The antennae and the pair of legs on the last segment are twice the body length. House centipedes are gray, with legs ringed by dark and light bands. They are very quick and occasionally are mistaken for long-legged spiders. Despite their alarming appearance, they are beneficial because they eat spiders and household insect pests. House centipedes usually are found in damp basements and other moist indoor areas.
Sanitation is the first step in combatting infestations.
Remove vegetation and other organic matter such as rotting wood or clippings from the soil surface in a yard-wide strip around the foundation. This barrier will help prevent sowbugs, pillbugs, millipedes and centipedes from entering the home. A program of continued sanitation close to the building, such as cleaning up or removing piles of rocks, boards, leaves, compost, and general refuse, will help to control these pests. Make the basement, foundation and first floor entrances as tight as possible. Use caulking compound to fill cracks around doors, basement windows and other openings.