If you’ve ever seen a house centipede dart across your floor, your first instinct might be to squash it. With its long legs and rapid movement, it’s understandably unsettling. But before you reach for a shoe, consider this: killing a house centipede might not be the best move.

House centipedes (Scutigera coleoptrata) are harmless to humans and surprisingly helpful. Native to the Mediterranean but now common worldwide, they’ve adapted well to indoor life. More importantly, they’re natural pest controllers. Their diet includes cockroaches, spiders, termites, ants, and even bed bugs. By eliminating them, you’re also removing an effective predator from your home’s ecosystem.

They don’t harm people or pets, and their venom is only used to subdue prey. Bites are rare and usually no worse than a mosquito sting. Unlike chemical treatments, house centipedes offer eco-friendly, cost-effective pest control—no toxins, no traps, no bills.

If their presence bothers you, reduce moisture, seal cracks, and keep your home clean to discourage them. But if you see one, let it be. It’s quietly working to keep your home safer, cleaner, and free of far worse invaders.