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Centipedes

Centipedes (the name means 100 legs) are primitive arthropods that slink along like a worm. They’re characterized by long segmented bodies, each sprouting a pair of legs. Centipedes are found throughout the world, particularly where moisture is high. That’s why you’ll find them in damp basements, bathrooms and potted plant soil.

Why you shouldn’t kill centipedes

Kesheimer admits house centipedes are one of the weirdest looking critters you’ll come across. “But they are as beneficial as they are bizarre-looking,” she says.

You want them hunting small insects and other arthropods that hide in your home, including carpet beetles, cockroaches, silverfish and spiders.

“In addition to the free pest control, house centipedes can serve as a gauge of pest pressure in your home,” Kesheimer says. “If you start to see an increase in house centipedes, it means there is something they want in your home, which may mean a pest problem.”

Although slinky and frightening at first, there’s really no reason to kill them. Apart from the above benefits, you needn’t worry about them carrying diseases or building nests or webs. Plus, they rarely cause infestations in homes. Check out the best centipede traps to snare them without much fuss.

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Bees

The most common types of bees found in the U.S. are Western honeybees (genus Apis) and bumblebees (genus Bombus). Both are pollinators native to North America. The former has a small, slim segmented body, while the latter looks like one big, plumb, fuzzy mound.

Why you shouldn’t kill bees

Bees are the most beneficial and endangered species of insects on the planet and should be protected at all costs.

Obviously, honeybees make honey. But beyond that, MedicalNewsToday reports bee and bee-related products contain many medicinal properties to treat everything from inflammation, asthma and wounds to hiccups. Above all, as pollinators, bees play a major role in the biodiversity of the planet, contributing greatly to world food security.

If you find a honeybee hive or bumblebee nest in or around your house, contact a local beekeeper. They’re equipped to help you remove and relocate the colony.

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Ladybugs

The ladybug (aka lady beetle and ladybird beetle) is a sign of good luck in many cultures.

Ladybugs have hard-shelled bodies shaped like a half dome with tiny black spots. They also have short legs, wings and antennae. Though most commonly colored red, they can also be orange and yellow. More than 5,000 species live all over the world, with about 450 native to North America.

Why you shouldn’t kill ladybugs

It’s common to find a ladybug inside your home, especially in winter. Warriors in the fight against aphids in the garden, the adult ladybug is also great at combating mealybugs on houseplants and microscopic mites that inhabit carpets, rugs and upholstery.

However, Kesheimer says ladybugs in large numbers can become a nuisance and emit a foul odor when disturbed.