Centipedes in Hawaii: A Complete Guide

Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches lush rainforests, and idyllic weather. But if there’s one creature that can spoil paradise it’s the Hawaiian centipede. These multi-legged arthropods are found throughout the islands and are known for their painful and venomous bites.

In this complete guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about centipedes in Hawaii including

• The most common species
• Where they live and what they eat
• If they’re dangerous and how to avoid getting bitten
• How to keep them out of your home
• And more

The Most Common Centipede Species in Hawaii

There are around 25 different species of centipedes in Hawaii, but only a few are commonly encountered. The three main ones are

1. Hawaiian Centipede

The Hawaiian centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes) is the largest centipede species in Hawaii, growing up to 8 inches long. It has an orange-brown body with yellow legs and can be identified by its 21 or 23 pairs of legs.

This centipede’s venom can cause severe pain and swelling in humans, although deaths are very rare. It’s sometimes called the Vietnamese centipede due to its origins in Southeast Asia.

2. Red-Headed Centipede

The red-headed centipede (Scolopendra morsitans) gets its name from its bright red head and brownish body with yellow legs. It’s smaller than the Hawaiian centipede, growing up to 5.5 inches long.

This species isn’t dangerous to humans – its venom is mild and mainly used to catch small prey like insects and spiders.

3. Garden Centipede

The garden centipede (Lithobius sp.) is tiny in comparison, reaching only 0.5-1 inch long. It has a flattened brown body with 15 pairs of legs.

As one of the smallest centipede species, its bite is harmless to people. These centipedes are often found in leaf litter and soil.

Where Do Centipedes Live in Hawaii?

Centipedes prefer warm, dark, and damp environments. Here are some of their favorite hangouts in Hawaii:

• Under logs, rocks, leaves, and debris: Centipedes like hiding under objects resting on the ground, which provide shelter. Always check before picking anything up!

• Leaf litter: The fallen leaves in forests and jungles provide cover and humidity. Shake out your shoes after hiking!

• Soil and mulch: Garden centipedes like burrowing in moist soil and mulch beds. Be careful when gardening and wear gloves.

• Rotting wood: The decaying wood from fallen trees and branches is an ideal nesting spot.

• Inside homes: Centipedes sometimes sneak inside, especially during wet weather, seeking food and shelter. Keep an eye out in bathrooms, basements, attics, and crawl spaces.

What Do Centipedes Eat in Hawaii?

Centipedes are carnivores that use venom and pincer-like claws near their mouths to catch prey. Hawaiian centipedes feed on:

• Small insects like crickets, beetles, cockroaches, and spiders
• Earthworms and small snails
• Lizards and frogs
• Rodents and bats
• Centipede eggs and young

They paralyze their prey with venom before consuming them whole. Hungry centipedes may also bite humans in defense, if threatened or cornered.

Are Hawaiian Centipedes Dangerous?

Of Hawaii’s centipede species, only the Hawaiian centipede poses a significant risk to humans. Its venom can cause extreme pain, swelling, and other reactions, although death is very unlikely.

People respond differently based on factors like age, health, and bite location on the body. Bites near the head, neck, or chest can be more dangerous.

Children, elderly people, those with allergies, and people bitten multiple times are at higher risk for severe effects. Seek medical attention if you experience alarming symptoms like chest pain, nausea, vomiting, or difficulty breathing.

While not considered deadly, the Hawaiian centipede’s bite should always be avoided and treated with care due to the intense pain. The other smaller species are not dangerous, but can pinch if handled roughly.

How to Avoid Centipede Bites in Hawaii

Here are some tips to steer clear of centipedes during your Hawaiian vacation or if you live there:

• Check shoes, clothing, towels, and bedding before use, especially if left outside. Centipedes may crawl inside.

• Wear covered shoes on trails and avoid walking barefoot. Step carefully through leaf litter.

• Inspect logs and firewood before moving them. Knock them against the ground first.

• Keep your home dry and seal cracks in walls/doors to deter centipedes entering.

• Clear excess debris from your yard and install outdoor lighting which deters centipedes.

• When hiking, avoid reaching into dark holes in rocks and trees where centipedes nest.

• If you spot a centipede, leave it alone and let it pass. Don’t touch or provoke the centipede.

What to Do If You Get Bit by a Centipede

If you have the misfortune of getting bitten by a Hawaiian centipede, here’s how to treat it:

• Wash the bite area with soap and water to reduce risk of infection.

• Apply ice packs to relieve swelling and pain. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can also help.

• Keep the bitten limb elevated to slow venom spread. Immobilize the area.

• See a doctor if pain persists for more than a few hours or any alarming symptoms develop.

• Monitor for signs of allergic reaction like excessive swelling, headache, vomiting, or trouble breathing.

• Avoid home remedies like tourniquets or sucking out venom, which can make things worse.

• Be sure to capture or take a photo of the centipede if possible for identification in case symptoms persist.

How to Keep Centipedes Out of Your Home

To deter centipedes from invading your Hawaiian home, try these tactics:

• Install door sweeps, weatherstripping, and screens to seal entry points. Caulk cracks in the walls too.

• Remove piles of debris, leaves, wood, and rocks around the exterior of your home.

• Keep your home dry through ventilation, dehumidifiers, and fixing leaks. Centipedes hate dryness.

• Trim plants and bushes from touching the house.

• Divert water runoff away from the house foundation using gutters and downspouts.

• Apply pesticides inside (boric acid) and outside (bifenthrin) which deter centipedes.

• Fix leaky pipes and clean up mold, which provides moisture centipedes need.

• Set sticky traps near potential entry points like doors, vents, and appliance. These catch invading centipedes.

The Hawaiian centipede can be an unwelcome visitor during your island vacation. Although its sting is excruciating, proper precautions can help you avoid getting bitten. Be vigilant of where you step, place your hands, and keep centipedes out of your living space. Stay well away from these many-legged crawlers, and your Hawaiian trip will remain blissfully pest-free. So you can lay back, listen to the ukulele music, and enjoy paradise.