Description:
Centipedes are sometimes called "hundred-leggers" because of their many pairs of legs, but they can actually have anywhere from 15-177 pairs of legs, depending on the species. Interestingly, centipedes always have an odd number of pairs of legs.
Appearance:
They are yellowish to dark brown, sometimes with darker stripes or markings. They are elongated, flattened and look like worms. Their size is 1/8 – 6” (4-152 mm) and they have 15 - 177 pairs of legs.
Lifecycle:
They place eggs in dampened soil during summer or spring. As centipedes become adults, they grow a complete set of legs and extra segments. Most centipedes live for more than a year and some up to six years.
Habits:
They are typically found in areas of high moisture, such as in rotting logs, under stones, in trash or piles of leaves/grass. When they invade homes, centipedes are most commonly found in damp basements, crawlspaces, bathrooms, or potted plants.