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Spiders & Crawlers · Pest guide

Centipedes control

Fast house centipedes are a sign of damp and of other insects to eat.

When to call a pro

Centipedes at a glance

Scientific name
Scutigera coleoptrata (house centipede)
Size
1 to 1.5 inches body (25–38 mm)
Appearance
Up to 15 pairs of long legs; very fast; yellowish with dark stripes
Where found
Basements, bathrooms, closets, crawl spaces
  • Health riskLow
  • Property damageLow
  • Do it yourself?Usually DIY
When centipedes are active Peak: May–Aug
  1. Jan Low
  2. Feb Low
  3. Mar Active
  4. Apr Active
  5. May Peak
  6. Jun Peak
  7. Jul Peak
  8. Aug Peak
  9. Sep Active (this month)
  10. Oct Active
  11. Nov Low
  12. Dec Low

Low Active Peak This month

Signs to look for

  • Centipedes running across floors at night
  • Sightings in damp rooms and drains

Call a professional when

  • Large numbers that point to a hidden moisture or insect problem
How to choose a pest control company

Quick prevention

  • Dehumidify basements and fix leaks
  • Seal cracks in foundation and around pipes
  • Reduce the insects they feed on

Our centipedes guides are being researched. Meanwhile, the profile above covers the signs, the risks and when to call a professional.

Keep centipedes out

  1. Dehumidify basements and fix leaks
  2. Seal cracks in foundation and around pipes
  3. Reduce the insects they feed on

Often confused or found together

All spiders & crawlers
Millipedes Harmless but alarming when hundreds migrate indoors after rain. Silverfish Moisture-loving insects that eat paper, glue and starch. Spiders Mostly harmless and useful, but brown recluses and black widows need care.
Photo credits

Thank you to Syrio and Ryan Hodnett for sharing these beautiful photographs and helping bring this guide to life.

Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0