Why You Should Never Kill a House Centipede if You Find One Inside Your House
Have you ever seen a house centipede crawling around your home and wondered what to do about it? While these creepy-crawly creatures may make your skin crawl, killing them is not the best solution. In fact, house centipedes are actually beneficial to have around, as they provide a natural form of pest control.
What is a House Centipede?
A house centipede is a type of arthropod that can be found all over the world. These small, fast-moving creatures have long, slender bodies and multiple pairs of legs. They are usually brown or gray in color, with distinctive stripes or bands along their bodies. House centipedes are nocturnal and prefer to hide in dark, damp places during the day.
Why You Shouldn’t Kill House Centipedes
House centipedes are not harmful to humans, and they are actually quite beneficial to have around. Here are some reasons why you should never kill a house centipede if you find one inside your home:
1. They Help Control Other Pests
House centipedes are natural predators, and they feed on a variety of other pests that can infest your home. This includes insects like spiders, ants, and cockroaches, as well as other arthropods like silverfish and termites. By allowing house centipedes to live in your home, you are creating a natural form of pest control that can help keep your home free of other unwanted creatures.
2. They Don’t Bite Humans
While house centipedes may look intimidating, they are not harmful to humans. They do have venomous fangs, but their venom is not strong enough to cause any harm to people. House centipedes are actually quite shy and will usually run away from humans rather than try to bite or attack them.
3. They Are Not a Sign of Poor Hygiene
Some people believe that finding a house centipede in their home is a sign of poor hygiene or a dirty living environment. However, this is not true. House centipedes can be found in clean, well-maintained homes just as easily as they can be found in dirty or cluttered ones. They are simply attracted to dark, damp places where they can find other pests to eat.
How to Deal with House Centipedes
If you find a house centipede in your home, the best thing to do is simply leave it alone. Remember, house centipedes are harmless to humans and can actually be beneficial to have around. If you are uncomfortable with having them in your home, you can try the following methods to keep them at bay:
1. Keep Your Home Clean and Dry
House centipedes are attracted to dark, damp places, so keeping your home clean and dry can help discourage them from taking up residence. Make sure to keep your floors, walls, and ceilings free of dust and cobwebs, and fix any leaky pipes or faucets to prevent moisture buildup.
2. Seal Up Cracks and Holes
House centipedes can enter your home through small cracks and holes in the walls or foundation. To prevent them from getting in, make sure to seal up any openings with caulk or weatherstripping.
3. Use Sticky Traps
If you are still seeing house centipedes in your home, you can try using sticky traps to catch them. These traps are non-toxic and can be placed in areas where you have seen centipedes before.