this post was submitted on 07 Feb 2026
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[–] platypode@sh.itjust.works 48 points 2 days ago (7 children)

House centipedes are actually friends! They don’t eat your food, clothes, or house, nor spread disease, but they do eat all the little bugs that do those things.

[–] ickplant@lemmy.world 18 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I totally believe you!

I do my best not to kill spiders and other friends. I only do it if I cannot transport them to a safer place for some reason or if it’s pure instinct (as in, I saw it unexpectedly and swatted at it without thinking).

Having said that, I totally get that some people have intense fear of these creatures. In this case, cat to the rescue!

[–] RebekahWSD@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago

Insects terrify the absolute sanity outta me. Then I feel bad about having killed a usually beneficial bug.

Except the spotted lanternflies. Screw them.

[–] Echolynx@lemmy.zip 9 points 2 days ago (2 children)

They unfortunately look disgusting as hell though, triggers my disgust response like roaches do.

[–] faythofdragons@slrpnk.net 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

They're just feral false eyelashes

What a terrible day to be able to read and have a good imagination.

[–] StarvingMartist@sh.itjust.works 11 points 2 days ago

That's fantastic, fuck if I ever live near a place where "HOUSE CENTIPEDES" are a thing though

[–] other_cat@piefed.zip 5 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Do they bite?

EDIT: Not sure why I didn't just look it up. From wikipedia. Sting-attempts are therefore rare unless the centipede is cornered or aggressively handled. Its small forcipules have difficulty penetrating skin, and even successful stings produce only mild, localized pain and swelling, similar to a bee-sting. Allergic reactions to centipede-stings have been reported, but these are rare; most stings heal quickly and without complication.

[–] lena@gregtech.eu 5 points 2 days ago

I can't even come close to a centipede without freaking out

[–] VinnyDaCat@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Adding this to the list of insects to scoop up on a sheet of paper and put outside. Assuming I ever see one inside.

[–] dingus@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago

Good luck scooping up a motherfucking house centipede. They move at like five billion miles per hour.

[–] prettybunnys@piefed.social 2 points 2 days ago

By that same chain tho … the cat is actually a friend!