Never EVER kill a house centipede again. I had no idea.

The sight of insects often triggers discomfort in most individuals. Whether it’s the sight of a charming ladybug or a daunting spider, insects have a way of eliciting fear in many people. This instinctive reaction leads us to panic when encountering them indoors, often resulting in the immediate urge to eliminate them.

Centipedes, colloquially dubbed “hundred-leggers” owing to their numerous pairs of legs, enjoy widespread distribution across the United States and beyond. However, encountering them is relatively rare for humans due to their primarily nocturnal habits and rapid movement.

By and large, these creatures pose minimal harm to humans. The venom wielded by most centipedes lacks potency sufficient to impact larger animals or people.

One advantage of these unsettling insects is their diet, which primarily consists of far more troublesome bugs like termites, spiders, silverfish, bedbugs, ants, and cockroaches. This dietary preference earns them the title of “good guys” in the realm of pest control.

This serves as a compelling rationale for refraining from killing them when encountered indoors. Rather than resorting to smashing them, it’s advisable to either let them be or gently relocate them outdoors. By doing so, these insects can continue their natural role of consuming leaves and other pests. In essence, this approach should be extended to all uninvited insects that find their way into our homes.

Certainly, it’s important to recognize that some bugs and insects pose significant danger and should be avoided at all costs. Take, for instance, bullet ants, whose bites are known to induce sensations akin to being shot. These are creatures that warrant careful avoidance and respect due to their potentially lethal effects.