Out of the corner of my eye (a very well-trained one, from years in the tropics, although admittedly rheumy now -- but still quick!) I observed the above little fucker scuttling across my living room floor this evening. MY LIVING ROOM FLOOR!
Have you ever seen these little fuckers before? My skin crawled as I performed my dutiful "husband-therefore-bug-catcher" and caught the evil bastard, almost two inches long, in the old cup 'n' cardboard trick.
Can you imagine that horror crawling over your face in the middle of the night?
The picture is from a quick search of "Quebec centipedes" but I'd be happy if you could PUT A SHINE on what the little fucker is so I can nuke future Its out of existence.
Much obliged in advance.
That's the common house centipede. I used to see a lot of them in the various apartments I lived in on the Plateau. Haven't seen them in other parts of town (not to say they aren\t there).
ReplyDeleteThey are FAST and apparently can give a nasty bite if you let them. Otherwise harmless, although they're scary as shit when you see them.
I lived in a ground floor apartment on Hotel de Ville for four years, in which I saw maybe two of these the whole time I was there. But I'd see them outside, at night, zipping along the sidewalk looking for an open door. One summer night I was on my front stoop and I saw one running towards the open door and I managed to stomp it just in time. Always left the door closed after that.
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutigera_coleoptrata
ReplyDeleteFWIW, I've only ever seen them on the floor, usually in the corner or under the baseboards. Unless you sleep on the floor (futon my ASS!) I think you're pretty safe.
I've seen many a bug in my life. But this was hands-down the most disgusting. It wasn't moving fast when I first saw it, but as soon as I clamped that glass bowl on it, man, did it start moving.
ReplyDeleteI won't stomp on something like that because of its size and also the mess it would leave on my shoe and the floor, and there's no way Brigitte would clean THAT up. No, it's off the balcony it went. Hopefully it splattered on the pavement 8 floors below or went into my downstairs neighbour's house, he who cut the beautiful vines at the level of my balcony. Where it will multiply and torment. But stay downstairs.
But all I can say is a huge EWWWWW.
Oh calm yourself you big fraidy-cat! You should have saved it for my hens!! Nummy! ;)
ReplyDeleteI doubt it went splat. With all those legs, it probably floated down to your neighbour's place like it had its own built-in parachute.
Wow, he was big and ugly! Glad everyone is safe! : )
ReplyDeleteKnattie,
ReplyDeleteWell, you live in the countryside -- no doubt billions of pesky critters of all kinds. But some are creepier than others, and this one completely creeped me out. Not fuzzy, like a caterpickle (that's what my son called them). Nasty, spiky, ugly, fast and BIG. Any bug bigger than an inch long creeps me the hell out.
And you're right, it probably fell like a feather to the balcony below (I read somewhere that centipedes can fall great distances with no harm) and is probably even now crawling up the outside of the building trying to get in again.
Tell you what, if it DOES get in again, I'll hunt your phone number down and fly you out here on Porter Air (free beer and wine) and YOU can dispose of it.
:)