Can someone give me some facts about the Centipede bug?

Question

Two days ago found a huge one in my bath tub. To freaked out to do research, in fear of photo pop ups.

Trust me it was a Centipede and not a Silver Fish. It was all black with red tentacles. My apartment is under contruction and I broke the cover off the drain. Sorry I'm still a bit freaked out, it's like 2" inches in length.

Answer 1

CENTIPEDES
Description
Centipedes or "hundred-leggers," are elongated, flattened animals, bearing one pair of legs per body segment. The actual total number of legs in most species is closer to 30 than to 100. Adult centipedes are usually brownish and over 1 inch in length. The house centipede, a species that commonly invades buildings, has long legs that enable it to run rapidly. Unlike millipedes, centipedes never coil up when disturbed.

Garden centipedes (symphylids) may be confused with true centipedes but are white, less than 1/4 inch in length, and have 12 pairs of legs as adults. Symphylids live in damp soil where they sometimes attack underground portions of plants. They are associated with soils that are high in organic matter.

Habitat and Importance
Centipedes usually are found in damp, dark places, such as under stones, leaf mulch, or logs. Indoors, centipedes may occur in damp areas of basements, closets, or bathrooms, or anywhere in the home where insects occur. During the day they hide in dark cracks and crevices, coming out at night to search for insects to eat.

House centipedes are actually beneficial--they capture flies, cockroaches, and other small household pests. They never damage plants or household items.

When provoked, a few large kinds of centipedes can inflict a painful bite that may cause localized swelling, discoloration, and numbness.

Life Cycle
Adult centipedes overwinter in secluded moist places. Eggs are usually placed in damp soil in the spring and summer. Some centipede species add segments and legs as they grow; others are born with a complete set. Centipedes require 2 to 3 years to mature, and have been known to live 6 years.

Control
Centipedes seldom need to be controlled unless they become a nuisance in the home. Centipedes are predators and generally play a beneficial role in the garden. Their activities should be encouraged in the yard. Reductions in the number of household centipedes occur when their food source--other household pests--is controlled. Airing out damp places may help. Outdoors, centipede control is aided by the removal of debris as recommended for millipedes.

Although some pesticides are labeled for controlling centipedes, their use is rarely justified. Be especially careful to avoid products containing diazinon and chlorpyrifos, which pose problems for aquatic invertebrates and must be kept out of storm water or sewer drains.

Answer 2

WHAT IS A CENTIPEDE?

Centipedes are long, multi-segmented arthropods that resemble millipedes. Centipedes have only 1 pair of legs on each segment, while millipedes have 2 legs on most segments. Centipedes also resemble insects, but insects have only 3 body segments and 6 legs. Centipedes have 1 pair of antennae, and chewing mouthparts. Centipedes are unique because their first pair of legs have evolved into venomous fangs.

CENTIPEDE FACTS

Some centipedes are incredibly large. Giant centipedes from South America will grow to over a foot in length. For a large centipede like this, insect aren't much of a meal: instead, prey include mice, snakes, lizards, and frogs.

Centipedes have different numbers of legs depending on the species. Although the species with the most legs look impressive, the fastest centipedes are usually the ones with the fewest legs (such as house centipedes).

Centipedes and millipedes are believed to be more closely related to insects than to spiders and other arachnids.

For more information about scolopendromorph centipedes, including the geographic ranges for common species, visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences website at: www.naturalsciences.org/research/inverts/centipedes/index.html

It is sometimes said that, when cut in half, the two halves of a centipede will grow into two separate centipedes. Although this is sometimes true for certain worm species, it is not true for centipedes or millipedes (although the two halves may wiggle and move for quite a while!).

Answer 3

Get a drain screen from Walmart or other low cost places for less than a dollar. That helps to keep out all sorts of pest including roaches and spiders. If you still have problems put the plug in the tub and fill the bottom of the tub with an inch of water when not in use. The water weight will keep out pests.

It was most likely what we call a Texas Red Centipede that you saw. They are poisonous but not lethal (unless you have allergies) Most like a bee sting. Don't worry, they aren't usually normal visitors in homes...Unless you don't have a drain screen! :P

Answer 4

Class: Chilopoda

SIZE: Slightly over 1 inch (25.4mm)

COLOR: Reddish brown

DESCRIPTION: Centipedes are reddish-brown, flattened, elongated arthropods with one pair of legs attached on most of their body segments. The first pair of legs is modified into poisonous jaws located below the mouth to kill insects. Their antennae are longer than those of millipedes. Centipedes feed on live insects and other small animals. They do not damage plants.

HABITAT: Commonly encountered in damp basements in the fall.

LIFE CYCLE: They overwinter as adults and lay eggs during the warm months. Usually eggs are laid in the soil and are protected by adults. A few species give birth to living young.

TYPE OF DAMAGE: Nuisance in household and basement. They feed on small insects such as cockroaches, clothes moths and house flies; do not damage food supplies or household furnishings. If crushed, they may bite, causing some pain and swelling.

CONTROL: Controlling these pests should start with reducing the moisture and humidity in the basement, then using household sprays.

INTERESTING FACTS: Centipedes sometimes live up to six years.

Answer 5

The Centipede is harmless and not like roaches. Check if there is a leak around your bath tub, because they like damp areas. They are sort of a charming little bug with many many legs.

Answer 6

Fact. The centipede does not have 100 legs.

Answer 7

it wasn't a centipede if it was in the tub,it was a silver fish,they go were its damp.your local hardware store has small throw away traps,they wont hurt you

Answer 8

They have a lot of legs and prefer damp places. Some can be poisonous, but mostly stay away from people (self preservation, I presume)

Answer 9

looks like somene can