When you encounter insects around your house, how does it make you feel? It’s understandable that your first instinct would be to snatch anything and run over them. Some of them carry dangerous poisons and can sting you brutally and fatally.
The creepiest ones make you feel the worst; you usually want to strangle those small, frightening animals with so many legs as soon as possible.
However, after reading this, you may be reluctant to kill those menacing-looking centipedes the next time you see them in your toilet.
It might be quite hard to resist the impulse to smash centipedes when you notice them crawling around the house. You can be shocked by centipedes. However, after learning how useful they have been around the house, you might wish to just express your gratitude by not killing them in the future.
It turns out that those squirmy, fast-moving organisms have been keeping other tiny insects out of your house. There’s a special kind of centipede around the house that has about 20 legs wrapped around its body and is slightly shorter than its other wormy brethren.
These tiny animals have acted as an undetectable pest deterrent for your house, keeping out ants, bedbugs, silverfish, spiders, and cockroaches. Their appetite is so great that they practically eat any arthropod they find about the house.
Centipedes are good guys, but that doesn’t mean you should open your doors and let them in in large numbers. Instead, it means you should be grateful to the one or two you find about the house and give them a free pass the next time they come.
They may make some noise when they are found, particularly if small children or even adults think they are disgusting and dirty. Let them go on their own or send them outside to munch some leaves instead of just squashing them.
Don’t squish every bug you come across inside your house to avoid the possibility of introducing hundreds of small baby spiders into your house. You really don’t want to see it.
Furthermore, centipedes aren’t all that terrible. They are only weak, small creatures that, aside from terrifying your heart, are hardly strong enough to cause serious harm.
Considering that they don’t actually spread germs throughout the house like other insects do will help convince you that they are genuinely good people.
Since centipedes are basically non-lethal, you shouldn’t be afraid of them either. However, we are unable to say the same regarding a few others. These insects cause a number of terrible diseases that are quite dangerous and could be fatal if properly treated.
Definitely keep an eye out for those. These are a few of the poisonous insects you should avoid coming into contact with indoors.
After being bitten, bullet ants give you the sensation that you have been fired, as their name implies. Therefore, you should try to avoid getting bitten. One of the largest ant species, they are commonly found in the rainforests of Nicaragua and Paraguay.
The problem is not the botfly itself, but rather its larvae, which are an inside parasite of many animals, including humans. The female deposits her eggs beneath the skin, and the developing larvae dig further into the skin, causing an infection that alters the tissue of the skin significantly.
According to some parents, they can feel the larvae scuttling inside their skin.
Fleas: Because they feed on blood, flea bites can cause itching, irritation, and sometimes even skin infection.
An invader may sustain agonizing white pustules on their skin for weeks after being repeatedly stung by the notorious fire ant. There are about 295 different species of ants. Some of them discharge toxic venom that might cause allergic reactions in certain persons.
Up to 12,000 people may die each year from the trypanosome cruzi parasite, which is spread by the kissing bug biting its victims’ lips.
The largest hornets are giant Japanese hornets, which may reach a length of 2 inches and have a deadly sting that kills about 40 people per year.
Tsetse Flies: An estimated 500,000 people die from sleeping sickness on the African continent as a result of being bitten by tsetse flies.
Killer Bees: Due to their immense numbers, killer bees usually launch aggressive, overwhelming attacks that are frequently fatal.
Driver ants: These ants use their powerful mandibles to strike with tremendous force. They may kill several animals in a single raid. In addition to attacking other insects, they have a horrible habit of biting humans.
Mosquitoes: Known as the deadliest insects and maybe the deadliest organisms on the planet, mosquitoes are believed to be responsible for up to one million deaths each year from diseases like yellow fever, encephalitis, West Nile virus, and malaria.
My Son Brought His Fiancée Home – The Moment I Saw Her Face and Learned Her Name, I Immediately Called the Police
When my son brought his fiancée home, I was thrilled to meet the woman who’d stolen his heart. But the moment I saw her face, my excitement was gone. I already knew her and soon had her locked in my basement.
