Question: I keep seeing these bugs in my bathroom, particularly around my
sink. They have a lot of legs, are long, and more pretty fast. Can you
tell me what kind of bug I could be seeing, and possibly how to take care
of the problem?
ANSWER Probably what you have seen is a house centipede. They can vary in size and color (from light brown to pale brown) depending on their age and the region of the country. Their long and many legs, and their rapid movements can be a little scary and threatening, but they are relatively harmless to humans. They are predators of insects and spiders.
The house centipede is usually found around the foundation of houses and other buildings. They prefer to rest in secluded places during the day, and this may include ivy growing on the side of the house or in thick, loose mulch against the side of the house. From these sites the centipedes may enter ground level rooms. They may use door thresholds or gaps in the foundation. They do not come through drains (myth).
There are no nests of centipedes; they are independent hunters and do not gather together in one place. The young forage for themselves; they are smaller than the adults and about the same coloration (and speed).
Outside, look for opeinings that insects could use to get inside. Trim the grass against the foundation. Make sure doors fit tightly and have proper weatherstrip. Check to be sure that basement windows and crawlspace vents have screens. An inssecticide application on the foundation (where foundation meets the ground) can help keep insects and centipedes out.
Indoors you can try spraying an aerosol insecticide (any of the 'crawling insect' sprays will do) behind baseboards where you have seen them. Many people use sticky traps (such as those for cockroaches) in the area. Make sure children and pets cannot reach the traps.
