Centipedes (Chilopoda)

What are centipedes?

Centipedes [right; more pictures of centipedes] are elongate and somewhat flattened predatory arthropods. Centipedes have a single pair of legs on each of their body segments whereas millipedes (Diplopoda) have two pair per segment. They range in size from very small (4 mm ~ 1/8") to very large (150 mm ~ 6"). Larger centipedes can inflict a painful but non-poisonous bite.

The house centipede (lower, right) has unusually long, fragile legs and is the only centipede that is typically found in houses. The house centipede occurs in southern Europe and eastern Canada and the US. This centipede is about 1-1/2" long and inhabits damp areas of houses. It is harmless but frightens many homeowners.

common names & misspellings: "hundred leggers", "hundred-legged worms", centepede

Centipede control in homes

As predators, centipedes are beneficial to gardeners and no attempt should be made to control them outdoors. They feed on a variety of small prey many of which are garden pests. Wear gloves when working around wood piles and other debris where centipedes are found to protect your hands from bites.

House centipedes tend to occur in damp, undisturbed areas of homes. If possible dry out these areas and clean up any debris where centipedes might hide. Insecticidal dusts can be used in dry areas to control wandering centipedes. Either borate or silica dust will be effective as long as it remains dry. Areas that remain damp can be treated with one of the new plant-based botanical insecticides.