The urge to protect your child never goes away. I’m a mother in her 50s, living in a quiet suburban neighborhood with my husband, Nathan. We’ve been married for over 25 years, and we have one son, Xavier, who’s the light of our lives.
A couple with their son | Source: Midjourney
He’s 22 now and almost out of college. Although he moved away years ago, we’re still a close-knit family. At least, I thought so until a few weeks ago when Xavier shocked us with one phone call.
It was a normal Tuesday evening. Nathan and I were in the living room, half-watching TV and half-dozing off, when the phone rang.
“Mom, Dad, I’ve got some big news!” Xavier boomed through the line. “I’ve met someone. Her name’s Danielle and she’s amazing. We’ve been dating for three months, and—” He paused dramatically. “I proposed, and she said yes!”
A man proposing | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t speak for a second. There was a lot to process. Woman. Three months. Proposed? “Wait, you’re engaged?” I asked, glancing at my husband, whose jaw was practically on the floor.
“Yup! I wanted to tell you sooner, but Danielle’s pretty shy. She wasn’t ready to meet you guys until now, but I convinced her. Can we come over this weekend for dinner?”
“Of course!” I said, though my mind was already racing with worries and only a little bit of excitement.
A woman on the phone with surprised eyes | Source: Midjourney
Xavier hadn’t mentioned a single girlfriend during his four years at college. No stories about dates, no pictures, nothing. Now he was engaged after dating for only a couple of months! That was insane.
After we hung up, I spoke to my husband. “What do we know about her?” I asked Nathan as we tidied up the house in preparation for the weekend. “Where’s she from? What does she do?”
“Sweets, you heard the same things I heard,” Nathan smiled at me. “Maybe he’s just smitten. You know how young love is.”
A man smiling | Source: Midjourney
That didn’t ease my nerves. I tried calling Xavier the next day to ask more questions, but his answers were vague. “She’s from around here,” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “She’s incredible, Mom. Just wait until you meet her. You’ll find out all you need to know!”
With those words, I decided to let go of my worries for now and focus on the future. I had to prepare for this momentous event. Nathan also reminded me of the possible benefits of our son getting married: grandchildren!
A dreamlike shot of two toddlers | Source: Midjourney
So when the big day arrived, I went all out. I roasted a chicken, baked a cherry pie, and set the table with our nicest dishes.
Nathan splurged on some pricey steaks, too. “This is just in case she prefers beef to chicken. First impressions matter, right?”
“Of course, sweets!” I told him. “Wait, do you think I should make another dessert in case she doesn’t like cherry pie?”
We spent all morning like that. Nathan even mowed the lawn, although I had no idea how that would be helpful. But it got us even more excited.
A man with lawnmower | Source: Midjourney
By the time the doorbell rang, we couldn’t contain our smiles. We must have looked like two people in a horror movie because Xavier stepped back once we opened the door.
“Welcome!” I said, almost screaming.
Xavier smiled tentatively and introduced us to Danielle, who was standing shyly beside him with her shoulders hunched and a small smile.
A couple on a front porch | Source: Midjourney
She was petite, with dark hair and big eyes. Beautiful, really, and she looked good next to my son. But her face… it took only a second for me to recognize her.
Still, I smiled as I welcomed them inside, but I was panicking for a very valid reason.
Just a few months ago, my friend Margaret showed me a photo of a woman who had scammed her son. He had fallen for this woman, who’d convinced him to buy her an expensive engagement ring and give her thousands of dollars for “wedding expenses.”
Engagement ring | Source: Midjourney
Then, she’d disappeared without a trace. Margaret was devastated and had shared the photo with everyone she knew, hoping someone might recognize the scammer. And now, here she was, standing in my living room.
Her hair was a different color, much darker, and she might be wearing blue contact lenses, but I recognized that face. And what happened next was a blur.
Somehow, we sat down. I served dinner, and everyone was talking animatedly. I even answered when I could. But I couldn’t stop staring at Danielle. I also checked my phone discreetly, trying to find the photo Margaret had sent. I must’ve erased it.
