Arthropod · Low risk
House Centipede
The house centipede is that long-legged arthropod that darts across basement walls. Startling, but harmless: it hunts spiders, silverfish and other insects. Its presence often points to a damp basement with plenty of prey.
2.5-5 cm · Striped beige, very long legs
§1Distinctive features
How to identify it
Flattened body, beige to greyish yellow, marked with three dark stripes along its length. The adult has 15 pairs of very long, striped legs and two long, thin antennae. The house centipede races along walls, then stops dead.
§2Habitat
Where to find it
Basements, crawl spaces, bathrooms, damp closets and around floor drains: anywhere dark and humid. By day it hides under cardboard boxes or behind the washer, and at night it hunts along the walls.
§3Reproduction
Lifecycle
The female lays her eggs one by one, on the ground, in a damp corner. The young are born with only 4 pairs of legs and gain more at each molt.
§4What to look out for
Signs of presence
- Fast dashes across the walls as soon as the lights come on
- Specimens caught in basement sticky traps
- Presence of spiders, silverfish or woodlice, its prey
- High humidity in the basement
§5Real risks
Risks
- Rare bite, comparable to a bee sting, that fades within a few hours (take care if you are allergic to insect stings)
- No disease transmitted and no damage to structures or food
- Its presence betrays a moisture problem and other pest insects
§6Prevention
How to avoid it
- Keep relative humidity between 30 and 50 %, with a dehumidifier in the basement if needed
- Seal foundation cracks, gaps around pipes and drains
- Remove cardboard, wood and offcuts stored directly on the floor
- Eliminate its prey: silverfish, spiders, woodlice
§7Pro method
How MW works
Inspection
Locating damp hotspots and hiding places.
Preparation
Removal of hiding spots and drying of damp areas.
Treatment
Targeted application to cracks, baseboards and perimeter.
Follow-up
Checking the decline and prevention advice.
§8Your questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Is the house centipede dangerous?
No. It can bite if you grab it bare-handed, but the bite feels like a bee sting, fades within a few hours and transmits no disease.
Why do I have centipedes in my basement?
Because it finds moisture and prey there. A damp basement with spiders and silverfish is an ideal pantry.
Should I call an exterminator for a house centipede?
A centipede now and then is no big deal: a quick pass with the vacuum is enough. If you see them often, it means there are plenty of insects to eat and usually too much moisture. That is when you need to act, and our pest control service can take care of the insects that attract it.
The house centipede destroys nothing and transmits no disease: what we treat is the moisture and the insects it feeds on. Our team assesses the source on site, in Granby, in Sherbrooke, in Magog and in Farnham.
Sources used for this fact sheet: Espace pour la vie, house centipede · Health Canada, centipedes, millipedes and sowbugs · Health Canada, moisture and mould · Penn State Extension, House Centipedes.
Photo: eleonimages, Canva.
React quickly, sleep well.
Less moisture and fewer prey means fewer centipedes in the basement.