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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Centipedes (Chilopoda) » House Centipedes (Scutigeromorpha) » Scutigeridae » Scutigera » House Centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata)
Photo#33984
Basement dweller - Scutigera coleoptrata
Copyright © 2005 bachman910

Basement dweller - Scutigera coleoptrata
Colonie, Albany County, New York, USA
October 6, 2005
Size: 2 inches long average
We have been seeing these inserts on our basement ceiling for years. We have no idea what they are or if we can prevent them from coming in the house. Any ideas/advice. They run EXTREMELY fast (of course if I had that many legs, I probably could too!).
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Contributed by bachman910 on 7 October, 2005 - 5:56pm
Last updated 12 November, 2005 - 8:17pm

Scutigera coleoptrata (L., 17
Scutigera coleoptrata (L., 1758). This is believed to be a European species that has been introduced into North America by man and now occurs throughout the continent. It is often found inside houses in damp, cool spots, like in bathtubs, sinks & drains, and cellars.
… Rowland Shelley, 7 March, 2007 - 9:42pm login or register to post comments

Not so Bad to Have in the House
These guys eat lots of insects that might try and invade your house. So you may want to leave them be. Regardless they still give me the willies.
… Jeff Clark, 17 October, 2005 - 7:07pm login or register to post comments

Ha!
If I had that many legs I'd trip all over myself:-) Your critter is a house centipede, Scutigera coleoptrata. Very common, just not often seen because they are nocturnal predators of other small creatures. No need to worry, they are harmless to people. Great image of the entire animal, by the way.
… Eric R. Eaton, 7 October, 2005 - 6:25pm login or register to post comments

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