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Pest Library
Size: |
Centipedes in the adult stage are about 1/8 to 6 in
(4-152 mm) long. |
Characteristics: |
Centipedes are long and flat, with worm-like bodies of many segments.
Each segment has one pair of legs. "Centi-" means 100, and
"-pede" refers to legs, but centipedes may actually have
15-177 legs. The first pair form claw-like poison fangs. The last
two point backward. First instars have only 4 segments, but with each
molt more are added. |
Color: |
Usually yellowish to dark brown, sometimes with darker stripes or
marks. |
Geographic Range: |
These "hundred-footed" creatures are found throughout
most of the U.S. and the world. |
Habitat: |
Centipedes live outdoors, but may come inside. They live in damp
places, such as rotting logs, under stones, in trash, mulch, clippings.
Indoors they may be found in moist basements or closets. |
Food: |
Small insects, spiders, and sometimes plants. Most of the liquid
they need comes from digestion of their prey. |
Biology: |
Females of one type of centipede produce 35 eggs over a period
of days. Eggs are laid in or on the soil during the summer. Adults
may live a year, and some up to 5-6 years. They are nocturnal, which
means they're active at night. |
Invasion: |
All those feet are meant for walking, and they may wander into a
damp bathroom, closet, basement, or potted plant. |
Damage: |
Outdoors centipedes are beneficial because they help control other
insects that are their prey. However, when they come indoors they
are considered a nuisance. Some can also give a painful, though not
deadly, bite. |
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