SHP Forums

AndreaDraco wrote:Spiders are even worse than the green abomination!

I hate spiders. But even worse than spiders -- according to Maia -- are "house centipedes." I've seen the regular garden variety every so often in Canada (never Texas, however), but fortunately, I've never had to deal with a "house centipede." From Maia's description, they are the worst aspects of a centipede and a spider combined, plus they move exceptionally fast, can crawl on walls, and their legs break off.

DPX, we had those in Pennsylvania. They ARE pretty creepy and fast!

Jules wrote:DPX, we had those in Pennsylvania. They ARE pretty creepy and fast!

From what I can tell, house centipedes tend to like colder climates. I know they exist in Canada and as for the U.S., they're in states like Oregon, Washington (the state, not DC), Pennsylvania and New York.

It might also be that those states (and Canada) have harder soil, so basements can be made. House centipedes love basements, especially in older houses.

I think that might be the reason I've never seen a house centipede in Houston. The ground is too soft for basements. If any were made, they'd most likely flood.

We have also centipedes here in Italy...

... So many horrors in the world...

House Centipede? I can't say I have ever heard of such a beast...

Jules wrote: On a side note, we have these little plastic spiders and I place them all over the house. In the silverware drawer, on the coffee pot, one on the floor in the bathroom... One evening the in-laws came over for dinner. Patrick's mom opened the silverware drawer and almost scared her out of her underwear!

As if I didn't already love you enough... this almost killed me... I am dying laughing...

Jules wrote:DPX, we had those in Pennsylvania. They ARE pretty creepy and fast!

They just about run faster than I do!

Back to the topic of the thread, I'd say I'm most like Grace. I can be fairly sarcastic and my education is very similar to her Masters in Classics and History. Therefore, if I had to choose a character to BE, it would be her. Of course, I think the 20s are great and the entire detecting bit seems pretty fun, so Laura Bow would a close second.

On the topic of house centipedes (wanted to chime in with my personal experience), we have them here too. It's not always cold here, but our weather does fluctuate rapidly (I mean, it was about 60 degrees a few days ago and now we're down in the lower 40s since yesterday). I find them in my apartment from time to time and, while the critters are pretty harmless to my knowledge, they are rather startling sometimes since they move so quickly. I'm not sure how they get in, but I live on the third floor of my building (which is the top floor), so it's highly unlikely that they come in just from the ground. My dog and I are always on centipede watch (she likes to eat them; I know, it's disgusting).

Matt, centipedes are actually poisonous and have been known to bite people. Most of the time their bite does about the same damage as a bee sting. However, like bee stings, some people are quite allergic to centipede poison.

The person you play as on KIngs Quest.

DeadPoolX wrote:Matt, centipedes are actually poisonous and have been known to bite people. Most of the time their bite does about the same damage as a bee sting. However, like bee stings, some people are quite allergic to centipede poison.

I looked these guys up a while ago, and they aren't harmful to humans: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutigera

Wikipedia wrote:The bite of most house centipedes is incapable of penetrating human skin. Those that can, give an effect no worse than a minor bee sting.

They're helpful in a house in that they eat other pests (including spiders), and they're probably the reason I've never come across a spider here, but I still kill them whenever I see them. Killed one last night, in fact.

Matthias wrote:[...]I still kill them whenever I see them. Killed one last night, in fact.

Bravo, Matthias! Exterminating them is the only way to deal with those vile creatures!

Matthias wrote:They're helpful in a house in that they eat other pests (including spiders), and they're probably the reason I've never come across a spider here, but I still kill them whenever I see them. Killed one last night, in fact.

They are pretty cool from a scientific perspective. Apparently they can grab other insects with one set of legs while still doing things with their other legs. I believe it because they have so many long legs!

However, on a personal level, they make my skin try to crawl off my body. I have to hunt them down and eradicate them or I will get no sleep. I had one run on me when I was sleeping once and I still get goosebumps when I think about it.

Maiandra wrote:I had one run on me when I was sleeping once and I still get goosebumps when I think about it.

Poor Maia. I don't react well to such things when I am trying to sleep, either.

Collector wrote: Poor Maia. I don't react well to such things when I am trying to sleep, either.

I don't react well to such things. Period.