Species guide
House centipede
HarmlessScutigera coleoptrata
How to recognise it
Greyish-yellow body with three dark stripes and up to 15 pairs of very long, fragile legs that give it a fast, flowing run. Often seen darting across bathroom or basement floors at night.
Is it dangerous?
Effectively harmless and actually beneficial — it hunts roaches, silverfish and other pests. It can bite only if roughly handled, and even then it's minor and rare.
What to do
No action needed. If you'd rather not share the house, reduce damp and the small insects it feeds on.
Recorded 31,540 times in the wild worldwide.
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