No one exactly takes pleasure in seeing creepy creatures slithering around their home, and centipedes are no different. No one has ever called it their favorite "pet."

While they might not be as scary as some other crawling creatures, most people find them an unpleasant sight. But it would be best if you weren't so quick to eliminate them when you see them in your home. They can benefit you and your home.

They kill unwelcome pests. Yes, you read that right.

The centipede kills unwelcome pests, from roaches to flies, moths, termites, and silverfish.

With 15 pairs of legs and the ability to travel 1.3 feet per second, this creature uses the two legs closest to its head, which carry venom, as its weapon. Then, it wraps its other legs around its prey. This is called a "lassoing" technique.

They jump on their prey, attack it with their venomous legs, and wrap the other legs around it to "claim" it.

Centipedes are active hunters who are constantly looking for their next prey. These killing bugs do work you should be paying for, for free. The only issue is that they can be pests themselves and are an unpleasant sight. But you have to choose your poison.

Centipedes hunt at night, so they are not much of a disturbance. They do not damage your properties or eat your food, nor are they carrying or transmitting fatal diseases.

They want to do their work as exterminators at no charge. They are also neat; they do not leave webs behind like spiders, small poos like wall geckos and rats, nor do they leave nests.

They can only possibly harm you when you try to stomp on them with your bare feet. The sting can be as bad as a bee sting. Not that we can blame them, it's their defense mechanism.

To treat such a sting, clean the surface of the bite and apply antiseptic. Place a pack of ice on it to reduce any swelling.

If their merit is not enough reason to keep them around, here are two ways to get rid of them from your home:

Do Away With Moisture

Centipedes love moist spaces and are often found around bathrooms and sinks. So, the first thing to do is find any place in your home prone to extra moisture and fix it by getting a humidifier and fans installed.

Anything causing moisture to leak into the walls should be discarded. Check for and repair leaking sinks and air out your basement. Any shower or sink drain leaving puddles will attract centipedes, so try to fix them.

Seal Cracks And Openings

Any opening around doors and windowsills gives centipedes easy entry. Check for holes where pipes and electric lines enter your home, and seal them.

Sealing all holes or cracks will not only save you and your home from centipedes but will do so for other pests that serve as food for them.

If they don't find their prey in your home, they will have no choice but to leave.

Keeping a clean home is also essential. Some people abandon their basements. You should check that space for any nests or cockroaches. Dryer vents should also be properly sealed, so pests don't gain entry from there.

You can also set up sticky traps, use cedarwood sprays, or even sprinkle baking soda around heavily affected places. If DIYs don't work for you, do not hesitate to call pest control.

Before exploring the option of a professional exterminator, you can try investing in diatomaceous earth. It is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that can be crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder, capable of killing different indoor pests.

All you have to do is sprinkle it around doors, cracks, and damp areas, then wait 24 hours before vacuuming it off. It is "generally recognized as safe" for humans by the Food and Drug Administration.

If this still doesn't work, go for professional exterminators.