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Parasites > House centipede
Parasites > House centipede

What does it look like?

The house centipede can be 3 cm long. Its body is light beige to grey with three darker band on its back. The house centipede has two long antennae and 15 pairs of legs; legs are progressively longer front to back.

Its large composed eyes and great speed make it a fearsome predator. The house centipede hunts spiders, carpenter ants, cockroaches, etc. The house centipede captures its prey with its hooks and injects venom to paralyze it and then feeds on it.

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Does the House Centipede represent a risk for me or my belongings?

The house centipede feeds on insects and does not damage belongings. It is not attracted to our food and will not hide in the pantry.

The house centipede does not crawl in beds, it runs away from danger and avoids us. The house centipede can bite if it is disturbed such as if someone tries to capture it. The bite is painful like a bee sting but it is not dangerous. The house centipede can also expel a stinky odour.

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Why do I have House Centipedes?

The house centipede was brought to America mainly by boats, containers from Europe. It has a world wide distribution. The house centipede looks for humid and heated spots. In houses, we find it around the bathroom, basement, heating system, sump pump, etc. It can crawl between walls, around water pipes and electric wires.

Once brought accidently in a house (ex: eggs or adults hidden in a box), it can reproduce itself. Its multiplication in the house means there are numerous large preys available (ex: spiders, carpenter ants, silver fish, etc). An infested house can have over 200 individuals.

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What to do if I have House Centipedes?

Glue traps can be used but give limited results when used without any other method. House centipede can escape from the glue trap and lost legs will eventually regrow. Call our biologist, there is a specific control method for house centipede. SOS Bugs can control the infestation for you.

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