Pest Identification

Size:
Centipedes in the adult stage are about 1/8 to 6 in (4-152 mm) long.

Characteristics:
Centipedes are long and flat, with worm-like bodies of many segments. Each segment has one pair of legs. "Centi-" means 100, and "-pede" refers to legs, but centipedes may actually have 15-177 legs. The first pair form claw-like poison fangs. The last two point backward. First instars have only 4 segments, but with each molt more are added.

Color:
Usually yellowish to dark brown, sometimes with darker stripes or marks.

Where found:
"hundred-footed" creatures are found throughout most of the U.S. and the world.

Habitat:
Centipedes live outdoors, but may come inside. They live in damp places, such as rotting logs, under stones, in trash, mulch, clippings. Indoors they may be found in moist basements or closets.

Food:
Small insects, spiders, and sometimes plants. Most of the liquid they need comes from digestion of their prey. 

Biology:
Females of one type of centipede produce 35 eggs over a period of days. Eggs are laid in or on the soil during the summer. Adults may live a year, and some up to 5-6 years. They are nocturnal, which means they're active at night.

Damage:
Outdoors centipedes are beneficial because they help control other insects that are their prey. However, when they come indoors they are considered a nuisance. Some can also give a painful, though not deadly, bite.

Invasion:
All those feet are meant for walking, and they may wander into a damp bathroom, closet, basement, or potted plant.