Do you feel the urge to grab something and stomp on insects when you see them around your home? It’s a natural reaction, especially when some insects can be dangerous and carry nasty poisons. The creepy crawlies with many legs are the worst, making us want to suffocate them as soon as possible.
But what if we told you that some insects in your home are actually helpful? Yes, those squirmy, swiftly moving organisms called centipedes have been silently protecting your house from other tiny insects. These special centipedes have about 20 legs and have served as your home’s invisible pest control, keeping cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, bedbugs, and ants out of your home. They have a ravenous appetite and almost devour every arthropod they come across.
Now that you know this, you might want to reconsider killing those ominous-looking centipedes next time you encounter them in your home. Instead, let’s show them some gratitude for their hard work.
Of course, we don’t want centipedes to overrun our homes. But sparing the one or two you may come across as a gesture of thanks wouldn’t hurt. They might make a little noise when discovered, which can be repulsive to young children or even adults. But instead of squashing them, why not let them go on their own or gently guide them outside?
Not only will this prevent you from squashing spiders and releasing hundreds of baby spiders into your home, but it will also help you see centipedes in a different light. They may look scary, but they are actually harmless creatures with frail bodies. Unlike other insects, they don’t transmit germs around the house.
In fact, when you compare them to other deadly insects, centipedes are quite tame. Take bullet ants, for example. Their bites make you feel like you’ve been shot. Fleas can cause itching and skin infections. Fire ants sting multiple times, leaving painful pustules. Killer bees attack violently and in overwhelming numbers. These insects can cause dreadful illnesses and even result in death.
So the next time you see a centipede in your home, try to resist the urge to squash it. Instead, remember how helpful they have been in keeping your home free from other pests. Let’s show them a little appreciation and let them continue their good work. After all, in a world full of dangerous insects, having some harmless helpers around is a good thing.
Stay kind to your beneficial centipedes!
