Do you feel the urge to grab something and stomp on insects when you see them around your home? It’s a natural reaction, especially considering that some insects can be harmful and carry toxins. But what about those creepy centipedes with multiple legs that make your skin crawl? After reading this, you might think twice before killing them the next time you see one in your toilet.

When you spot centipedes moving around your house, the immediate instinct is to squash them. They can be quite shocking creatures. However, once you learn about the benefits they provide, you might want to show them a little gratitude instead of eliminating them.

Believe it or not, those squirmy organisms have been silently protecting your home from other pesky bugs. There is a unique type of centipede that is shorter than others and has around 20 legs wrapped around its body. These little creatures act as invisible pest control, keeping cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, bedbugs, and ants away from your home. Thanks to their voracious appetite, they devour almost every arthropod they find.

Now, this doesn’t mean you should welcome centipedes in large numbers into your home. It simply means that instead of squashing the one or two you come across, you should consider letting them go, as a gesture of appreciation.

When you discover centipedes, they might make some noise, especially if they repulse you or your family members. But instead of squashing them, try letting them go on their own or gently escorting them outside to feast on some leaves.

Avoid squashing spiders and risking the release of hundreds of baby spiders into your home. Refrain from squashing every bug you encounter, as you don’t want to witness the consequences.

To put your mind at ease, centipedes are not as nasty as they may seem. They are delicate creatures that are not powerful enough to cause significant harm, other than giving you a fright. Unlike other insects, they don’t transmit germs around the house.

So, don’t let centipedes scare you. They are essentially harmless. However, the same can’t be said for a few other insects. There are some deadly insects that you should hope to never encounter indoors.

• Bullet Ants: These ants make you feel like you’ve been shot when bitten. They are one of the largest ant species and are commonly found in jungles in Paraguay and Nicaragua.
• Botfly Larvae: Although not the actual botfly, its larvae are a problem. They lay eggs under the skin, creating infections and causing significant changes in the skin’s tissue. Some people claim to feel the larvae crawling under their skin.
• Fleas: Flea bites can itch, irritate, and sometimes cause skin infections.
• Fire Ants: These well-known stingers can repeatedly sting and cause painful white pustules on the skin. Certain species release venom that can trigger allergic reactions in some people.

• Kissing Bugs: These bugs are known for transmitting the trypanosome cruzi parasite, which can cause up to 12,000 fatalities annually.
• Giant Japanese Hornets: These hornets are the largest of their kind, reaching up to 2 inches in length and delivering a lethal sting that claims roughly 40 lives each year.
• Tsetse Flies: The bites of tsetse flies can cause sleeping sickness, leading to approximately 500,000 deaths on the African continent.
• Killer Bees: These bees are aggressive and attack in overwhelming numbers, frequently resulting in fatalities due to their sheer volume.
• Driver Ants: With their strong mandibles, these ants attack with great force. They can dispatch multiple animals in a single raid and have a tendency to bite people.
• Mosquitoes: Considered the deadliest insects on Earth, mosquitoes are responsible for up to 1 million deaths each year due to diseases like encephalitis, West Nile virus, malaria, and yellow fever.

While centipedes might not be your favorite houseguests, they are beneficial in controlling other harmful insects. So, the next time you come across a centipede, consider letting it go as a small token of appreciation for its pest control services.