Centipedes in Tennessee | Pest ID Guide
Quick Facts About Centipedes
The centipede most people see indoors is the house centipede: a fast, long-legged hunter that lives in basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces. It’s startling, but it’s mostly harmless and eats other household pests.- Size: Body about 1 to 1 1/2 inches, with legs extending much farther
- Legs: 15 pairs of very long legs
- Color: Yellowish-gray with three dark stripes along the body and banded legs
- Diet: Cockroaches, silverfish, spiders, and other insects
- Where found: Damp basements, bathrooms, crawl spaces, and closets
- Active: Mostly at night
How to Identify House Centipedes
Very long legs, fast movement, and long antennae are the giveaway. Other centipedes found outdoors, such as stone and soil centipedes, are shorter-legged and rarely come inside.Centipedes vs. Millipedes
- Legs: Centipedes have one pair of legs per body segment; millipedes have two.
- Body: Centipedes are flattened; millipedes are round.
- Behavior: Centipedes are fast predators; millipedes are slow and eat decaying leaves.
- Bites: Centipedes can bite; millipedes can’t.
See our millipede guide.
Do House Centipedes Bite?
Rarely. They can bite if handled, which feels like a mild bee sting and usually fades quickly. Their venom is meant for insects and isn’t dangerous to people or pets.
What Their Presence Means
House centipedes go where the food and moisture are. Seeing them regularly usually means you have other insects, such as silverfish, cockroaches, or spiders, and damp areas they like. Controlling those is the best way to reduce centipedes.
How to Reduce House Centipedes
- Lower humidity: Run a dehumidifier in basements and fix leaks; see crawl space encapsulation.
- Control their food: Reduce the insects they hunt.
- Declutter: Clear boxes, piles, and debris from basements and closets.
- Seal gaps: Caulk cracks in foundations and around pipes.
- Clear the perimeter: Remove leaf litter, mulch buildup, and stones near the foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are house centipedes dangerous?
No. They rarely bite, and a bite feels like a mild bee sting.
Why do I have centipedes in my house?
They follow food and moisture. Regular sightings usually mean other insects and damp areas.
What do house centipedes eat?
Cockroaches, silverfish, spiders, and other small insects.
How do I tell a centipede from a millipede?
Centipedes have one pair of legs per segment, a flattened body, and move fast. Millipedes have two pairs per segment, a round body, and move slowly.
How do I get rid of house centipedes?
Lower humidity, reduce the insects they eat, declutter, seal cracks, and clear debris near the foundation.
