Why You Should Think Twice Before Squashing This Household Bug

One of the phrases I have heard most often at my house is, "Daaaad, can you come get this bug?" For as long as I can remember, I have been the designated Bug Bouncer. Spiders don’t spook me. I’m cool with crickets. Stink bugs don’t stand a chance. Even mice are super manageable. Most creepy crawlies don't bother me.

Well…almost all of them.

There is one little creature that stops me in my tracks every single time: the house centipede.

Meet the Creepiest of the Creepy: The House Centipede

If you've seen one, you know exactly why. With what seems like a hundred legs flying in every direction, long antennae, and lightning-fast speed, house centipedes look like they escaped from a science fiction movie. Despite their name, house centipedes actually only have around 30 legs, but when one comes racing across the floor, it certainly feels like there are a lot more than that.

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Like many people, I've always assumed the best solution was to get rid of them as quickly as possible. But after seeing several social media posts claiming these creepy-looking critters are actually helpful, I decided to find out if there was any truth to it.

As strange as it sounds, there is.

Are House Centipedes Really Helpful?

House centipedes are actually one of the good guys when it comes to keeping your home pest-free. They feed on insects that most of us would much rather have gone, including cockroaches, termites, silverfish, ants, spiders, and even some flies. They don't chew on wood, damage your home, or build nests, and while they can bite, it's extremely uncommon and usually only happens if they're handled.

Now, does that mean I've suddenly become a centipede fan? Not exactly.

I'll still probably jump and let out a high-pitched sound (and curse word) if one darts out from under the washer or dryer at top speed. But now, instead of immediately declaring war, I might think twice before reaching for the nearest shoe.

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So, the next time you spot one of these speedy little roommates, resist the urge to squash it and try to take comfort in knowing it's probably busy hunting down the bugs you really don't want around.