6 Scary Bugs That Aren’t as Spooky as They Look

As Halloween creeps closer, many of us are ready to embrace the spooky season with frightening costumes and scary decorations. But when creepy things come to mind, so do the crawly ones.

While some scary-looking bugs look like they belong in a monster movie, they’re far from frightening, and actually harmless to humans. As you decorate your home with fake cobwebs and plastic spiders, get to know the real-life creatures that don’t deserve their spooky reputation.

Whip Scorpions

At first glance, whip scorpions seem straight out of a horror movie. With their long, spiked legs, massive pincers, and signature whip-like tail, they could easily be mistaken for a creature designed to haunt your nightmares. However, the truth is these intimidating arachnids aren’t dangerous to humans.

Despite their menacing look and name, whip scorpions don’t have venom. Instead, their tail is used to release a vinegar-like substance to defend themselves, earning them the nickname “vinegaroons.” They use their large pincers to catch insects and small prey, but those same pincers pose no threat to people. So, if you happen to stumble upon one of these creatures this fall, remember, there’s no need to scream and run — they’re more interested in their next meal than you.

Wolf Spiders

There have probably been quite a few Halloween creatures based on the wolf spider, and with large, hairy features and quick movements, we understand why. Seeing one dart across your floor might make you think your house is haunted, but thankfully, wolf spiders are quite docile. And while their speed can be frightening, they use it to hunt bugs, not people.

Wolf spiders can bite if they feel threatened, but their venom is mild and won’t do any long-term damage. These solitary hunters also don’t spin webs, instead preferring to chase down their prey, which is how they got their name. If you cross paths with one, think of it as pest control taking care of the real creepy crawlies — and maybe be thankful it isn’t a werewolf spider.

Praying Mantises

With their alien-like appearance, elongated bodies, and soulless eyes, praying mantises look pretty sinister. But behind their eerie aura is a bug that’s more focused on snacking than spooking.

The truth is, these peaceful predators play a crucial role in keeping your garden pest-free. Praying mantises are known for their methodical movements, slowly inching forward to grab unsuspecting insects with their front legs. While their hunting skills are ruthless, praying mantises really should be a welcome sight around your yard. After all, it's their prey that needs to say a prayer when coming face to face with one, not you.

House Centipedes

Nothing can send shivers down your spine like seeing a house centipede run across your floor. But before you go to squash one, know that these unsightly creatures are actually quite helpful.

House centipedes are excellent hunters, feeding on pests like termites, flies, and even cockroaches. Their unsettling number of legs helps them move quickly, making them a real threat to other insects. When they catch their next meal, they immobilize it with a venom that can’t do any harm to humans. For other insects, though, house centipedes really are as scary as they look.

Earwigs

When you think about earwigs, spooky stories of brain-eating insects immediately come to mind. Like all myths, there is some truth to the earwig’s reputation, but it’s been greatly exaggerated. Due to their small size, an earwig could end up in your ear canal, but in this rare instance, they’d just cause discomfort — not damage.

Earwigs are nocturnal and prefer dark, damp places, which is why they’re often found hiding under logs or in gardens. They use the pincer on the back of their abdomen to defend themselves against other insects. Their shy demeanor means they aren’t likely to pinch you, but even if they did, they’re not strong enough to break your skin.

Dobsonflies

If Edward Scissorhands were a bug, he’d probably be a dobsonfly. At first glance, you’d think this bug’s giant mandibles could do some serious damage. In reality, though, dobsonflies’ massive jaws are practically useless for biting and are mostly used for show during mating rituals.

What makes dobsonflies even more interesting is their incredible transformation. Their larvae, known as hellgrammites, live underwater for up to three years before emerging as adults. Hellgrammites are actually far more fearsome than their adult counterparts, with strong jaws and an appetite for small fish and aquatic insects.

Thankfully, these frightening bugs don’t stick around for long. Dobsonflies only live for a few days as adults, and they spend most of that short time searching for a mate. With no time on their schedule to harm any humans, we can all sigh with relief that dobsonflies won’t bite.

Find a Bug That’s Really Giving You Nightmares?

The mask may be off these bugs, but if other insects are haunting your home, contact us for a quick and efficient removal.