Dangerous or not? Identification, bites & prevention
Is it dangerous? Should you be afraid? The truth about house centipedes in Singapore is different from what you might think. Understanding them removes the fear and helps you take appropriate action.
Centipedes are arthropods with an elongate and flattened body made up of at least 16 segments. Each segment has one pair of legs. They’re not insects. They’re arthropods, like spiders and crustaceans.
The house centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) is what most homeowners see. These yellowish-grey bugs have 15 pairs of long, banded legs. House centipedes rarely bite people. When they do, it’s because they got trapped against skin.
House centipedes rarely bite people. When they do, it’s because they got trapped against skin. The most common Singapore species is the Long-legged Cave Centipede (Thereuopoda longicornis). It has up to 15 pairs of long legs.
There are 5 orders of centipedes and 4 can be found in Singapore. Most are forest dwellers. Few live in homes.
The Long-legged Cave Centipede (Thereuopoda longicornis) is 10-cm-long. Most common in homes. Has 15 pairs of long legs. Fast hunter with compound eyes.
These are short centipedes with up to 15 pairs of short legs. Two species in Singapore. Less commonly seen in homes. Prefer forest leaf litter.
There are about 18 species in Singapore, of which there are three confirmed species of Scolopendra. These are much larger. Scolopendromorph centipedes are usually large and robust with large fangs that can give very painful bites.
These are centipedes with 21-23 body segments. More than 27 body segments in largest species. Very long and slender. Adapted for underground life.
Short answer: No, not to most people.
Centipede means ‘100 legs’, but depending on the species, this insect has anywhere from 15 to well over 100 pairs of legs! However, the common house centipede only has 15 pairs of legs, but it can travel approximately 1.3 feet per second!
Most species are also nocturnal to avoid water loss, and are most readily found in damp habitats such as the leaf litter or underground. They avoid humans. Bites during sleep are extremely rare.
Centipedes can be venomous, but neither centipedes nor millipedes are considered lethal or dangerous to humans and pets. They do not transmit diseases to humans, and unlike other pests, do not go after our food, nor damage furniture and plants.
A study on the NCBI Bookshelf found that from 1979 to 2001, only six deaths in the U.S. were linked to centipede bites. Serious harm from bites is very rare. Deaths are extremely rare in Singapore.
If a centipede manages to bite you, here’s what to expect:
Look for these warning signs:
Seeing centipedes regularly in dark areas. Multiple sightings in bathrooms, basements, or kitchens.
Centipedes eat insects like ants, spiders, cockroaches, and silverfish. If you have many of these, centipedes will follow.
Excessive moisture and humidity. Standing water or water stains. Dark, undisturbed areas.
Signs of other insect infestations. Centipedes hunt these pests. Their presence indicates food source available.
Centipedes love moisture, food, and undisturbed shelter. Fix leaks. Use dehumidifiers. Reduce standing water in bathrooms.
Seal cracks and gaps: Use caulk or weather stripping around doors, windows, baseboards, and where pipes enter the home.
Reduce clutter: Centipedes like to hide under piles of boxes, clothing, and paper. Clean regularly. Remove debris.
Centipedes eat insects like ants, spiders, cockroaches, and silverfish. Reducing these bugs will reduce centipedes.
Clean drains: Especially in showers, sinks, and tubs—moisture and food debris attract bugs that centipedes eat.
With a wet basement, a leak in your home, or poor ventilation in your bathroom, you are attracting centipedes. Use fans. Open windows.
Centipedes are shy. They prefer to run and hide instead of fight. Most centipedes are beneficial because they eat pest insects.
The best approach:
No. Death cases are extremely rare, unless the victim is allergic to the venom. In 22 years (1979-2001), only 6 deaths in the entire U.S. were linked to centipede bites. No deaths reported in Singapore from house centipede bites.
Dogs and cats may chase or try to eat centipedes. This puts them at risk for bites. Smaller pets are hit harder by the venom. Large pets usually recover fine. Small animals need veterinary attention.
Centipedes love moisture, food, and undisturbed shelter. This makes them attracted to dark, hidden, and damp environments that constantly remain humid all year round. Your bathroom has all three conditions they need.
No. Centipedes are venomous and differs from Millipedes by have only one pair of legs per segment. Millipedes are not venomous or poisonous. Millipedes are harmless.
The common house centipede has 15 pairs of legs, but it can travel approximately 1.3 feet per second! That’s about 0.4 meters per second. Fast, but not impossible to escape.
House centipedes are usually harmless but their presence signals moisture and pest problems. Professional assessment identifies what’s attracting them and how to eliminate the source.
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