Centipede eggs are a fascinating part of the centipede life cycle. As arthropods centipedes must lay eggs to reproduce. Understanding where centipedes lay their eggs, what the eggs look like, and how to identify them can be useful for controlling centipede populations.
What Do Centipede Eggs Look Like?
Most centipede eggs are small oval-shaped, and cream or light brown in color. They have a smooth, shiny appearance. The eggs are generally deposited in clusters in the soil or other protected locations.
Female centipedes that guard their eggs will often clean them by licking off any fungal growth. This helps keep the eggs clean and increases the chances of successful hatching.
Eggs that are exposed to the elements and not cared for by the female will often have dirt, debris, or fungal growth on the surface.
Where Do Centipedes Lay Their Eggs?
Centipedes prefer to lay their eggs in locations that protect them from predators and environmental factors. Common egg laying sites include:
- In the soil or loose dirt, usually 1-3 inches below the surface
- Under rocks, rotting logs, or piles of leaves
- In cracks or crevices in trees, rocks, or manmade structures
- In mulch or compost piles
- In damp basements, crawlspaces, or other humid areas inside a home
Some species remain with the eggs to stand guard until they hatch. Others lay the eggs and move on. Tropical species may reproduce and lay eggs year-round, while temperate species usually breed in spring and summer.
How Many Eggs Do Centipedes Lay?
The number of eggs laid by a female centipede depends on the species. Smaller species may lay between 15-60 eggs at a time. Larger tropical centipedes can lay up to 150 eggs in a single clutch.
The eggs are generally laid in a cluster, with the female carefully depositing each egg alongside the others. Multiple clutches may be laid by a single female during the breeding season.
What Is The Centipede Life Cycle?
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Adult female centipedes lay eggs, usually during spring and summer in temperate climates.
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Eggs hatch after 1-5 months, depending on species and temperature.
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Offspring emerge looking like tiny versions of the adults, with only a portion of their legs.
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Through successive molts as they grow, the juvenile centipedes add additional legs and body segments.
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After the final molt to adulthood, they are fully developed and ready to reproduce, beginning the cycle again.
Most species live 3-6 years on average. Some of the larger tropical species may live up to 10 years.
Do The Eggs Need To Be Guarded?
Some centipede species diligently guard their eggs until they hatch. The female centipede will coil her body around the eggs and aggressively defend them from any intruders.
She may also meticulously groom the eggs, licking off any fungal growths that could damage them. This attentive egg-guarding behavior helps ensure a higher survival rate.
Other centipede species do not provide any care for their eggs after depositing them in the soil or other protected location. These females lay the eggs and immediately leave. The eggs are vulnerable to predators and fungi, resulting in higher mortality.
How Long Does It Take Centipede Eggs To Hatch?
Centipede eggs can take anywhere from 1-5 months to fully develop and hatch, depending on the species and habitat conditions like temperature and humidity. Some factors that influence incubation time include:
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Climate: Eggs laid in tropical areas tend to hatch sooner than temperate regions. Warmer temperatures speed up development.
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Species: Larger centipede species generally have longer incubation times than smaller species.
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Time of Year: Eggs laid in late spring/summer hatch sooner than those laid in fall.
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Guarding: Eggs cared for by the female hatch more quickly than abandoned eggs.
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Habitat: Eggs laid in protected microclimates may hatch faster than those exposed to the elements.
Once the eggs are ready, the young centipedes emerge looking like tiny versions of the adults. They immediately begin hunting and developing.
Can You Find Centipede Eggs Indoors?
Occasionally, centipede eggs may be laid inside homes by female house centipedes. This usually only occurs in damp basements, crawlspaces, bathrooms or laundry rooms that provide adequate warmth and humidity.
Indoor signs that may indicate the presence of centipede eggs include:
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High moisture areas like basements with standing water or condensation.
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Organic debris such as leaf litter, mulch, or compost.
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Cracks or gaps along floors, walls, or foundations that allow entry.
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Increased sightings of adult centipedes, especially gravid (egg carrying) females.
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Small, round cream or brown clusters in corner or wall voids.
Finding and eliminating any centipede eggs is important to prevent future infestations. Be sure to also correct conditions that allow centipedes to enter and breed indoors.
How Can You Get Rid Of Centipede Eggs?
If you discover a cluster of centipede eggs, either indoors or outdoors, there are a few effective removal methods:
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Use a vacuum cleaner to safely suck up any eggs. Immediately empty the vacuum contents into a sealed bag and discard.
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For outdoor egg clusters, boil some water and pour it directly over the eggs to kill them.
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Apply a liquid insecticide labeled for centipede/arthropod control directly to the eggs to dissolve them on contact.
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Remove and discard any infested organic debris, boards, rocks or other egg-laying sites.
Prevention is key to avoiding recurring issues with centipede eggs. Eliminate moisture sources, seal cracks and openings, remove debris/clutter, and use desiccants or insecticides when needed.
Do Natural Predators Eat Centipede Eggs?
Centipede eggs do face threats from certain natural predators in the environment. Animals that will readily consume centipede eggs if discovered include:
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Rodents: Mice, rats, and voles will eat centipede eggs as a protein source. These animals are highly effective at uncovering hidden egg clutches.
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Ants: Certain ant species will not only eat the eggs, but also attack and kill young centipedes as they emerge.
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Ground beetles: These predatory insects feed on a variety of small invertebrates. Centipede eggs are easy targets.
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** Wasps and hornets:** The larvae of some wasps and hornets rely on insect prey to develop. Centipede eggs make nutritious meals.
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Toads and frogs: These amphibians sweep the soil and leaf litter with their tongues to catch any small insects or eggs.
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Birds: Robin, thrushes, crows, and other ground-foraging birds seek out centipede eggs to supplement their diets.
