House Centipedes in NJ: Why They Show Up in Fall, Whether They Bite, and How to Get Rid of Them
Few things make people jump faster than a house centipede racing across the bathroom floor.
They are fast. They have an alarming number of legs. And they seem to appear out of nowhere, especially in basements and bathrooms in the fall.
If you have searched house centipede after one ran across your wall, you are not alone. It is one of the most common pest questions we get in North Jersey this time of year.
Here is the reassuring part: house centipedes are not dangerous to most people, and they are actually eating other pests in your home.
Here is the less reassuring part: if you are seeing them often, your house is probably giving them exactly what they need.
Let's look at why house centipedes show up in fall, whether they bite, and how to get rid of them for good.
What Is a House Centipede?
The house centipede, Scutigera coleoptrata, is the long-legged, fast-moving centipede most people find indoors.
Adults have:
A body roughly 1 to 1.5 inches long
15 pairs of very long legs
Long antennae at the front and long legs at the back that can look like antennae
A yellowish-gray body with darker stripes
Those long legs make them look much larger than they really are, and they let house centipedes move remarkably fast.
House centipedes can live for several years, which is longer than many household insects.
Why Do House Centipedes Show Up in the Fall?
House centipedes can be found indoors any time of year, but many homeowners notice more of them in late summer and fall.
There are two main reasons.
First, cooling weather pushes them indoors. House centipedes that spent the summer outside under mulch, stones, leaf litter and debris start moving toward the shelter of foundations, basements and crawl spaces.
Second, their food follows the same pattern. House centipedes hunt other insects and spiders. As those pests also move indoors for the season, the centipedes come with them.
Once inside, house centipedes favor damp, dark areas such as:
Basements
Crawl spaces
Bathrooms
Laundry rooms
Under sinks
Floor drains
Closets and storage areas
Are House Centipedes Dangerous?
For most people, no.
House centipedes do have venom that they use to subdue prey, but they rarely bite people. Their jaws are small, and a bite usually only happens if one is handled or trapped against skin.
When a bite does happen, it is usually compared to a mild bee sting, with some local pain and swelling. As with any insect bite, a person with allergies or an unusual reaction should seek medical advice.
House centipedes do not:
Damage wood or the structure of your home
Eat stored food
Chew fabrics
Spread diseases to people
So they are primarily a nuisance and a startling sight rather than a health threat.
House Centipedes Are Eating Other Pests
This is the part most people do not expect.
House centipedes are predators. They hunt at night and feed on:
Silverfish
Spiders
Cockroaches
Ants
Bed bug nymphs
Moths and flies
Other small insects
In a way, they are a sign of something else.
If you are seeing house centipedes regularly, there may be a steady supply of other insects in the home. Our guides to silverfish, springtails and spiders indoors cover several of the pests house centipedes commonly hunt.
Do House Centipedes Breed Indoors?
They can.
House centipedes that find a steady supply of moisture and prey can survive and reproduce inside a home, particularly in damp basements and crawl spaces.
That is why moisture control is such an important part of getting rid of them.
How to Get Rid of House Centipedes
Killing the one you see on the wall is easy. Getting them to stop showing up takes a little more.
1. Reduce Moisture
House centipedes need humidity to survive. Dry homes are much less friendly to them.
Run a dehumidifier in damp basements
Fix leaking pipes, faucets and fixtures
Make sure bathroom exhaust fans work and are used
Keep gutters and downspouts directing water away from the foundation
Improve ventilation in crawl spaces
2. Reduce Their Food Supply
Fewer insects means fewer centipedes.
Address silverfish, spiders, roaches and other household insects, and reduce the clutter where those pests hide.
3. Remove Hiding Spots
House centipedes like dark, undisturbed places.
Clear clutter from basements, closets and storage areas
Store items in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes
Keep stored items off the floor and away from walls
Remove piles of laundry, towels and papers in damp areas
4. Clean Up Around the Foundation
Outside, house centipedes hide under stones, leaf litter, mulch, firewood and debris.
Pull mulch back from the foundation, move woodpiles away from the house, and clear leaves and debris before winter.
5. Seal Entry Points
Seal cracks in the foundation, gaps around utility lines and pipes, and spaces under doors. Weather stripping and door sweeps on basement and garage doors help too.
6. Use Sticky Traps to Monitor
Sticky traps placed along walls in basements, bathrooms and utility rooms can catch house centipedes and other crawling insects. They also show where activity is highest.
What About Millipedes in the House?
House centipedes are often confused with millipedes, which also wander indoors in fall.
Millipedes are slower, rounder and have two pairs of legs on most body segments. They feed on decaying plant material, not insects, and they usually die quickly indoors because homes are too dry for them.
Seeing many millipedes indoors usually points to heavy moisture and leaf litter or mulch right against the foundation.
When to Call a Pest Control Professional
A house centipede now and then is not unusual in a New Jersey home.
Consider professional help when:
You are seeing house centipedes regularly
They are appearing in bedrooms and living areas, not just the basement
You are also seeing silverfish, spiders or other insects
Moisture problems are hard to correct on your own
You want a long-term prevention plan
Our residential pest control services treat centipedes and the insects they feed on, and the annual AccuPro Platinum Plan includes centipedes among the 40+ pests it covers.
Frequently Asked Questions About House Centipedes
Do house centipedes bite?
They can, but bites are rare and usually only happen if a centipede is handled. A bite typically feels like a mild bee sting.
Are house centipedes dangerous to pets?
House centipedes are not considered a serious threat to pets. A pet may be bitten if it catches one, but reactions are usually mild.
Why do I keep seeing house centipedes?
Regular sightings usually mean your home has moisture and a supply of insects for them to eat.
Should I kill house centipedes?
That is up to you. They do eat other pests, but most homeowners would rather address the moisture and insects that attract them.
What attracts house centipedes?
Damp, dark areas and a steady supply of insects such as silverfish, spiders and cockroaches.
How long do house centipedes live?
House centipedes can live for several years, which is longer than many household insects.
The Real Fix Is Making Your Home Less Inviting
House centipedes are not out to get you. They are looking for moisture, shelter and food.
Take those away, and they move on.
At Accurate Pest Management, we have helped North Jersey homeowners deal with household pests for more than 30 years. If house centipedes or the insects they hunt are showing up too often, contact us or call 973-398-8798.
