I Like the Atari Version Better!
Posted on August 18, 2008 - Filed Under Freaky
I want to know who in their right mind brought the eggs back from Jurassic Park that hatched these babies:
They sure LOOK prehistoric! This decidedly leggy creature is a House Centipede and it somehow made its way here from the Mediterranean. I did not bring it. This happened in 1890. So don’t blame me.
Annnnnyway, Toast found one in our living room the other day. We saw him watching something and then Jam getting all interested in whatever it was that went under the couch. Bugs don’t normally bother me but let me tell you, when I ever saw the thing, I freaked out. I have never seen one before. When it came out from under the couch, it was zooming all over the floor like you wouldn’t believe. It’s legs were so long it looked like it was floating, similar to a daddy long-legs spider, but waaaaay faster. Think of a miniature old-fashioned dust mop without the handle floating around your floor. With a face. Yikes.
TGH couldn’t believe I had never seen one before (he called it a hairy eyebrow, LOL). I guess they’ve been around the New England area since, well, 1890! But I think I would have remembered if I had seen one of those before. These “hairy eyebrows” are pretty interesting creatures once you’ve caught and eliminated one from your home and then looked them up on the internet. They have four pairs of legs when hatched but grow more with each molting, and they can grow up to 6-1/2 inches long. In Japan, they are sometimes sold as pets. I don’t mean to be disrespectful but yeah, those Japanese are funny people. 
I am not proud to admit that even though I am normally of the “pick it up on a napkin and put it outside” camp, this particular time I did lose all sense of decorum and I did scream “Kill it! Kill it!” as if it were going to attack and eat my pets or myself (yeah right - the thing was fast but believe me nobody was faster getting out of its way than ME, hmm - maybe a new Olympic event). Apparently these critters do bite but the normal reaction is similar to that of a mosquito bite. Regardless, this particular one who visited my living room will not be biting anyone any time soon. They are also apparently much more delicate than my trumped up freak-out session gave them credit for and they really don’t have the strength of Godzilla. Unfortunately my visitor was mortally wounded as TGH tried to catch him. I feel guilty for not feeling sadder over it, but I really could not have slept in the house with that speedy disembodied mustache roaming around! Have any of you seen these things?
UPDATE: I’ve included a link to the Atari game of Centipede for you young’uns who don’t know what I’m talking about.
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ewwwwwwwwwww
Now, I am going to have nightmares all night thanks Teeni!
**heh**
I have never seen one of those before. It looks like a mutated German roach. A crazy set of fake eye lashes also came to mind. I don’t feel the least bit sorry for its untimely demise.
I’da stomped that sucker in a heart beat. 
Ah - hahaha! A runaway false eyelash! Yes, definitely!
OK, add that along side of Barn Spiders as things that creep me out. I probably would have made a girlish screeching noise too. Any bug that is 6+ Inches needs to keep it’s distance and presence away from me.
Yikes! I just looked up barn spiders and those things get big too. I’m used to the small bugs we have here in New England. I always thought I was pretty cool with them. But I guess I never expected to see something so big and fast.
Um … EWWWW!! I would NOT like to find one of those in my house! You know what, I definitely would have stomped on that!
I don’t like to think I’m the type of person that would jump on a chair and screech when seeing a mouse like the women in the cartoons but that is almost exactly what my reaction was. I didn’t even want to stomp on it - it was so fast I didn’t want to take the chance of it crawling up my leg or something. Ewww. **shudders**
It’s usually only flying things and extremely large spiders that completely creep me out, but I’d probably have a heart attack if I had to go near one of those.
The speed of this thing is what really amazed me. I mean, if I had all those legs, you know I’d be tripping all over myself and couldn’t get out of my own way. This thing was moving with speed and grace.
I swear if I saw one in my house I would probably have to move thinking there were thousands in the walls just waiting to get me. 6 1/2 Inches? And the Japanese buy them as pets? If my son-in-law ever decides to get one I’m kicking him to the curb with my cane. I can deal with mostly any bug or reptile but that thing is horrid.
LOL. This cracked me up. But your son-in-law is only half Japanese, right? So maybe his other half would talk some sense into him. LOL.
It’s cute! Did you count the legs?
No way - I wasn’t going to get that close to it!
I went away for a long weekend with my family in (way) upstate NY a few years ago, and we were amazed at the bug life that we encountered. One night while pounding Captain Morgan and Ginger Ales out on our lawn chairs, something flew by my head slowly the size of a large bird. It settled on the door to my cabin and it looked like something from the Land of the Lost. Huge!
It remained there all night and it was still there in the morning when I woke up. I was fascinated by it. My brother in-law woke up in the cabin next to me and came over and immediately killed it. I was horrified. Thinking he had killed the last remaining specimen from some long lost paleolithic era.
Then we saw another that night. And another. And another. Then I started wondering if a nuclear power plant was near.
That is freaky. Did you ever find out what the thing was? Some kind of giant moth maybe? I hope it was a moth - those are pretty harmless. Yikes.
