Heaven S(c)ent...i... pede?

[pyat]

Twice in the last four days I have come upon an enormous House Centipede, while performing late-night ablutions in the bathroom. They are among the largest specimens I’ve ever seen, larger even than ones I find in the sticky traps in the basement.

I presume the extremely damp summer has given them time to ripen.

I examined the remains of the one I killed last night. While the main body of the beast was “only” as long as my thumb (say, 15mm), it featured some extremely elongated tendrils fore and aft; appendages which were just a few millimeters shy of the length of my outstretched forefinger. Thus, the full length of the creature, superstructure included, was something approaching 60 mm, or about three inches. That is more that large enough for any terrestrial animal which does not bear fur or feathers. It falls into the category of “1/2 HD Monster” in my personal books.

So, in the assumption that these horrid beasties are coming up from the basement, I plan to erect a Stage One barrier across the likely vector of insertion into the bathroom. I will place a strip of double-sided tape around the pipes that ascend to the bathroom, and around the walls of the cavity that contains them. I will also heap diatomaceous earth around the base of the pipes.

If this does not prevent further sightings, I may have to consider the terrifying possible of a sub-floor community – or even culture - of the creatures, existing between the bathroom tiles and the dining room ceiling. No one wants to contemplate that scenario seriously.

Did you know centipedes take care of their young, can live for seven years, and, when they lunge toward you, they are, indeed, actually attacking you? They’re like Klingons.

Comments

o_O

[anidada.livejournal.com]

1) You realize that on reading this post, several friends -- who already fear the basement denizens -- are going to think twice about using the upstairs biffy chez vous? ;)

2) I recall the tweedlebugs that haunted the apartment I lived in above a chi-chi Ptbo resto. They were enormous, and lightning quick. (Yes, I was sober.) The idea that such critters are actually intent on attack? *curls up, gibbering*

3) Have you ever seen Being John Malkovich? Suddenly I'm imagining Floor 7 1/2 populated by tweedlebugs...

Re: o_O

[pyat.livejournal.com]

1. I know. I feel a bit like the town council in "Jaws." Should I tell them, and risk ruining the biffy tourist traffic?

2. Centipedes can move 12+ inches a second. If you were centipedem this would mean you could run a three minute mile.

3. I have not! And I'm not sure I wanna, now!

Re: o_O

[mar2nee.livejournal.com]

oh no. Everyone has to see Being John Malkovich. It has nothing to do with centipedes. Floor 7 1/2 is one of the best parts.
See it. Seriously. See it.

Re: o_O

[pyat.livejournal.com]

I remember the idea of the movie fascinated me. I'll keep an eye out in the bargain bins!