Do you ever feel the urge to grab something and squash an insect when you see it in your home? It’s a natural reaction, especially when some insects can be dangerous or carry harmful poisons. The creepy ones with many legs can be particularly unsettling. But after reading this, you might think twice before killing those ominous-looking centipedes the next time you find them in your house.
Centipedes may startle you and make you want to squash them, but it turns out they are actually helping you. There is a special kind of centipede that can be shorter than others and has around 20 legs. These little creatures act as invisible pest control, keeping cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, bedbugs, and ants out of your home. They have a ravenous appetite and devour almost every arthropod they find around the house.
Now, this doesn’t mean you should let them enter your home in massive numbers. It simply means that when you come across one or two centipedes, you should let them be as a gesture of gratitude for their pest control services. Instead of squashing them, you can gently release them outside to enjoy a feast of leaves.
Spiders are another insect that you should refrain from squashing. By doing so, you avoid the risk of releasing hundreds of tiny baby spiders into your home. Plus, centipedes themselves are not dangerous. They are frail creatures that are not powerful enough to cause any significant harm, apart from scaring you a bit. Unlike other insects, they don’t spread germs around the house.
In fact, there are other insects that you should be more concerned about. Some insects can cause dreadful diseases that are extremely harmful and can even result in death without proper medical care. Here are a few deadly insects you should hope to never encounter indoors:
- Bullet Ants: These ants can make you feel like you’ve been shot when they bite you. They are one of the largest ant species and are commonly found in the Paraguayan and Nicaraguan jungles.
- Botflies: The larvae of botflies are inside parasites that can infect both animals and humans. They lay their eggs under the skin, and as the larvae develop, they burrow deeper, causing significant changes in the skin’s tissue.
- Fleas: Flea bites can be itchy, irritating, and sometimes lead to skin infections because they feed on blood.
- Fire Ants: These notorious stingers can repeatedly sting an intruder, causing painful white pustules that may last for weeks. Certain species of ants release venom that can trigger allergic reactions in some people.
There are more deadly insects out there, such as kissing bugs, giant Japanese hornets, tsetse flies, killer bees, driver ants, and mosquitoes. Mosquitoes, in particular, are known to be the deadliest insects on earth, causing millions of fatalities each year due to diseases they transmit.
So, the next time you come across a house centipede, consider letting it go on its own or gently releasing it outside. Remember, they have been silently protecting your home from other unwanted creepy crawlies. And when it comes to other insects, it’s always better to be cautious and avoid squashing them unless absolutely necessary. Let’s coexist peacefully with the insects in our environment.
Always prioritize your safety when encountering any unknown insects. If you have concerns or suspect an insect might be harmful, it’s best to consult an expert or professional pest control service.
