What Are Centipedes?

Centipedes are arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda of the subphylum Myriapoda and class Chilopoda. Many know centipedes as 100-legged bugs. However, centipede can have as few as 30 legs and as many as 354 legs. In fact, all centipedes have one pair of legs per segment and an odd number of segments only — so no centipede has 100 legs exactly.

Centipedes are venomous, and often inject paralyzing venom to subdue their prey. Centipedes will bite humans if prompted, though their venom is unlikely to cause anything more than acute pain. Centipede bites are much more dangerous to those with allergies. Bites from smaller centipedes are not considered a risk, as these centipede species are incapable of piercing human skin.

Centipedes have elongated, flat, and segmented bodies that contain a pair of legs per segment. Their heads have large antennae. They occur in several different colors based on the species but are typically brown or reddish-orange. Centipedes can range in length from 4 to 152 millimeters, depending on the species. Centipedes are found in all areas of the world except Antarctica. In North America, the most common centipede species include the bark centipede (Scolopocryptops sexspinosus), the cryptopid centipede (Theatops californiensis), and the house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata).

What Causes Centipede Infestations?

Centipedes prefer to live in dark, damp environments. Indoors, homes and business with moisture problems can attract these bugs. Centipedes are also predatory, so they will go anywhere where there are smaller insects to eat. To keep centipedes off your property, it’s important to reduce humidity in your indoor space and block off any holes or cracks in your roof, walls, or foundation. Cleaning to reduce the amount of other insects (centipede food) and clutter (centipede shelter) will also reduce the chances of a centipede infestation in your space.