… ignore sensational headlines and find out what kind of creature it really is.

These embellished headlines (so-called clickbait) try to cause panic in order to make you click on the article. Usually, after opening, you will find that it is a completely normal household inhabitant that does not pose any mortal danger to you.

Here is an overview of some of the most common insect “suspects” that these articles attract, and what you really need to know about them:

Shadow / Mite / Zvinka: It seeks moisture. If you see it often, it is not a sign of a dark curse, but it indicates that you have higher humidity in your house or apartment and a potential risk of mold.
Dalmatian centipede: It looks scary and moves very fast, but it is your best natural ally. It hunts ladybugs, cockroaches, bedbugs and spiders.
House ladybug: Indicates a humid environment (most often bathrooms and kitchens). It is completely harmless to humans and furniture.

Cockroach or bedbug: Panic is justified here, but not because of mysterious warnings on the Internet – in this case, simply call an exterminator.

If you are concerned about a specific insect in your house, just take a photo or describe it (color, number of legs, size, where it lives) and I will be happy to tell you what exactly it is and how to get rid of it, if necessary.

The material was prepared by the editorial team using artificial intelligence tools. All information was checked and edited before publication.