What is that dreadful creature with many legs scurrying across the ground, floor or wall? This alarming creature is a centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes). After seeing this appalling creature, you may be flooded by many questions that you want answers too. Are centipedes poisonous in Hawaii? What do I do if I am bitten by a centipede? The answers from the Poison Control Center will surprise you.
Identifying the Centipede
The Scoloprndra Suspinipes has a dark green segmented body which is long and flat. This centipede has a brown head with antennas. Underneath the head the powerful venomous jaws hide. The centipedes scurry on 42 legs. The back two legs are more prominent due to their function for clasping prey. Mature centipedes can get up to 10 inches in length.
Are Centipedes Poisonous in Hawaii?
According to the Poison Control Center these centipedes are not toxic, although, they do leave a painful bite. Each case should be handled by an individual basis. These bites are known to effect people differently. It’s common for the bitten victim to feel excruciating pain for several hours. Some individuals experience minimal swelling while others will swell massively. People who experience massive swelling should seek medical attention. In addition, those that are experiencing high levels of pain are recommended to seek their doctors for pain management.
Centipede Behavior
Centipedes live alone and only attack people when they feel threatened. Their food source is of mostly small insects, spiders, earthworms, and other arthropods. Centipedes live alone and are most active at night. During the day they hide in wet dark areas, under fallen leaves, rocks, logs, soil crevices, and places of the like.
Why Centipedes Enter the Home
When the climate changes their habitat may change into something no longer desirable or livable. The most common reason is rain, heat or residential construction. If you live in a shady area that stays moist, you are going to have centipedes dwelling near by. If this shade is provided by trees, the fallen leaves are going to make a great hiding area for them. In Hawaii it’s common for people to take off their shoes prior to entering homes. Shoes left on the door step are an enticing spot for centipedes to hide.
Once the centipedes are in the home they are looking for a place to hide and are often found in clothing, beds and other dark crevices. They prefer dark humid areas such as bathrooms, basements, damp rooms or closets.
Centipede Management
Remove debris that the centipedes are attracted too. Keep leaves, sticks and other fallen debris maintained. Consider removing lawn tiles, blocks, and/or rocks. Keep garden hoses up off the ground. Seal up home entrances around doors and windows. There are also chemical treatments that can be done for further pest protection. You can treat areas yourself or hire pest control to disburse commercial grade chemicals for you.
Sources
American Association of Poison Control Centers
Knowledge Master
