any home and can bite occupants with their clawed legs.
Stealthy by nature, centipedes prefer to hunt and move about during the night, or in dark, moist places where there is minimal sunlight. You may find centipedes under fallen trees, boards, and rocks and in leaf litter and soil. The House Centipede likes dark, damp spaces, such as basements, floor drains, crawl spaces, and under bathroom cabinets. Centipedes craftily enter homes through cracks and vents and under doors, and any opening that they can squeeze their narrow bodies through.
Centipedes are generally not harmful to humans if injected with their toxins but you may experience a localized reaction characterized by mild pain and swelling around the bite area. However, things can get dicey for individuals with other insect allergies. They can develop severe swelling, chills, fever, and weakness. While House Centipedes are not aggressive toward humans and are likely to run away when disturbed, they can deliver a sharp nip if picked up or accidentally stepped on while barefoot.
Centipedes are impressive hunters. They can travel roughly 1.3 feet-per-second and move quickly to pounce on its prey and inject it with venom. They then use their remaining legs to wrap the prey up and carry it off. Some have the ability to hold multiple victims. This hunting technique is known as "lassoing." When Centipedes are the prey, they are able to release segments of their body to escape.
Help Is Here
The skilled professionals here at Your Pest Control can rid your space of those creepy uninvited pests. We provide high-quality services and are dedicated to helping our customers. Accelerating your protection from the unwanted nuisance that has invaded your property is our priority. With the best customer service in the area, we guarantee that your concerns will be acknowledged, and questions will be answered. Contact us today for an estimate.
Frequently Asked Centipede Question
Q1. What is the significance of the venom of centipedes?
A1. Centipedes possess venom glands that are primarily used for subduing prey. Interestingly, the composition of centipede venom varies across species and can contain a cocktail of toxins, including enzymes, peptides, and proteins. Some components of centipede venom have shown potential in biomedical research for their antimicrobial and analgesic properties. Additionally, certain cultures have historically utilized centipede venom in traditional medicine for treating ailments ranging from headaches to arthritis.
Q2. How do centipedes reproduce, and what are some unique reproductive behaviors?
A2. Centipedes exhibit diverse reproductive strategies, with some species engaging in elaborate courtship rituals and others practicing unusual forms of parental care. In some cases, male centipedes perform intricate courtship dances or deposit spermatophores for females to retrieve. Certain species, such as the giant desert centipede (Scolopendra heros), demonstrate maternal care by guarding their eggs until hatching and even protecting the offspring for a short period after birth. This level of parental investment is uncommon among arthropods and provides insight into the complex reproductive behaviors of centipedes.
Q3. How do centipedes navigate their environments, and what sensory adaptations do they possess?
A3. Centipedes rely on a variety of sensory adaptations to navigate their surroundings and locate prey. While they lack eyes in the traditional sense, many species possess specialized sensory organs known as ocelli, which can detect changes in light and shadow. Additionally, centipedes have highly sensitive antennae that help them detect vibrations in the air and ground, allowing them to locate potential prey or avoid predators. Some species also exhibit chemosensory abilities, using their antennae to detect chemical cues in their environment, aiding in finding food sources or potential mates. These sensory adaptations contribute to the remarkable ability of centipedes to thrive in diverse habitats around the world.