House Centipedes in Southern Maine:
Identification, Prevention, and Control
House centipedes are a common sight throughout Southern Maine, especially in the damp basements and bathrooms of older homes in Biddeford and Saco. These fast-moving, many-legged creatures often appear suddenly on walls or floors while hunting smaller insects at night. If you see long-legged bugs scurrying across your bathroom floor or basement walls, get your free inspection today.
What Are House Centipedes?
House centipedes (Scutigera coleoptrata) are not true insects but arthropods with 15 pairs of long, banded legs that make them appear much larger than their 1- to 1.5-inch body. They have a yellowish-gray body with three dark longitudinal stripes, very long antennae, and two long rear legs that resemble tails. They are extremely fast runners and beneficial predators that eat silverfish, spiders, cockroaches, and other small household pests.
They prefer cool, damp, dark areas and enter homes in large numbers during fall and spring seeking moisture and shelter. They do not breed indoors in significant numbers and cause no structural damage. In Southern Maine they are most active at night in older homes with damp basements or crawl spaces. House centipedes are one of several occasional invaders found in Southern Maine homes, particularly in damp basements and crawl spaces.
For detailed local information see the Maine DACF Got Pests factsheet on millipedes and centipedes.
Signs of Infestation
These clues usually appear first in damp basements, bathrooms, crawl spaces, or along baseboards.
- Fast-moving, long-legged creatures scurrying across floors or up walls at night
- Sightings in bathtubs, sinks, or showers where they become trapped
- Multiple individuals appearing suddenly in the same damp area
- Small dark droppings or stains near baseboards or in corners
- Presence of prey insects such as silverfish or spiders in the same areas
- Long legs and antennae giving the appearance of a much larger bug
- Activity increasing in fall and spring as they seek moisture
- Occasional daytime sightings in very damp or cluttered spaces
In Lyman and Hollis homes these signs often increase in spring and fall when damp conditions draw them indoors.
Risks in Southern Maine
In our humid coastal climate house centipedes thrive in damp basements and crawl spaces of older homes, where they can become a startling nuisance when they appear suddenly on walls or in bathrooms. They cause no structural damage and do not breed indoors in large numbers, but their speed and many legs can be alarming.
While they can occasionally bite if handled, the bite is harmless and they do not transmit disease. My low-impact approach follows best practices from the Penn State Extension – House Centipedes and focuses on safe, targeted solutions for local conditions. Homeowners sometimes confuse them with millipedes, and house centipedes are often found in the same damp areas as silverfish — another common occasional invader in older Maine homes.
Prevention Tips
Simple exclusion and moisture control steps protect your home in Southern Maine.
- Reduce humidity with dehumidifiers in basements and crawl spaces
- Seal cracks around windows, doors, foundations, and pipes with caulk
- Install or repair tight-fitting screens on windows and doors
- Fix leaking pipes and improve drainage around the foundation
- Clear clutter, leaf litter, and debris from around the house
- Vacuum regularly in damp areas to remove prey insects
- Inspect and seal gaps in soffits, vents, and crawl space access
- Keep basements and bathrooms well-ventilated and dry
These steps prove especially effective in Standish and Buxton homes with damp basements and older foundations.
Professional Treatment
When prevention is not enough I provide targeted, low-impact control. I locate active entry points and harborage areas in basements, crawl spaces, and bathrooms. Treatments are customized for each property. A single family home in Biddeford may need different focus than a business in Saco. I handle the entire process myself from start to finish.
Learn more about my background and methods on the About page. Contact me today to schedule your free inspection on the Contact page. For help with house centipedes and other occasional invaders throughout your home, take a look at my common pests service.
Frequently Asked Questions
They enter through tiny cracks around foundations, windows, doors, and pipes, especially in damp areas.
They can occasionally bite if handled, but the bite is harmless and they do not breed indoors in large numbers.
Reducing moisture and prey insects usually causes them to leave, but exclusion prevents recurring problems.
Related Resources
- Find detailed information from the Maine DACF Got Pests factsheet on millipedes and centipedes
- Read comprehensive management tips from the Penn State Extension – House Centipedes
Why Choose Precision Pest Control?
Your local solo specialist, I offer customized, low-impact pest control fitted to Southern Maine challenges for homes and businesses. Protect your property today. Reach out for your free inspection.