4 Insects Illinois Homeowners Should Never Smoosh

If you're the type of person who reaches for a shoe the second you see a bug crawling across the floor, you might want to pause before you start swinging at it.

There are actually several insects and household pests that can be beneficial to have around.  In fact, experts say some of the creepy-crawlers you find indoors may be helping keep other unwanted pests under control.

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Here are four you may want to think twice about killing:

House Spiders: Nobody likes discovering a spider in the house, but they can be so helpful!  They feed on flies, mosquitos and other insects that you probably don't want buzzing around the house.

Ladybugs: Finding a ladybug might seem harmless, and that's because they are beneficial to keep around.  They eat aphids and other pests that can damage plants.  If you find a ladybug indoors, just gently move it outside rather than squishing it.

Cellar spiders: They have long skinny legs if you were wondering.  They're generally considered harmless to people and may be useful "roommate."

House centipedes: House centipedes have a lot of legs and move incredibly fast, but they eat other household pests including spiders and cockroaches.  Basically, they look terrifying but are doing pest control for literally free!

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So, next time you see one of these four crawling around your home, you might want to resist the urge to grab the shoe.  Just sayin'.