Here's why you shouldn't kill house centipedes, even if you're afraid of them (1 photo)

The centipede is one of the most underrated pest control heroes that we usually greet in our homes with loud cries rather than words of gratitude. Her scary appearance is deceiving. But in fact, this arthropod creature is a very useful predator that preys on cockroaches and termites - more dangerous creatures.

We most often encounter centipedes in damp basements and bathrooms. Some can live indoors all their lives, while others are outdoors in the summer, hunting for larvae and spiders, and with the onset of cold weather they move inside.

Although these predators are called centipedes, they only have 30 legs. The two front paws in the form of fangs with poison are used to hunt insects. But don't worry, these fangs are too weak to pierce human skin. The remaining legs allow them to move at top speed and catch their victims using a tactic called a lasso, in which the centipede ties up its prey with a mass of long legs. It is also quite an amazing sight that when centipedes themselves face threats, they can amputate their own legs to distract predators.

The centipede size is 2–5 cm, and the average lifespan is from 3 to 7 years. They are yellowish-gray in color with dark stripes that run along the body.

Thanks to its good appetite, just one centipede can destroy an astonishing number of harmful insects. Its diet includes spiders, ants, bedbugs and cockroaches. So, the next time you see this arthropod creature in your home, do not rush to get rid of it.