Where do house centipedes originate?

-- The house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) originated in southern Europe and the Mediterranean. Introduced to the United States and Mexico a few hundred years ago, it has spread throughout most of North America since its arrival.
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Where do the centipedes in my house come from?

Centipedes feed on home-invading species like cockroaches and spiders, so an abundance of prey often lures these pests into homes. Residents may find centipedes in cement block walls, boxes, clutter on the floor, or floor drains. The warmth and safety of a heated home may also attract centipedes inside to reproduce.
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Where do centipede bugs come from?

Centipedes are found all over the world and can thrive in a variety of habitats, from tropical rainforests to arid deserts. One centipede species is even amphibious and can hunt and hide in both dry and aquatic environments. Most of the time, however, centipedes favor damp habitats.
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Do house centipedes mean your house is dirty?

The short answer is no, house centipedes are not pests. House centipedes do frighten some homeowners, which is understandable. They are extremely fast bugs that only come out at night, in theory, they sound very bad. However, the house centipede is the opposite of pests.
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What state do house centipedes live in?

Today, the house centipede can be found in many buildings throughout the United States. It does not survive winters outdoors in Pennsylvania, but readily reproduces in heated structures. Because of their secretive nature, scary appearance and darting motions, homeowners typically fear the house centipede.
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The House Centipede is Fast, Furious, and Just So Extra | Deep Look



Will house centipedes crawl in your bed?

These creepy crawlers love any areas that are warm and damp, which is why some people may run into them in their basement. However, they're beginning to make an arrival in people's apartments, and even their beds! As appalling as that may be, these little pests are fans of getting into bed with you.
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Should I let house centipedes live?

House centipedes won't harm people or homes.

Unlike moths, they won't destroy clothing or furniture, and unlike ants, they won't wreak havoc in your pantry.
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Does killing a centipede attract more?

Centipedes included. Most carnivorous insects don't mind eating dead insects, some even consume their own dead species. After you have killed a centipede, make sure you properly dispose of it so the dead body won't attract others.
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How long does a house centipede live?

The common house centipede can live for more than a year, while other species have been know to live for as long as 5-6 years. This lifespan is considered long among arthropods. Check out the Centipede Pest Guide to find some more centipede facts and learn about centipede prevention.
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Should I be worried if I see a centipede?

Generally speaking, centipedes are not harmful to human health. They feed off far nastier bugs such as termites and cockroaches. In a sense, they are the “good guys”. Of course, centipedes are not a natural solution for maintaining pests.
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How do I get rid of house centipedes?

To get rid of centipedes in your home, thoroughly clean damp areas of your house, like the basement, bathroom, or attic and remove their hiding places. You can kill centipedes you find with Ortho® Home Defense Max® Indoor Insect Barrier with Extended Reach Comfort Wand®.
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Does one house centipede mean more?

How To Identify Centipedes. Centipedes are nocturnal, meaning they're most active at night. Because of this, you probably won't see many of them during the day. However, if you see one centipede, there's a good chance there are more nearby.
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How do I keep centipedes out of my house?

Tea tree oil or Peppermint oil are overwhelming to centipedes. Add 25 drops of either essential oil into a spray bottle with 6 ounces of water. Spray around door frames, windows, small cracks and basement doors. Repeat once a week to keep centipedes away.
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Where do house centipedes hide?

Centipedes may enter houses and buildings, but they do not roam during daytime. Centipedes are fast moving, agile, nocturnal animals. They hide in damp areas around bathrooms, closets, basements and other sites typically infested by pests.
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How do you know if you have a centipede infestation?

Bites at Night

Since these nocturnal creatures are tiny, it is not easy to notice them in their hiding. But if you feel some tiny and uncatchable creatures biting or walking on your body at night, this is a sign you have house centipede infestations. Though they are poisonous, they don't bite human skin.
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What does it mean when you see a centipede?

The centipede is the subject of many superstitions. Depending on the culture and region, seeing a centipede may be either a good or bad omen. For Korean people, a centipede encounter may be a sign of good luck and wealth. A centipede's appearance in one's house may signify prosperity and wealth on the horizon.
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Where do centipedes lay their eggs?

Centipedes lay their eggs in the hollows of rotting logs or in the soil. Most females will tend to their eggs and hatchlings, curling their bodies around their brood for protection. In addition, eggs are prone to the growth of fungi and require grooming to ensure that they reach adulthood.
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What eats a house centipede?

House centipedes are sometimes eaten by larger arthropod predators, such as wolf spiders and other centipedes, and also by insectivorous mammals, such as the short-tailed shrew.
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How often do house centipedes lay eggs?

House centipedes lay their eggs in the spring. The average centipede lays around 63 eggs and a maximum of around 151 eggs. They have as few as four pairs of legs when they are hatched. With each molting, they gain a new pair.
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Is a silverfish a centipede?

Though silverfish and house centipedes may occupy some of the same areas indoors, there are quite a few differences between the two. For one, the silverfish is an insect unlike the centipede, and has the traditional six legs.
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Can you flush a centipede down the toilet?

It's not just centipedes, the same is true for many other bugs. Now, most bugs are attracted to the moist conditions in your drain but if they fall through, fall down, they can't always get back up. And yes, they can drown. But - simply flushing the centipede down the drain won't really solve your problem.
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Do house centipedes mean you have roaches?

So what's in your home that could be attracting house centipedes? The most common insects they find in Mount Washington homes include cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, and carpet beetles. So, if you see a centipede crawling around your house, it means you have other unwanted guests scurrying around.
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Do centipedes go in your ear?

Arthropods may become lodged inside the ear and cause considerable emotional and physical trauma. Cases of centipedes being lodged in the external auditory canal have rarely been reported. In this article, we present the case of woman who had a centipede lodged inside her right external auditory canal.
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Are house centipedes scared of people?

Thankfully, house centipedes are frankly too afraid of humans and do not actively seek them out as any sort of prey. So don't panic; you and your family have nothing to worry about. However, larger species of house centipedes can bite if they feel threatened, especially when roughly handled.
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Are house centipedes intelligent?

They are also very smart hunters. House centipedes are more than willing to go after prey that could actually be dangerous to them, such as wasps.
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