There's nothing more terrifying than finding one of these long, skittery pests hanging out in your basement. But before you screech at the top of your lungs while reaching for your shoe, you should know that house centipedes are far from being bad guys.
While nobody likes creepy crawlies running around their home, these centipedes are actually on the lookout for even nastier pests, according to Rodale's Organic Life. House centipedes (Scutigera coleoptrata) tend to lurk in the humid areas of homes looking for prey, including cockroaches, termites, spiders, and silverfish. By far, that list of insects combined is way creepier than any house centipede!
How are they able to kill all these terrible bugs? These creatures might have 30 legs, so they can move fast, but that's not the only impressive thing about them. Their front two legs double as fangs that are filled with venom to inject their victims with. (Don't worry though: the fangs aren't strong enough to prick human skin.)
Plus, their other legs allow the centipedes to attack and trap insects—cowboy style!—with a lassoing method. They're very hungry insects, too, with a high metabolic rate, so expect them to do the job of clearing those pests out of your home for good in no time.
So the next time you find a centipede in your tub, opt for a jar and take it outside, or better yet, caulk up the cracks and gaps in your home. This simple fix allows them to keep hunting in your walls all night long, and will put your mind (and your vocal chords) at ease.
(h/t Rodale's Organic Life)
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