There’s a House Centipede in My Bedroom Right Now — Should I Be Worried?

Insects & Creepy-Crawlies
1

Hey everyone,

so I just spotted a huge house centipede running across my bedroom wall and now I can’t sleep. :sweat_smile: It disappeared before I could do anything about it, and I’ve read mixed things online — some say they’re harmless and even helpful, others say to get rid of them immediately.

For context, I live in an older house with a basement that sometimes feels damp, and I’ve seen a few small bugs lately. I’m wondering:

  • Should I be concerned about having more centipedes hiding somewhere?

  • Do they bite or cause any damage?

  • Is it true they eat other pests?

  • And most importantly — how do I make sure it never crawls over me while I sleep? :sob:

Would love to hear your experiences or tips for keeping them out!

2

Hey @SleepyHomeowner, don’t panic! House centipedes actually hunt other pests like spiders, roaches, and silverfish. They look terrifying, but they’re usually a sign that there’s food (aka other bugs) nearby. If you deal with the humidity and seal cracks, they’ll leave on their own.

3

Totally agree with @BugWatcher89. I used to see them in my basement all the time. Once I fixed a small leak and ran a dehumidifier, they disappeared. They’re fast but harmless, think of them as the creepy pest control squad you didn’t hire.

4

I freaked out the first time I saw one too. The way they move is nightmare fuel. But after learning they actually eat roaches, I let them be. Haven’t seen either in months!

5

I’d still set up some sticky traps or check for entry points. Sometimes they’re drawn in from drains or cracks near windows. @NightOwlNina is right though, once food sources are gone, they’ll usually vanish.

6

House centipedes can live for years if they find steady prey and moisture. So yeah… fix the dampness! I found one nesting under a bathroom mat once, learned my lesson fast.

7

I had one crawl across my laptop last month and I swear I almost moved out. :sweat_smile: Still, after hearing what @BugWatcher89 said, I might just appreciate them a little more. They really do keep the other bugs in check.

8

@ChillTenant same! One dropped from the ceiling onto my bed once. Nearly gave me a heart attack. Ever since, I keep my room spotless and dry, no centipedes since.

9

If you want peace of mind, check baseboards and closets for tiny gaps. Plug them up with caulk. They like dark, humid spaces, so a small fan or dehumidifier helps a ton.

10

They rarely bite humans, and even if they do, it’s more like a bee sting. Nothing serious. I’d say focus on keeping the humidity low and vacuum regularly. Works like a charm.

11

I actually kind of like having one around now, haven’t seen a single roach since. Guess it’s the lesser of two evils.

12

@BasementBenny I’m with you! I used to be terrified, but they’re like little exterminators. Once I accepted that, I started seeing fewer pests overall. Just keep them out of bedrooms if you can!