When you spot an insect in your home, your first instinct might be to squash it, especially with creepy creatures like centipedes. However, these swift little critters are actually beneficial to your home. Centipedes help control pests like cockroaches, ants, spiders, and silverfish by eating them.

Rather than killing them, consider letting them be or gently moving them outside as a way to appreciate their role in natural pest control.Centipedes aren’t harmful to humans and don’t spread germs like other insects, making them “good guys” in your home. While they may startle you, they’re harmless and unlikely to cause any serious damage.In contrast, there are many dangerous insects to watch out for. Species like bullet ants, fire ants, botflies, and tsetse flies can cause serious harm, from painful stings to deadly diseases like sleeping sickness and malaria. Mosquitoes, for example, are the deadliest insects, responsible for up to 1 million deaths annually. Be cautious of these dangerous pests while recognizing the value of harmless creatures like centipedes.