How to identify a House centipede

Scutigera coleoptrata
· Also called house centipede, scutigera, centipede in bathroom, does a house centipede bite

The blur of legs in a damp bathroom is a house centipede. It eats other pests and rarely bites.

The yellow-gray streak in a damp bathroom is a hunter of other pests. Long legs, three dark stripes, harmless in any ordinary household sense. People search “does a house centipede bite” after a scare. Rare mild pinch, no desert-centipede drama. Reducing moisture and other insects reduces them without a chemical war.

What does a house centipede look like?

Yellow-gray with three dark stripes, very long legs. Not thick or red like desert giants.

House centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) is Body ~25 mm, legs much longer. Colors people notice: gray, yellow, striped. Field marks: Very long legs, moves in a blur; Yellow-gray with three dark stripes; Found in damp bathrooms; Not thick or red like desert giants. It is found indoor. If those marks are missing, open Giant desert centipede before you force this name. Search phrases that belong on this page include what a house centipede looks like and house centipede identification.

Identification marks

Very long legs, moves in a blur
Yellow-gray with three dark stripes
Found in damp bathrooms
Not thick or red like desert giants

Size: Body ~25 mm, legs much longer
Colors: gray, yellow, striped
Where: indoor

House centipede vs Giant desert centipede

Bathroom speedster with absurdly long legs. Eats other pests. Not a desert giant. Killing every one is optional; they are predators of insects you like less.

Giant desert centipede identification (Scolopendra heros)
European earwig identification (Forficula auricularia)
Silverfish identification (Lepisma saccharinum)
Crane fly identification (Tipula spp.)
Pill bug identification (Armadillidium vulgare)
Millipede identification (Diplopoda)

Range and season

Homes across North America, year-round.

Damp rooms in buildings across North America, year-round.

Homes across North America. Harmless to most people and eats real pests.

Year-round indoors

Common questions

Does a house centipede bite?

Rarely, and it is minor. They prefer insects.

Should I kill it?

Your call. They eat roaches and silverfish.

Is it a millipede?

No. Fast, long-legged, one pair of legs per segment — centipede.

Are house centipedes dangerous?

No, not in any ordinary household sense.

House centipede identification (Scutigera coleoptrata)