A dining table full of food | Source: Midjourney
I’d have to call her later. Suddenly, Nathan coughed. He’d noticed my distraction and asked me to help him in the kitchen.
“What’s going on, Evangeline?” he whispered once we were alone.
“That’s her,” I said urgently. “The scammer Margaret told us about. I’m sure of it.”
“What? The one who broke her son’s heart and stole everything?” Nathan frowned, hands on his hips. “Are you positive? It could just be someone who looks like her.”
A man looking worried | Source: Midjourney
“I’m telling you, Nathan, it’s her,” I insisted. “Margaret shared that photo everywhere she could for months after she disappeared. I need to do something before she hurts Xavier too.”
Nathan sighed but didn’t argue. “Just… be careful. Let’s not accuse anyone without proof.”
When dinner ended, I’d come up with a plan and set it into motion. “Danielle, would you help me pick out a wine from the basement?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
A woman at a table smiling awkwardly | Source: Midjourney
She hesitated but nodded. “Sure,” she said, standing up.
I led her downstairs, trying to be as casual as possible. Luckily, she was shy enough that conversation wasn’t that important. But the moment she stepped into the dimly lit basement, I turned and locked the door behind her.
My hands were shaking as I hurried back upstairs. “Nathan, call the police. Now!”
Xavier shot up from his seat, brows furrowed. “Mom, what are you doing?!” he demanded.
A young man confused | Source: Midjourney
“That woman is not who she says she is,” I said firmly. “She’s scammed people before. I’m protecting you.”
Xavier looked like I’d slapped him. “What? No! You’re wrong! Danielle’s not a scammer. She’s kind, she’s honest, and she’s my fiancée!”
I ignored him, called Margaret, and explained the situation. “Send me that photo of the scammer,” I begged my friend and hung up. Seconds later, my phone buzzed with the image. It was her. There was no doubt in my mind.
A woman wiht blonde hair | Source: Midjourney
I turned my phone to my son and husband. “See? I’m not crazy!”
Luckily, the police arrived shortly after and confirmed I wasn’t crazy. I was just wrong.
Xavier went down to let Danielle out of the basement. And for some reason, she wasn’t scared. She was frustrated but… amused.
A woman with a slight smile | Source: Midjourney
She turned to us with a sigh. “Everyone, this isn’t the first time someone’s mistaken me for that woman,” she said. “I know exactly who you’re talking about. She’s ruined my life, or come close to it. I’ve been taken down to the police station before, and I’ve seen her picture. She’s blonde with brown eyes; my black hair and blue eyes are natural. I’m not her.”
One of the officers looked at her closely, then nodded. “I remember this case. The real scammer did use the name Danielle and avoided police for a long time. I think she even managed to scam someone else before she got caught. She’s been in prison for a while now. I can confirm that this lady isn’t her.”
A police officer smiling | Source: Midjourney
My jaw dropped. I was relieved, yet so ashamed. Why didn’t Margaret know this? “Oh my God! I… I’m so sorry,” I stammered.
To my surprise, Danielle smiled fully and then chuckled. “Well, that was an interesting way to meet my future in-laws,” she joked. “At least I got to pick out a wine.” And she had a great taste too because the bottle she had grabbed was one of the most expensive.
Her words made me laugh, and the tension broke easily.
Xavier hugged her, clearly relieved and so in love. “I told you she wasn’t like that,” he said, shooting me a pointed look.
A couple hugging | Source: Midjourney
That night ended with apologies and a fresh start. Over time, I got to know Danielle and saw how much she truly loved Xavier. She was warm, funny, and an incredibly talented pastry chef who even made her own wedding cake.
As for me, I learned a lesson about jumping to conclusions. While I’m still protective of Xavier, I’m learning to trust his choices. And now, we have a family story we’ll never forget — though I doubt Danielle will let me live it down anytime soon.
A woman embarassed | Source: Midjourney
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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