Constant threats from natural predators helps keep centipede populations in check around homes and gardens.
Key Takeaways About Centipede Eggs
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Centipede eggs are laid in clusters in the soil or other protected sites. The female does not mate directly with a male to produce the eggs.
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Egg-laying generally takes place during spring and summer in temperate areas, but tropical species can reproduce year-round.
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Some species diligently guard the eggs until hatching, while others provide no care.
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Development time ranges from 1-5 months depending on climate, habitat, and species. Warmer temperatures accelerate hatching.
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Indoors, centipede eggs may be laid in damp basements, crawlspaces, bathrooms or other humid areas.
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Vacuuming, liquid insecticides, and disposal of infested items helps eliminate centipede eggs. Prevention is critical.
Understanding the centipede reproductive process and typical egg-laying behaviors will help you find and destroy any unwanted clusters. With vigilance and proper control measures, centipede eggs don’t need to become a problem around your home.
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Creepy Yet Heartwarming: Centipede Mother “Hugs” Its Babies | National Geographic
FAQ
Do centipedes lay eggs in houses?
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Reproduction:House centipedes reproduce sexually. The male deposits spermatophores that the female picks up to fertilize her eggs.
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Egg Laying:Females lay eggs in damp, secluded spots like basements, closets, bathrooms, and under baseboards.
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Larval Stage:Eggs hatch into larvae, which are miniature versions of the adults with fewer legs.
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As they grow, they molt several times, adding body segments and legs.
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House centipedes can live for 3 to 7 years and start breeding in their third year.
Is centipede poisonous to humans?
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Centipedes are predatory arthropods with venom produced by glands at the base of their fangs, which they inject through modified legs called forcipules.
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While the venom is not typically life-threatening, bites can be quite painful, especially from larger centipedes.
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Common symptoms of a centipede bite include:
- Localized pain, swelling, and redness
- Possible nausea, sweating, or swollen lymph nodes
- In rare cases, more severe symptoms like chills, fever, or weakness
- Localized pain, swelling, and redness
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Most centipede bites don’t require medical treatment, and symptoms usually subside within a few hours or days.
- First aid: Clean the wound with soap and water, apply ice or a cold compress to reduce swelling, and take over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Monitor for complications: Watch for signs of infection or a severe allergic reaction.
- First aid: Clean the wound with soap and water, apply ice or a cold compress to reduce swelling, and take over-the-counter pain relievers.
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While many centipede species are harmless, some larger ones, like the Texas Redheaded Centipede, can cause more severe pain and reactions.
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House centipedes are common in homes and are not considered dangerous to humans.
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Consult a doctor if you experience:
- Severe pain or swelling
- Signs of infection (fever, pus, increasing pain)
- Difficulty breathing, dizziness, or other signs of a severe allergic reaction
- Severe pain or swelling
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Centipedes are beneficial as they prey on other pests like spiders and insects.
How long does it take for centipede eggs to hatch?
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Hatching Time:The incubation period for centipede eggs can range from one to three months.
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Immature Centipedes:Upon hatching, young centipedes resemble adults but often have fewer pairs of legs.
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Molting:These immature centipedes undergo several molts (shedding their exoskeletons) as they grow, with the number of legs increasing with each molt.
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Parental Care:Some centipede species exhibit parental care, with females sometimes curling around their egg masses to protect them.
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Matriphagy:In some species, the newly hatched young may even consume their mother.
Do house centipedes bite?
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Bites are rare:House centipedes are not aggressive and will typically try to escape rather than bite.
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Not a threat:Their bites are not medically significant and are unlikely to cause serious harm.
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Venom:While they do have venom, it’s not as potent as that of some other centipede species, and their bites rarely cause any serious effects.
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Symptoms:A bite may cause minimal, localized pain and swelling, but some individuals may experience more severe pain.
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When bites occur:Bites are most likely to happen when a person accidentally picks up or handles a centipede, or if they are trapped or feel threatened.
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Wash the area with soap and water, apply a cold compress, and use an over-the-counter analgesic for pain relief. Seek medical attention if signs of infection or a severe allergic reaction develop.
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Beneficial insects:House centipedes are actually beneficial to have around because they eat other household pests like spiders, cockroaches, and silverfish.
How many eggs does a centipede lay?
A centipede’s life cycle begins as an egg. There’s no direct mating between the male and the female to produce an egg. The female lays fertilized eggs in the ground. A minimum of 5 eggs laid at a time is standard even if some female centipedes can lay up to 150 eggs at a time. Hatching time for the eggs is very different among centipede species.
Do centipedes lay eggs after mating?
After mating, many centipede species lay a cluster of eggs in the soil. Centipedes in the orders Lithobiomorpha and Scutigeromorpha lay their eggs one at a time. The European banded centipede ( Lithobius variegatus ) mates in spring, then lay eggs for much of the year.
What happens when centipede eggs hatch?
When centipede eggs hatch, the infant centipedes, also known as nymphs, emerge. These nymphs are miniature versions of the adults but with fewer leg segments. As they grow, they undergo a process called anamorphosis, where they add additional body segments and legs with each molt.
What do centipede eggs look like?
Most centipede eggs are either cream or brown. The eggs have a certain shine to their spherical colored appearance. Species of centipedes that guard the eggs are mostly known for licking the eggs. This keeps them looking clean. The process is known as fungus-control in centipede eggs.
Do centipedes consume their eggs?
Some centipede species may abandon or eat their eggs.
Where do house centipedes lay their eggs?
House centipedes lay their eggs in these same areas, as well as behind baseboards and beneath the bark of firewood brought inside the home. People will often find adults trapped in bathtubs, sinks, and toilet bowls, or see them running rapidly along walls and floors as they hunt their prey.