House Centipedes in Singapore – Greencare Pest Control & Cleaning
Dangerous or not? Identification, bites & prevention
What Are House Centipedes?
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.
Singapore Centipede Species
There are 5 orders of centipedes and 4 can be found in Singapore. Most are forest dwellers. Few live in homes.
Long-legged Cave Centipede
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.
Short-legged Centipedes
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.
Large Scolopendra Species
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.
Burrowing Centipedes
These are centipedes with 21-23 body segments. More than 27 body segments in largest species. Very long and slender. Adapted for underground life.
Are House Centipedes Dangerous?
The real answer about danger level
Short answer: No, not to most people.
- While centipedes do possess venom and use it to subdue their prey, they are generally not harmful to humans. Bites from centipedes are rare and typically only occur if the insect feels threatened or is handled.
- The bite feels like a bee sting and goes away in a day or two.
- House centipedes rarely bite people. They prefer to run away rather than attack.
- While the venom is generally not fatal to human, been bitten by the bigger species can be very painful. The victim may also experience headaches and nausea for a few days, and the bitten area may swell up.
- Death cases are extremely rare, unless the victim is allergic to the venom.
- Most house centipede bites cause only localized pain, redness, and swelling.
Common Myths About House Centipedes
Myth: “Centipedes have 100 legs”
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!
Myth: “They bite you in your sleep”
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.
Myth: “They spread diseases”
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.
Myth: “One bite can be fatal”
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.
What Centipede Bites Feel Like
If a centipede manages to bite you, here’s what to expect:
Immediate symptoms
- Sharp pain at bite site
- Two tiny puncture marks
- Redness around wound
- Mild to moderate swelling
- Itching sensation
- Local pain for 1-2 days
Rare severe reactions
- Headache lasting days
- Nausea
- Significant swelling
- Allergic reaction (very rare)
- Swelling that spreads up limb
- Infection if wound contaminated
Signs of Centipede Infestation
Look for these warning signs:
Frequent sightings
Seeing centipedes regularly in dark areas. Multiple sightings in bathrooms, basements, or kitchens.
Presence of prey insects
Centipedes eat insects like ants, spiders, cockroaches, and silverfish. If you have many of these, centipedes will follow.
Wet basements
Excessive moisture and humidity. Standing water or water stains. Dark, undisturbed areas.
Pest activity
Signs of other insect infestations. Centipedes hunt these pests. Their presence indicates food source available.
First Aid If You Get Bitten
What to do immediately
- Wash the bite: Use antibacterial soap and clean running water immediately. This removes venom and prevents infection.
- Apply ice: Use an ice pack wrapped in a thin cloth. Apply for 10 minutes on, then 10 minutes off. This brings down swelling without risking frostbite.
- Take pain reliever: Take pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease the pain.
- Soak in warm water (optional): If the area starts to swell up, soak the affected part in hot water (about 35-40 degree Celcius) for 30 minutes.
- Apply ointment: Put antibiotic ointment on the bite and keep it clean. Cover with a bandage if needed.
- Watch for complications: Monitor for infection or allergic reaction over next 48 hours.
- Seek medical help if: If it causes intense pain, or if you are allergic to insect venom, consult your doctor or head to the nearest clinic.
Prevention: Keeping Centipedes Out
Reduce moisture
Centipedes love moisture, food, and undisturbed shelter. Fix leaks. Use dehumidifiers. Reduce standing water in bathrooms.
Seal entry points
Seal cracks and gaps: Use caulk or weather stripping around doors, windows, baseboards, and where pipes enter the home.
Remove hiding spots
Reduce clutter: Centipedes like to hide under piles of boxes, clothing, and paper. Clean regularly. Remove debris.
Control other pests
Centipedes eat insects like ants, spiders, cockroaches, and silverfish. Reducing these bugs will reduce centipedes.
Keep drains clean
Clean drains: Especially in showers, sinks, and tubs—moisture and food debris attract bugs that centipedes eat.
Improve ventilation
With a wet basement, a leak in your home, or poor ventilation in your bathroom, you are attracting centipedes. Use fans. Open windows.
Should You Kill Centipedes?
Centipedes are shy. They prefer to run and hide instead of fight. Most centipedes are beneficial because they eat pest insects.
The best approach:
- Let them go if you find one. They’ll move on.
- Use a cup and paper to capture and release outside.
- Don’t handle them directly (low but real bite risk).
- Only remove if infestation is severe.
- Call professionals if population is high.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can centipedes kill humans?
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.
Can house centipedes hurt my pets?
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.
Why are centipedes in my bathroom?
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.
Are centipedes and millipedes the same?
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.
How fast can centipedes run?
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.
Concerned About Centipedes in Your Home?
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.
