I assume you're growing outside. Without trying to sound too much like a tree hugger. Praying mantis along with spiders, some wasps and yes, even centipedes, are extremely beneficial predators She will eat many times her bodyweight in grasshoppers, leafhoppers, worms, (they eat aphids like popcorn) and all types nasties bent on decimating your crop. I know centipedes are mildly poisonous. She is just as eager to avoid you. Keep an eye out for her. Just give the plant a good shake before handling it. If you use pesticides, all bets are off. (allthough they seem to do OK with neem oil) I had 3 last year and the plants with the centipedes did better overall than the others.