I'm sorry, but I HATE these things - Scutigera coleoptrata

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 - 9:39pm

They are actually your friends

That is a Centipede, and they actually are a good thing...they eat small insects and their eggs, and are very territorial, so they can help to prevent infestations. They do not breed quickly themselves, and are considered one of the "good bugs". Do yourself a favor...capture them with a Dixie cup and a piece of paper, and put them in the basement...they'll help make sure you don't end up with "bad bugs".

… TomC11, 15 December, 2005 - 3:45pm

I don't miss those

When I lived in Columbus, our townhouse's basement was full of those centipedes. It's great that they're down there killing the other bugs, but we didn't appreciate their "visits" to the rest of the house, especially one night when we pulled back the sheets to find one scampering across the bed!

… Mike Boone, 20 July, 2004 - 8:53am

LOL

that's my biggest fear... being "tender" with my wife and having one of these shoot across the bed, basement office, kitchen, .....

i'm finally starting to warm up to a lot of insects and spiders, but these still give me the chills. Probably in the fluidity and freakishness of their movement. I cringe just thinking about them.

… plankalkul, 20 July, 2004 - 8:59am

Hey!

What's 30 more legs. ( for a total of 34 ) You should think the more the merrier. She's got legs; she knows how to use them!

… Tom Adams, 20 July, 2004 - 9:35am

heh

She never begs, she knows how to choose them.

She's got a dime all of the time,
stays out at night movin' through time.
Oh, I want her, sh--, I got to have her,
Scutigera coleoptrata is alright, she's alright.

again, *shudder*

… plankalkul, 20 July, 2004 - 9:49am

Footspeed

I think the bugs that I still have an aversion to are the ones that can move very quickly on their feet, like these centipedes, cockroaches, and some spiders. I guess I feel better when I know I can easily catch them and relocate them outside. You expect flying bugs to move fast, but it's amazing to see how fast some can move on their feet.

… Mike Boone, 20 July, 2004 - 9:08am

House Centipede

Scutigera coleoptrata
More info

… Troy Bartlett, 20 July, 2004 - 6:54am

Thanks!

They're cool in nature, vile in my house!

:)

… plankalkul, 20 July, 2004 - 8:44am