House Centipedes have very long legs, and are often seen running (quickly) in basements and attics and other cool, indoor places. These centipedes hunt crickets, ants, roaches, sow bugs, and other small creatures. House centipedes are one of the few types of centipedes that are not commonly found underneath rocks and logs. It is believed to be native to the Mediterranean region in Europe and has come to our part of the country from further south.
House Centipedes have a distinctive overall shape, with notably long legs. The general colors are yellowish brown hues, with three dark stripes running along the top of the body with lighter shading between them. The 15 pairs of legs are banded, becoming lighter toward their tips, with barbs that help hold onto prey.
Mostly encountered indoors in damp areas such as bathrooms, cellars, and crawl spaces. It will venture beyond these areas and is often seen quickly scurrying across people's floors or climbing a wall.
Indoors they are likely to be found at all times of the year provided they have warmth and available prey. To the North they will only be found outside during Summer.
Predatory on other arthropods, including cockroach nymphs, flies, moths, bedbugs, crickets, silverfish, earwigs, and small spiders. In short, they'll eat many things you'd probably much rather not have in your home.
Consider these beneficial in your home, since they rid you of other pests.
You'd be lucky to get a good look at one of these since they run away very quickly when approached.
House centipedes are aggressive predators to things their own size but are not considered dangerous to humans. Their small jaws (actually modified front legs) cannot easily pierce human skin. In the rare event you were bitten, pain and swelling may result, but it would probably be no worse than a bee sting.
If you're plagued by these, you should endeavor to rid yourself of their prey and attempt to close up as many entry points into your house as possible.