Do centipedes bite?

Centipedes can bite humans. In small centipedes, the jaws are usually too weak to break human skin. However, the bite of a large centipede is painful and can cause symptoms in people who are allergic to its venom.

Centipedes aren't insects but are related to spiders. Like spiders, they're beneficial because they prey on insects that might spread disease, like cockroaches. They can also eat insects that damage plant life.

Homeowners prefer not to have centipedes in their homes because of their alarming appearance. A house centipede can grow to over an inch long. It doesn't have 100 legs as its name suggests; it has 30 legs and long antennae.