If youâre someone who canât stand the sight of worms or cockroaches, or if you have arachnophobia, chances are you wonât appreciate having house centipedes around you, either. House centipedes are common household insects known for their many legs that help them scurry past you in the blink of an eye. Although house centipedes donât pose a threat to humans and donât typically harm infrastructure, seeing them in your home can be alarming.
Read on to learn more about where house centipedes come from, what they look like, and what they eat, as well as what you can do to prevent a house centipede infestation and how to get rid of them.
Bugs with lots of legs can look creepy or even scary to some people, But these multi-legged insects play important roles in many ecosystems, Learning more about them can help overcome any phobias while better appreciating the diversity of insect life,
This guide will provide an overview of some of the most common bugs with lots of legs. It will cover identification, habitats, fun facts, and more. Read on to get the lowdown on millipedes, centipedes, silverfish, and other insects with dozens of legs!
Millipedes – The True “Thousand Leggers”
Millipedes are likely the first bugs that come to mind when thinking of insects with lots of legs There are over 10,000 millipede species worldwide, most of which have between 30 and 400 legs Their name even comes from Latin words meaning “thousand feet.”
The Illacme plenipes millipede holds the record for most legs, with up to 750. Females tend to have more legs than males in a given species. All those legs allow millipedes to move relatively quickly for their size.
Millipedes prefer moist habitats and can often be found in rotting logs, under rocks or mulch and in leaf litter. Most are slow moving and feed on decaying plant matter and fungi. They are harmless to humans.
Fun fact: millipedes have two pairs of legs per body segment, unlike centipedes which have just one pair per segment.
Centipedes – Swift Hunters
Centipedes have anywhere from 30 to 354 legs, always arranged in odd numbers of pairs. Their slender bodies are divided into segments, each with a single pair of legs attached.
There are around 3,000 centipede species. They are carnivorous and use their legs to swiftly chase down worms, insects, spiders and other small prey. Some larger tropical centipedes can even kill mice and small reptiles!
Centipedes are found worldwide in moist microhabitats like rotting wood, loose bark, soil, leaf litter, and under stones. The common house centipede is the most frequent home invader. They are generally harmless but some larger species can inflict painful bites.
Fun fact: centipede legs extrude from their bodies alternately in left/right pairs, which helps propel them rapidly across surfaces.
Silverfish – Nocturnal Scavengers
Silverfish typically have between 12 and 24 legs. They also have two long antennae and two rear filaments that help them sense their surroundings. Their silvery sheen and fish-like movements give them their name.
Silverfish scavenge for sugars and starches in moist, dark places. They feed on materials like paper, photos, wallpaper glue, cereals, and fabric. Though harmless, they can damage possessions with their chewing.
Controlling humidity is key to preventing silverfish infestations indoors. Sealing cracks, fixing leaks, and dehumidifying damp areas helps keep them out.
Fun fact: silverfish can live up to eight years – very long for an insect!
Spiders – Eight Masterful Legs
All spiders have eight legs that enable them to expertly crawl, run, jump, and climb just about anywhere. Legs vary widely in size, shape, and arrangement between species. Jumping spiders have very springy legs while those of web-building spiders are thinner for running across webs.
Sensory hairs cover spider legs, helping the spiders detect vibrations from both predators and prey. Their legs extrude hydraulic pressure which allows movement without bulky muscles.
Some spiders like the brown recluse have very long legs relative to their bodies. But all spiders have eight as adults, no matter the species.
Fun fact: by sensing vibrations through their legs, spiders can precisely locate the source, allowing quick attacks on prey.
Daddy Longlegs – Comparing Lookalikes
Two types of bugs commonly called daddy longlegs are frequently confused. Harvestmen are arachnids with eight very long, slender legs extending from a tiny round body. But cellar spiders also share this name, though they are true spiders.
Harvestmen differ by having just one body segment. They also have shorter pedipalps near their mouths that look like mini legs but serve as antennae. Both types are harmless to humans.
Fun fact: with their incredibly long legs compared to their bodies, harvestmen and cellar spiders can reach up to 5-6 inches across!
Caterpillars – Springy Prolegs Boost Mobility
Caterpillars, the larval stage of moths and butterflies, have three pairs of true legs on their upper segments as well as prolegs – fleshy limb-like parts – on their middle and rear segments. Prolegs allow caterpillars to grip surfaces as they crawl along plants and branches.
The number of prolegs varies by species. Monarch caterpillars have five pairs while inchworms have just two pairs of prolegs. In combination with their true legs, prolegs let caterpillars be quite mobile as they feed on leaves before forming cocoons.
Fun fact: a caterpillar’s prolegs disappear during the pupal stage, only to reemerge as six full legs when they become adults.
Centipede Mimics – Pseudocentipedes and More
Some multi-legged bugs merely resemble centipedes. Among these centipede “mimics” are pseudocentipedes, symphylans, and even some insect larvae like fishflies.
True centipedes always have an odd number of leg pairs while those impersonating them will have even numbers. And pseudocentipedes have more uniform body segments rather than the alternating wide and narrow segments of centipedes.
Being centipede-like offers advantages like scary looks that ward off predators. And extra legs assist with speedy movement through soil and leaf litter to find food and escape danger.
While bugs with lots of legs may look creepy, learning about how their legs help them survive can turn fear into fascination. Extra legs allow faster running, stronger gripping, and better sensing of prey and predators alike.
The diversity of leggy insects spans from the true thousand leggers like millipedes to common home invaders such as silverfish. Their specialized legs enable them to inhabit all sorts of ecosystems worldwide.
So next time you encounter a many-legged bug, take a closer look at those locomotive wonders rather than recoiling. A world of intricate engineering and design awaits beneath all those tiny feet!