Yeah, I’m generally a “catch and release” type of bug person, I used to cry when I was little and my brother and sister would joyfully stamp on ants. Shoulda been a buddhist. But if I saw that thing? Wouldn’t think twice.
Me too, but yeah - this was an exception. I used to (still do) get upset when someone is unnecessarily cruel to living things. Which is why I was so surprised at my own reaction. I guess it’s true that you learn something new every day, even about yourself.
you wanna see disgusting.. look up cave crickets. We’ve been getting them this summer… the exterminator has already been called!
Yikes! Those aren’t too pretty either. They kind of look like a cross between a giant flea and a spider. -Eep!
Atari? Now there’s a blast from the past!
I prefer my bugs with fewer legs too. Jamjar and open window is my preferred means of disposal.
Maybe I am getting too skittish in my old age. I normally prefer the more humane method of removal myself. Oh, and I should have linked to the Atari game from here. Oh what the heck. I will anyway. It’s not too late.
It definitely wasn’t a moth. It had a body that had some weight to it and two sets of wings, kind of like a dragonfly, but not. It also had two huge antennae and some pretty long legs. I’ve never seen anything like it before or since. We should have taken a picture of it.
Oh yeah - I am all curious as to what it could have been now. See? I’m fine with being interested in them as long as they are not in my house or on me or too close, etc. LOL. It would have been neat to have a picture but odds of having a camera handy when you see something cool or unusual is still relatively low even in this day of high tech camera phones and stuff.
Oh, I am so glad that I have not met one of those things! ewwwwwwwwwwwwww! I am now on the look out…cause if they look like that up north, what will the Texas version look like???
Holy cow! Everything’s bigger in Texas, right? Well, the good news is you won’t run into THIS one.
Say, Natalie - I know I’ve been by your site before and seen you around a bit but it was a while ago and I have an awful memory. It’s good to see you again. I hope you are well and since this looks like a first comment from you, let me say “Welcome to the Vaguetarian Tea Room,” in case I haven’t welcomed you already. 
it is an invasive species, it was the right thing to do
Thanks! I suppose you are right but when I’m not being a silly goof, I’m a big softie, really.
Oh my god, I had those things in one of the first places I rented when I moved out on my own after college! I rented the first floor of a house and the basement was always damp and I guess those things like damp places, and they would get into my apartment. I would occasionally turn a light on at night (I think they are nocturnal) and see one on the wall, and twice I found one in my bathtub! I had such a fear of those things.
My advice to you though, is DO NOT SQUASH THEM! I learned this the hard way. If you squash it its legs will break off and they all just keep squirming. It is like a horror movie. Seriously, get some spray and/or smack them with something that won’t crush them. You don’t want to see that.
Wow - yeah, I don’t want to see that. Fortunately, TGH got this one so I don’t have to worry about it. We have been having a lot of rain here so I hope that doesn’t mean we are going to see more of them. I will remember what you said though. And I’m going to have a serious talking to with my cats. They need to know it is their jobs to make sure I don’t see things like that in my house!
Certain one’s freak me out too. Unless I know they perform a genuine function, I let M. take ‘em out.
Yeah, unless the function they perform is the dishes or laundry then I like to get them out too!
a talk with a cat now how the heck do you do that?
My cats listen to me and sometimes talk back. That doesn’t mean they always do as I ask though.
Oh my god that thing would terrify me… And it bites! I would never come down off the couch if I knew my house had one in it.
That’s exactly how I was feeling when I saw it!
Oh No- you said Atari and that’s vintage… and you know what happens when people start posting about vintage… I freak out- ask Dan!
I have a whole office of those critters- because I work in a basement, they are cool.
LOL. Wow - I didn’t even think of that but you are right - Atari is vintage. Sorry, Michelle - I didn’t mean to encroach on your territory! Don’t drown me!
And kudos to you for not freaking out over these critters. Just thinking about ONE of them gives me the creeps. I can’t imagine an office full. 
Are they edible? It looks crazee tastee.
I don’t know but I think all those little feet on the way down your throat might be a little tickly.
Hey Teeni, lost your email… I just got your package in the mail today. Wonderful! I am truly touched. It’s in the book I’m currently reading called “Love Must Be Tough”.
Thank you, I am grateful.
Fourleafclover
I’m glad you got the package! I hope it brought you some cheer. I couldn’t resist after you mentioned pooh characters on your blog.
I hope the book is giving you some comfort/help.
I would freak out too, but I am definitely a “Catch and Release” person.
Only thing is if it moved quickly, I would be screaming the whole time(LOLOL!)
FUNNY how the kitties alerted you that it was there..our Mimi would do that…great system!
LOL. Yes, and now if we could just teach the kitties how to herd those types of things right out of the house, that would be good.
Evyl Wants to eat one? IS he crazy???????
Yes, he is. But that is what we love about him.
Yes it is!!
I’ve seen them on occasion. I typically leave them be. They fall into the mostly harmless category.
They are actually beneficial. They feed on other critters that can cause (or make worse) damage to your home. The way to get rid of the house centipedes is to eliminate their food source!
