Centipede

Centipedes are sometimes called "hundred-leggers" because of their many pairs of legs.  Even though centipedes are predaceous and therefore beneficial, most customers consider them a nuisance pest.  Some species can inflict a painful bite, but it is not lethal

Adults are about 1/8" long elongated, flattened and wormlike.  They are usually yellowish to dark brown, sometimes with darker stripes or markings. 1 pair of antennae, 14-50 segmented.

Centipedes typically overwinter in protected situations and lay their eggs, usually in or on the soil, during the summer.  Females may produce as many as 35 eggs over a period of days.  All centipedes have poison jaws with which they inject venom to kill their prey.  If handled roughly they may inflict a very painful bite.

Centipedes are typically found in areas of high moisture such as loose bark, in rotting logs, under stones, trash, piles of leaves and grass clippings, flower-bed mulch, etc..  Most centipedes are nocturnal or active at night.

Centipedes occasionally invade structures, where they can survive on flies, spiders, etc.  Although they may be found anywhere in the home, the usual places are damp basements, bathrooms, damp closets, and potted plants.  Some species may feed on plant tissues causing injury to the plant.

(Insect Information excerpted from the NPCA Field Guide to Structural Pests)