What Are House Centipedes?
The house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) is the most common centipede found in the U.S. These centipedes are sometimes referred to as âhundred-leggers,â due to their many pairs of legs. House centipedes are usually about an inch or two long. Their bodies are divided into 15 segments, each with a pair of long legs. Other species of centipedes have more legs, but they always have an odd number of pairs of legs.
Centipedes are generally dark brown or yellow and sometimes have darker colors and markings. Adult centipedes have three dark parallel lines running from their head to the rear end of their bodies and a hair-covered pair of antennae on their heads. While some centipede species have compound eyes containing up to 200 optical units, others have a few simple eyes on each side of the head. Some centipedes donât have any eyes.
House centipedes have a pair of legs called forcipules right below their mouths, converted to carry out pincer-like actions. They use these pincer-like legs to discharge a venomous sting at their prey or use it for self-defense. The pair of legs at the end of centipedesâ bodies is very long and resembles the antennae in front. This makes it tough for the centipedeâs prey to differentiate the front from the rear.
Although they can look disgusting to some, they donât harm humans. On the contrary, they help you by preying on other common household pests such as cockroaches, silverfish, firebrats, carpet beetle larvae, spiders, termites, bed bugs, and other small arthropods. Their long legs allow them to run fast as they chase their prey, pounce on them, and wrap their long spindly legs around them, preventing them from escaping.
House centipedes have three life stages â egg, larva, and adult. They generally spend the winter outdoors. They lay their eggs in summer. Female house centipedes prefer the soil, where they can lay up to 35 eggs over a few days.
Newly hatched larvae, which are rarely seen, have four pairs of legs. The larvae undergo six molts and gain new pairs of legs after every molt. For example, centipedes will have 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 pairs of legs respectively after each molting stage, while after the final molt, they have 15 pairs of legs. They undergo four post-larval instars before reaching maturity.
Health Risks of House Centipedes
While house centipedes themselves do not pose health risks, their presence indicates that there are other pests around.
House centipedes donât harm or destroy stored products, fabrics, pets, humans, or the structural integrity of your building and are generally only considered a nuisance. All house centipedes are venomous, but they typically run away from humans, and they very rarely bite. Even if house centipedes bite you, itâs considered harmless.
The BIGGEST Insects With Many Legs!
FAQ
Are house centipedes harmful to humans?
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Not a Health Risk:House centipedes are not known to transmit diseases or cause serious harm to humans.
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Rare Bites:They typically avoid humans and will only bite if they feel threatened or are handled.
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Venom:While house centipedes are venomous, their venom is not potent enough to cause serious harm to humans.
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Localized Reactions:Bites usually cause minimal, localized pain, swelling, or redness, which typically resolves quickly.
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Beneficial Role:House centipedes are actually beneficial as they prey on other household pests like cockroaches, spiders, and silverfish.
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Anxiety:Their appearance and speed can be unsettling for some, but their presence is generally not a cause for concern.
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Prevention:To reduce encounters, seal cracks in your home, reduce moisture, and address any underlying pest problems.
Why am I getting centipedes in my house?
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Moisture and Dampness:Centipedes, like many insects, are susceptible to drying out, so they seek out damp environments. Look for leaks, puddles of water, or areas with high humidity.
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Prey:Centipedes are carnivores, meaning they eat other insects. If you’re seeing centipedes, it could mean you have other pests in your house that they are feeding on.
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Entry Points:Centipedes can enter homes through cracks, gaps, and even through drains or pipes.
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Hidden Habitats:They often hide in dark, damp areas like basements, bathrooms, closets, or under sinks.
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Not a Threat:While they can look scary, house centipedes are generally harmless to humans and don’t pose a significant health risk.
Should I let house centipedes live?
While some people may find house centipedes unsettling due to their appearance and speed, they are generally harmless to humans and can be beneficial in maintaining a balanced ecosystem within your home. If you find them in your house, it’s often best to leave them alone rather than trying to eliminate them.
What kind of bug has lots of legs?
Centipedes are sometimes called house centipedes or “hundred-leggers” because of their many pairs of legs. They are widely distributed throughout most of United States and the world. Centipedes are rarely seen by humans due to their nocturnal activity and the speed in which they move.
What bugs have a lot of legs?
Here is a list of the 7 most commonly found long and small bugs in your house with lots of legs. Check out how they look, including the number of legs they have. Also, know if they are a problem to worry about or not. Millipedes mean 1000 legs, and this bug carries those many legs effortlessly. It has got more legs than any other known bug.
What are the effects of bee stings on arms and legs?
Bee stings are painful injuries. The pain usually only lasts for a few hours if you have a mild reaction. Symptoms on your skin like swelling, skin discoloration and itching may last for a few days following the sting.
Are bugs with many legs bad?
Even bugs with lots of legs are also not bad news. More legs don’t translate to more danger. However, you would want your home to be free of billbugs, centipedes, spiders, millipedes, and other multi-legged harmful bugs. But how do you know which bug with many legs is known by what name? Moreover, how harmful a particular multi-legged bug is?
What are the most dangerous bugs with lots of legs?
The most dangerous bugs on our list of bugs with lots of legs include ticks, venomous spiders, and venomous scorpions. If you’re not sure which type of bug with lots of legs you are dealing with, it’s best to leave the animal alone or to contact a professional pest control expert for assistance.
What insects have more than 6 legs?
Most people are familiar with the 6-legged insects, such as ants, beetles, and grasshoppers. However, there are actually a number of insects that have more than 6 legs. For example, some species of millipedes can have up to 750 legs, while centipedes typically have between 15 and 177 legs.
Do bugs with long legs have wings?
Some bugs with long legs also have wings. Large bugs with long legs may sometimes struggle to fly long distances.