7 Facts About The House Centipede

Updated on: July 23nd, 2026

Quick Overview

• House centipedes are arthropods with segmented bodies, exoskeletons, and numerous legs
• They groom their legs after meals and hunt insects and spiders at night
• Centipedes can shed legs to escape predators and then regrow them
• They prefer dark, damp habitats because they dehydrate easily
• Although fast and fang-bearing, they rarely harm humans and eat household pests

You’ve probably seen a centipede scurry across your floor at some point. 

Centipedes are classified as arthropods. So they are invertebrate animals with both an exoskeleton and a segmented body.

Centipedes have a set of legs for every segment of their body, so the longer the centipede, the more legs they have. The largest of these insects have up to 300 sets of legs.

While their appearance may creep you out, these insects don’t pose any threats to humans.

Little-Known Facts About the House Centipede

They Groom Themselves

Centipedes are pretty clean, as far as insects go. After each meal, they carefully clean their legs by dragging their mouth forcipules over the length of every one of their legs.

They’re Nocturnal Hunters

Why do you always find centipedes when having a midnight snack in your kitchen: Centipedes are nocturnal hunters. They hunt their prey—including soft-bodied insects and spiders—by sneaking up behind their target and leaping on it, or by using their back legs to “lasso” their victims.

They Can Regrow Lost Legs

Amazingly, centipedes can regenerate lost legs. So when they are they’re stuck in the mouth of a bird or other predator, they can often escape by leaving a few legs behind. If you see a centipede with a few legs that are shorter than the others, it’s likely recovering from an attack.

They Can Become Dehydrated

Having no water is much more serious for a centipede than missing a few legs. Centipedes are especially prone to dehydration, which is why they love dark, damp environments, such as under leaf piles or in damp, rotting wood.

They Can Reach Speeds of 16” Per Second

Yes, you read that right: The house centipede can travel well over a foot in a mere second. That’s pretty impressive considering that on average, centipedes are only 1.2 inches long. A centipede’s body is built for speed, suspended in a cradle between long and agile legs.

They Won’t Hurt You

While centipedes have fangs, they are delicate little insects that can’t puncture human skin. If they do bite you, it is said to feels similar to a small bee sting. About the worst thing centipedes can do to you is trigger an allergic reaction. And if you fear spiders, you may view the house centipede a friend. They feast on flies, cockroaches, moths, bed bugs, and spiders, along with a range of other common household pests.

They Are Considered Pets in Japan

Not only are centipedes harmless, but in some parts of the world like Japan, they are actually beloved pets, known as “Gejigeji”. Centipedes can grow to impressively large sizes in captivity.

Visit our Pest Library for even more information about the house centipede.

Professional Pest Control

JP Pest Services is dedicated to solving centipedes and other residential and commercial pest problems throughout New England. Our service professionals understand the specific requirements to keep homes and businesses free of unwanted pests.

Request a free residential estimate or a free commercial consultation today for pest solutions and programs tailored to your specific needs.