If spiders make you squeamish, centipedes take the ick factor to another level. Despite their name, centipedes don’t have 100 legs—but they might have upwards of 300 or as few as a couple of dozen.

Centipedes indoors are not a threat but beneficial predators controlling other pests. They enter homes seeking shelter, moisture, and food, following insect prey. Their bites are rare and mild, posing ...