Do you find yourself feeling disgusted and driven to get rid of any insects you find in your house? It makes perfect sense, particularly because some of them are very harmful and contain toxins that can cause stings that are excruciating or even lethal.
However, think about this before you squash that house centipede you discovered in your bathroom—they might be helping you out after all. Despite their unsettling appearance, centipedes are essential for preventing other little pests from entering your home.
These swiftly moving organisms have been secretly protecting your house against intruders like bedbugs, spiders, cockroaches, and silverfish. They are known to eat every arthropod they come across because they have such a voracious appetite. So why not be grateful and leave them alone instead of crushing them?
Now, I’m not saying that you should bring swarms of centipedes inside your house. However, it seems reasonable to spare the odd one or two you find as a sign of appreciation. Simply let them to go or gently take them outside so they can eat some leaves.
Another reason to reconsider your decision to smash every bug you come across is the possibility that doing so could unintentionally unleash hundreds of young spiders into your house. You don’t want to watch it, I assure you.
In all honesty, centipedes aren’t all that horrible. They’re basically harmless little creatures that can’t really hurt you, other than frightening you. Additionally, they don’t contaminate your house with pathogens like other insects do. They are the good people because of this!
Let’s now discuss the insects that you should actually be worried about. These insects are carriers of severe diseases that, if left untreated, might be fatal. The following are some of the worst insects that you really hope you never come across in your house:
- Bullet ants: These enormous ants are found in the rainforests of Paraguay and Nicaragua, and their bite feels like a gunshot.
- Botfly: While the fly itself poses no threat, its intracellular parasite larvae have the potential to cause infections and drastic alterations to skin tissue.
- Fleas: These blood-feeding insects can result in skin diseases in addition to causing skin irritation and itching.
- Fire ants: Despite being well-known for their excruciating stings, which leave white pustules on the skin, some persons may experience allergic reactions to fire ants.
- Kissing bugs: These insects are notorious for biting their victims’ lips and spreading the parasite trypanosome cruzi, which kills thousands of people every year.
- Giant Japanese Hornet: Growing up to 2 inches in size, these hornets are the largest of their species and are responsible for the deaths of roughly 40 people year with their potent sting.
- Tsetse fly: Native to Africa, these fly carry the sleeping sickness virus, which results in 500,000 fatalities there annually.
- Killer Bees: With their massive numbers and vicious attacks, these swarmingly aggressive bees can be lethal.
- Driver ants: These ants can kill several animals in a single raid because of their strong mandibles, which can administer excruciating bites.
- Mosquitoes: Possibly the deadliest animals on the planet, mosquitoes cause about a million deaths annually due to illnesses like encephalitis, malaria, yellow fever, and West Nile virus.
Remember this the next time you encounter a house centipede or any other unwelcome creature in your home: not all insects are bad. Some of them, like centipedes, are actually assisting in keeping other unwelcome visitors out of your house. Show them some appreciation and let them to continue their insect-controlling work rather than squashing them.
Just keep in mind to stay away from the very deadly insects and take the required safety measures to keep your property and yourself safe.
