Maine’s Wet Weather Sends These Creepy Bugs Inside – Don’t Squish Them

After screaming, I did NOT kill this freaky bug.

Trust me, I get it. I am as guilty as the rest of you. I see this thing and the ONLY thing I want to do is squash it! I know they are creepy and oogy, but don't kill them. I found this little fella in my bathroom sink, scooped him up in a custard cup, and took him outside!

Why? Why can't I kill this frightening bug in my Maine home?

These are the good guys in the insect world! In fact, the house centipede (Scutigera Coleoptrata) eats the things that should freak you out even more, like:

• Cockroaches
• Silverfish
• Termites

After reading more about these little cuties (I'm trying to like them), they seem awesome. First of all, they are Mediterranean. Hey, so am I!  Plus, they are nocturnal and live in dirt and wet. Now you know why you are seeing so many this year. Maine has had some seriously wet weather over the last couple of years. They love a good humid basement or your bathroom. Some can live inside their whole lives, while others are outside during the growing season. They eat the bad bugs outside, like:

• Grubs
• Cutworms
• Spiders

According to Rodale's Organic Life, these horrifying bugs can eat a ton! High metabolism lets them eat a bunch of those bad bugs. I won't get into how they kill their prey, as it's only going to make you more scared of them. But they can't hurt humans. Our skin is too tough, and we probably taste bad.

I saw one scurry across the dining room rug the other day, and it instantly gave me the willies, but I didn't kill it. I thought about it, but let it go. I just prayed it wouldn't end up in my bedroom, where I'm sorry...it would be toast.

Experts say that if you DO find these centipedes in your house, that means there are possibly cracks around your foundation and windows.