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There’s something about crawling insects that tends to make people uneasy. It might be the sudden way they appear or how quickly they move across a floor or wall. The reaction is usually instant: step back, grab a slipper, and try to get rid of it.
It’s instinctive.But in most cases, panic isn’t necessary. Many of these bugs, despite how strange or unsettling they look, are completely harmless. Some even play a useful role by feeding on other pests or helping to break down natural waste. They’re not out to harm us– they’re just part of the environment we often overlook.Here are a few such insects that may look alarming at first, but aren’t nearly as dangerous as they seem.Camel cricket
If you’ve ever spotted a bug with a humped back and long legs hopping around your bathroom or near a damp wall, you might’ve been looking at a camel cricket. They show up more during the rainy season and hang around dark, moist spots.They don’t bite. They don’t sting. And they don’t chirp like regular crickets either. They feed on fungi and dead stuff, and jump? That’s just them panicking, not attacking.House centipedeThis is one insect that often catches people off guard.
With all those legs and its rapid movements, it can feel like it’s charging straight at you. But it isn’t. The house centipede is, in fact, more helpful than harmful. It feeds on pests like cockroaches, ants, and silverfish– exactly the kind of insects most people want gone. It tends to stay hidden, avoids human contact, and while it can bite, it rarely does. Even if it does happen, the bite is mild and poses little to no risk to humans.Lacewing
Lacewings are light green, soft-winged, and often spotted near garden plants or balcony lights. They don’t cause any harm to people.What makes them useful is their larvae. Those little ones eat up plant pests like aphids and mites. So if you’re into gardening, this bug is doing a quiet job in the background. Pill bug (roly-poly)These are the small grey bugs that roll into a ball when touched. They like staying under damp soil, flower pots, or old bricks.
And no, they’re not actually insects. Technically, they’re crustaceans.They help clean up decaying plant matter and improve soil quality. You’ll find them mostly outside, and even if they do end up indoors, they don’t bite or cause damage. Spined soldier bugLooks like a stink bug at first, but it isn’t. The spined soldier bug doesn’t give off any bad smell, and it doesn’t attack people.What it does do is feed on caterpillars and beetles that harm plants.
In fact, in some places, they’re used in natural pest control. So while they might look strange, they’re actually doing good work.Whip scorpion
The name alone sounds intense. And the way it looks– big, dark, with a long tail– doesn’t help. But whip scorpions aren’t venomous. They don’t bite. If they feel threatened, they might release a mild acidic spray, which could irritate eyes, but that’s about it. Otherwise, they mostly stay hidden and feed on other insects.