You catch movement out of the corner of your eye and instantly freeze. Something with far too many legs races across the basement floor, moving faster than expected and looking almost prehistoric. With long antennae and a quick, darting motion, it is easy to assume the worst. But in many homes, that unexpected visitor is often a house centipede — a creature that looks alarming but is usually harmless.
House centipedes are commonly found in dark, damp spaces where moisture and small insects are present. Basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and quiet corners give them the conditions they prefer. They are not searching for people or food left out on counters. Instead, they are usually following the insects they naturally hunt.
