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House centipedes also thrive outdoors and live under logs, rocks, and fallen tree bark. Newly hatched larvae, which are rarely seen, have four pairs of legs. The larvae undergo six molts and gain new pairs of legs after every molt. For example, centipedes will have 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 pairs of legs respectively after each molting stage, while after the final molt, they have 15 pairs of legs.
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These are not part of their mandibles, so strictly speaking they sting rather than bite. Despite their developed eyes, they seem to rely mostly on their antennae when hunting. Their antennae are sensitive to both smells and tactile information.
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How to Identify Centipedes Centipede Facts
Additionally, keeping your outdoor spaces free from debris and clutter goes a long way in dissuading house centipedes from seeking refuge near your home. Forcipules are located just behind the centipede’s head and function as venomous appendages used to capture and immobilize prey. Understanding where house centipedes prefer to settle is crucial in managing them.
Venomous Bites
They prefer warmer places that are wet and humid, as this keeps them closer to their food sources. If you have house centipedes, it typically means you have food for the centipedes in your home. They feed on many different insects, like bed bugs, roaches, silverfish, and wasps. However, they are so small that the bite is not likely to break through a person’s skin. House centipedes typically do not try to bite humans because they don’t see humans as a food source.
Where Do People Get Centipede Bites?
The legs are banded light and dark, and the body is a dirty yellow with three longitudinal, dark stripes. Typical symptoms from a house centipede bite are slight pain and swelling as their weak jaws rarely allow them to break skin. Unless the person is experiencing a severe allergic reaction, they will not require treatment for a centipede bite. Anti-itch and pain-relieving medications can help soothe a person’s symptoms.
How to Repel and Control Centipede Infestations
Most bites occur because the person was handling the centipede. As long as you don’t touch it, the centipede is not likely to attack you or try to bite you. If someone is experiencing anaphylactic shock, epinephrine auto-injectors, such as an EpiPen, can reduce the symptoms and prevent death. As centipede bites are uncommon, though, a person may not know that they are allergic to centipede venom until they receive a bite. As a result, they may not have an epinephrine auto-injector available. People may feel anxious when a centipede bites them, due to both the pain of the bite and the appearance of the multi-legged creature.
Risks Associated With Infection
Here are the most common types of centipedes you’ll find in your house. The house centipede is light yellow-brown in color, with three dark longitudinal stripes down its body. Its legs are marked with alternating bands of light and dark. House centipedes also have large compound eyes, which is unusual for centipedes.
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Similar to silverfish, preventing the presence of house centipedes begins with lowering the level of humidity in your home. Though many people use humidifiers in winter for health reasons, this should not conflict too much with prevention measures, as house centipedes are not generally as active in the winter. Using a dehumidifier in warmer months may make a difference in the number of house centipedes in your home. It is especially important to repair plumbing leaks and keep basement and attic spaces dry. Unlike the moths that eat wool and grain, termites that infest wood, and silverfish that destroy clothing fibers, glue, and paper, there is no real damage caused by house centipedes. So there are worse bugs to have in your home, even if they do tend to startle people when they zoom across the floor.
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They are somewhat aggressive and will readily bite a perceived threat. Some people may need a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, or an anti-inflammatory, such as ibuprofen. Cortisone cream and antihistamines can also reduce symptoms of allergies.
A bite from a house centipede is generally not a cause for major concern. Following the steps outlined above can help manage any discomfort and minimize the risk of infection. Remember that prevention is key, so taking measures to reduce the presence of house centipedes in your home can significantly lower the chances of getting bitten in the first place. If you have any doubts about your symptoms or concerns about the bite, don't hesitate to consult a medical professional for advice. Centipedes are sometimes called house centipedes or "hundred-leggers" because of their many pairs of legs.
If a predator does manage to grab a leg, the house centipede can shed the limb and flee. Strangely, the house centipede's detached leg will continue to move for several minutes after its owner has left the scene. House centipedes continue to molt as adults and will regenerate lost limbs when they do. Depending on the size and species, some centipedes may hunt small animals like lizards, snakes, birds, and frogs.
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