360 HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 



will vary in its seriousness, according to the susceptibility 

 of the person bitten. Some people will suffer much more 

 than others, just as in the case of bee stings. It is doubtful 

 if this centipede will deliberately attack a human being. 

 When stepped upon or cornered in a bed, it may bite in 

 self-defense. The writer, during his many years' residence 

 in the South, never knew of a person's being bitten. 



So far as the writer is aware, almost nothing is known of 

 its life history. Half-grown specimens are sometimes 

 found in the summer and a very .young specimen found 

 by H. G. Hubbard beneath a moist piece of log differed 

 from mature forms chiefly in the possession of fewer legs. 

 Where its eggs are laid, how they look, and how long the 

 young take to become adults are questions unanswered as 

 yet. 



Methods of control. It is unfortunate that there is 

 so strong a repugnance toward this animal. Its appear- 

 ance is wholly against it, for it is undoubtedly of con- 

 siderable benefit in a house from its habits of catching 

 and killing insect pests. 



If one desires to get rid of the centipedes, every one of 

 them seen should be killed. All possible objects that 

 afford protection or hiding places for them in moist rooms 

 should be removed. A liberal use of fresh buhach powder 

 about their haunts will usually be fairly effective. 



SCORPIONS 



In the Southwest, especially in Texas, New Mexico, 

 Arizona, and also in Southern California, scorpions are 

 often found in outhouses, barns, and dwellings. They 

 are frequent among boxes and lumber piled up in storage 