They eat cockroaches, silverfish, bedbugs and other critters that you don’t want in your house! So, if you see a house centipede, you may have bigger problems than the centipede itself!
Check for leaks (leaking pipes under the bathroom cabinets, laundry room, kitchen sink, etc.) that may be created damp spots where things like silverfish may be making a room.
Check for areas where food may be going bad or where boxes or bags of food may have been compromised and are being consumed by cockroaches or other household pests.
Check for termite damage too.
The house centipede is your friend. He (or she) is eating those things that are doing damage to your home or, possibly, making your home a little less unsanitary.
So, if you see them around, you may have bigger problems than you think!
That’s a scary thought! I know cockroaches are kind of rare in my area but we have had lots of rain lately so things are damper and I wouldn’t be surprised about silverfish. Fortunately, after reading up on those, they don’t tend to be too harmful either so I’m not going to panic - but I will keep a better lookout as to what is going on in my basement and around the foundation during all this damp weather. Of course, if I see another one of these things in the near future, then all bets are off and I’m calling an exterminator.
My husband came up with our potential strategy for when (and if) we find one of those. We’re just leaving, and letting the bug have the house. I told him that maybe making triplets homeless wasn’t the smartest idea, and he told me that none of us would sleep if we knew that they were around.
Theoretically I’m completely appreciative of the work that the house centipede does, but I’m really not sure that I could deal with one (and I used to be the neighbourhood mouse catcher/animal euthanist).
I’m going down to the Caribbean for the first time in January, and I’m already dreading what I might find there
LOL. Oh, Jen - you cracked me up, letting the bug have the house! But yeah, I would rather you guys took control of your house back so your triplets wouldn’t be homeless. Oh, the Caribbean will be fantastic! The scenery and the weather will far outweigh any nasty little creatures you find in your travels. I hope you are planning on taking lots of pics for us!
gross!! I think I probably would have screamed kill it too!!!
I guess abject fear brought out the violence in me? I dunno. I’m not proud but it happened. LOL.
…they don’t tend to be too harmful…
Silverfish don’t tend to be harmful? They can damage books and other paper products, photos, fabrics including synthetic ones, and even leather goods. And they can even survive up to 12 months without food, so they are definitely hardy!
Let the house centipedes at ‘em!
Stop trying to terrify me, Dan! The one good thing though is that we’ve been here 8 years now and that is the first house centipede we’ve seen in the house. We will take a better look around from now on though.
LOL! Absolutely, kill it, kill it, kill it!!!! Is it dead yet? Shivers…
Annie
I just could not have slept if we hadn’t gotten rid of it, ya know? Talk about the creeps.
:: snort :: Furry eyebrow..
You know… that’s what Bobbert calls them too. It must be a family thing :: cracks up ::
I’ve seen them before.. I step on them.. and I go “urghhh grosssss” I have a feeling Scabbers would attempt to light it on fire.. he hAAAAAAtes spiders.. so I generally scope the house out for those before he gets home at night.
I freak out at bees.. everyone in the family has seen me do that though.. haha
Ewww - I don’t think I could step on one. Poor little gross thing. LOL. Oh, figures that Bobbert and TGH would both call them that. Can you tell they are brothers? LOL. Awww - I hope Scabbers doesn’t really do that - that’s kinda mean. And don’t worry - we will try to protect you from the bees. Are you going to go to the family get together that your grandmother threw together? I hope we will see you there!
I used to have these suckers crawling all over the place in my apartment in Boston back in ‘79.
You’d go into the bathroom to shave and they’d look up and say, “What the fuck are you looking at, buddy?”
Used to freak the hell out of Pamela (my girlfriend, turned wife)
Awesome pic, kiddo.
Gruesome story.
~m
So, did you move or did you get them to move? Oh and thanks about the pic - I wish I could take credit for that one but it was a public domain find.
I’ll disagree with Annie and say petrify it and make it a keychain.
~m
Ewwwww - that just gave me the creeps thinking of it as a keychain and going to fish it out of my purse! Yikes - I just know I’d just end up grabbing all those little legs and having them tickle me and end up dropping my keys down the sewer or something - Eeep!
This is my least favorite bug in the world. They are so fast and skittery and awful. My first encounter with one was in my college dorm room, and I swear the thing was five inches long. My roommate and I chased it all over the place, screeching every time it moved, with the business end of a broom. This came to be known as the incident of Das Boog, and even though I know now that they’re centipedes, I still looked at the picture in your blog and immediately thought “Das Boog!”
LOL - “Das Boog!” Love it! That’s a perfect name for this guy. I have a lot of least favorites when it comes to bugs. My very least favorite is one that is on me or trying to be on me, either for the purpose of stinging or for sheer curiosity.
Normally, I do prefer to live and let live except for when it comes to my kitchen. Then all bets are off and it is death to bugs. Anyway, welcome to the Vaguetarian Tea Room, Crisitunity. I will be over to visit your blog shortly. 