{"id":6020,"date":"2025-08-28T10:32:03","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T16:32:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insightpest.com\/?p=6020"},"modified":"2025-08-28T10:32:03","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T16:32:03","slug":"basement-centipede-or-something-else-how-to-identify-bugs-with-lots-of-legs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/insightpest.com\/basement-centipede-or-something-else-how-to-identify-bugs-with-lots-of-legs\/","title":{"rendered":"Basement Centipede or Something Else? How to Identify Bugs With Lots of Legs"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve ever flipped on a light in your basement only to see a long, frantic blur of legs scurry across the floor, you\u2019re not alone. Many homeowners are surprised to find basement bugs with lots of legs hiding in dark corners, under storage boxes, or along the walls. In most cases, the mysterious critter you just saw is a<\/span> basement centipede<\/span><\/a>: A common indoor insect that thrives in cool, damp spaces.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this guide, we\u2019ll help you identify the basement centipede insect, which is distinguished by its long legs and the three dark stripes running along the top of its flattened body. We\u2019ll also explain why they end up inside, how they differ from other centipedes, and share a few simple ways to keep them out of your home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Is a Basement Centipede?<\/span><\/h3>\n

A basement centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata), also known as a house centipede, can be identified by its narrow, segmented body and, of course, its many legs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite their name, centipedes don\u2019t actually have 100 legs. Most species found inside homes have 15 pairs of legs that spread out like a fringe from both sides of the body. Interestingly, centipedes always have an odd number of leg pairs, with each body segment bearing a single pair.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In their developmental stages, larvae hatch with four pairs of legs and gain additional pairs as they molt, eventually becoming adult centipedes with 15 pairs of legs. They move quickly and are usually a yellowish-gray color with darker bands or stripes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Homeowners sometimes confuse centipedes with millipedes or even spiders, since all three can show up in basements. The easiest way to tell a basement centipede insect apart is by its speed and extremely long, delicate legs. Millipedes are slower and have shorter legs, and spiders have only eight legs total.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Signs of a Basement Centipede Infestation<\/span><\/h3>\n

Spotting a single house centipede in your basement might not mean you have a full-blown centipede infestation, but there are several signs that can indicate these \u201chundred leggers\u201d have made themselves at home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The most obvious clue is seeing adult centipedes crawling along your basement walls, floors, or ceilings, especially at night, since<\/span> house centipedes are nocturnal<\/span><\/a> and prefer to hunt in the dark. Another telltale sign of a centipede infestation is an uptick in other pests, such as cockroaches, silverfish, spiders, and small insects. House centipedes feed on these other insects, so if you notice more of these pests in your basement, it could mean house centipedes are nearby. House centipedes live in damp, hidden areas like crawl spaces, under rocks, in potted plants, and among basement clutter, so pay close attention to these spots.<\/span><\/p>\n

You might also come across evidence of breeding, such as eggs or larvae. House centipede eggs are often laid in soil, under logs, or beneath rocks, especially during the summer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you suspect a centipede infestation, it\u2019s important to act quickly. Check for cracks and crevices in your basement where centipedes might be hiding or entering, and keep an eye out for clusters of eggs or shed skins.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Why Basement Centipedes Live Indoors<\/span><\/h3>\n

Basements offer the perfect conditions for house centipedes to thrive. They prefer spaces that are:<\/span><\/p>\n