Identification

The house centipede runs rapidly, holding its body well elevated, suddenly stops, then runs again toward concealment. It is one to two inches long, with very long slender antennae and 15 pairs of long legs. The grayish yellow to brown body has 3 longitudinal dorsal stripes, and the legs are banded with white. This centipede has compound eyes. They can readily detach their legs if grasped by an enemy. The last pair of legs is very long and is modified to hold its victims.

This species of centipede is found in wet damp places, especially in basements, in potted plants that are over watered and in bathrooms. Their bite can be painful, but is not generally toxic to humans.