House Centipedes: A Friend You Haven’t Met

Summary

House centipedes are beneficial creatures that serve as natural pest control, are harmless to humans, and are even considered cute and lucky by some.

Abstract

The article "House Centipedes: A Friend You Haven’t Met" sheds light on the often misunderstood house centipede, highlighting its role as a natural insectivore that helps keep homes free of pests like ants and spiders. Despite their intimidating appearance, centipedes are described as adorable, with their large eyes and perpetual smile-like features. They are also non-aggressive towards humans, preferring to avoid contact. The piece humorously suggests that centipedes can be entertaining for family activities, such as races, and touches on cultural beliefs that consider them bringers of good luck. However, the article concludes with a comedic twist, revealing the common human fear response when encountering these arthropods.

Opinions

House centipedes are portrayed as unsung heroes of the insect world for their role in controlling other insect populations.
The author believes that house centipedes are endearing creatures, with physical characteristics that make them appear cute.
Centipedes are considered preferable to harsh chemicals for pest control, particularly for bed bugs.
The article suggests that centipedes' speed and agility make them suitable for family-friendly competitions.
There is a humorous acknowledgment that despite their benefits, the sight of a centipede can induce a panic response in many people.
The piece playfully references cultural superstitions that associate house centipedes with good fortune.

Not all heroes have backbones

The best hugs. (Image credit: Saint Juniper from deviantart.com)

All we are saying, is give pedes a chance.

House centipedes, while visually off-putting, are the unsung heroes of the insect world. Don’t believe me? Maybe it’s time to educate yourself on the benefits of having a house centipede in your life.

1. They Eat Other Bugs

These creatures are insectivores: meaning they hunt and eat insects and arachnids. Once you see a house centipede, you know that pretty soon you won’t be seeing any annoying ants or spiders. They also clear up bed bugs without the need for harsh chemicals.

Want a clean house? Ask a house centipede: the maid you don’t have to pay or make awkward eye contact with.

3. They Don’t Like People

Unlike mosquitoes or horse flies — who drink blood to survive — house centipedes don’t want anything to do with us hairless apes. According to the Kaufman Field Guide to the Insects of North America, their small forcipules have difficulty penetrating skin. “Sting attempts are therefore rare unless the centipede is cornered or aggressively handled.” Just be gentle if you can’t resist the temptation to pet them.

4. They’re Perfect for Racing

Delicate legs allow centipedes to reach speeds of up to 0.4 meters/second. I recommend catching a pair of these arthropods, placing a tasty ladybug an equal distance away, and then releasing them to scramble for their feast. It’s fun for the whole family: from your four-year-old budding entomologist daughter, to your forty-eight-year-old gambling addict brother-in-law.

It’s good luck to see a House Centipede in December. (Original image from Wikipeia Commons altered by author)

Everyday Entomology

House Centipedes: A Friend You Haven’t Met

Not all heroes have backbones

1. They Eat Other Bugs

2. They’re Adorable

3. They Don’t Like People

4. They’re Perfect for Racing

5. They Bring Good Luck

The Folly in Bali

Joe Biden faces off against Xi Jinping

The Unconscious Farting Virtuoso That is my Wife

And I, the maestro, will bring it to the world!