Don’t be fooled by their name; millipedes don’t have a million legs! However, these small arthropods do have quite a few, boasting from 50 all the way up to 1,300 legs. They are often confused with their carnivorous cousins, centipedes, but they have several features that set them apart.
Renowned for being the oldest creatures to walk from water to land, about 420 million years ago, these long creatures are nature’s little recyclers. Although they are classified as pests, millipedes won’t damage your clothes or furniture, or bite you or your family members. They only become a nuisance when they invade your home in large numbers.Â
When threatened, millipedes curl into a tight spiral to protect their smooth and vulnerable underside. They may also produce a foul-smelling fluid that can be irritating when it comes into contact with your skin. These creatures feed on dead decaying matter and are responsible for recycling nutrients back to the soil.
Millipedes are easily confused with centipedes because of their close resemblance. However, a few features help separate the former from the latter. First, they have two pairs of legs in each segment, unlike centipedes that only have one pair on each segment. Secondly, millipedes also assume a circular body shape, while centipedes tend to have a flatter body. Millipedes also tend to be a bit smaller than centipedes.Â
Most millipedes are detritivores and feed on decaying matter, while centipedes are carnivorous and feed on other live insects. Some other features unique to millipedes include:
Size: They measure around .12 to 10.5 inches long.
Color: Dark brown, black, and shiny reddish
Bodily Features: Hard, circular, cord-like body divided into multiple segments with two pairs of legs in each segment. They have short but visible antennae. They move slower than centipedes as their legs push in a wave-like pattern. Millipedes coil into a spiral when threatened.Â
Habitat: Millipedes live outdoors in dark and moist areas such as in compost bins, places with decaying dead leaves, and rotting logs. They settle high moisture areas in the house, such as the basements, bathrooms, cellars, and under the sink.
Diet: Millipedes are detritivores; they feed on dead and decaying matter. Most millipede species will feed exclusively on dead plants, but some will also feed on animal carcasses.Â
Millipedes are harmless creatures that won’t cause any damage to your home. They won’t contaminate your food, chew up clothes, or destroy your furniture. Besides the fact that they become a nuisance when you have a full-blown infestation, there’s not much to stress about with these creatures.
 The only exception would be that they can produce a foul-smelling fluid that might irritate the skin if they are mishandled or feel threatened. Still, it won’t cause any severe complications.
The primary means of prevention is reducing the conditions that favor these arthropods and sealing entry points. Homeowners should:
You should always have a backup in case these preventative measures fail. If your millipede problem becomes severe, reach out to an experienced pest control company. The experts at Domain Pest Control have the tools and the know-how to help you get rid of millipedes and keep them away!
Cockroaches: Facts vs Myths Cockroaches are notorious creatures renowned for their tendency to rapidly infest homes, cause health problems, and spark havoc and fear. Because of their terrible reputation, most people are understandably disgusted by these pesky creatures. Despite the negative press, cockroaches are actually quite useful creatures with an important environmental role, which many
Differences in Termites and Ants Although termites and ants are two distinct species, they also share some similarities that make it challenging for most people to differentiate between them. Both pests are notoriously destructive creatures you wouldn’t want in your home. Often mistaken for each other are carpenter ants and termites, mostly due to both
Mice A mouse is one of the most widespread rodents in many parts of the world. Mice are nocturnal creatures, meaning they play and forage at night and spend the day sleeping. These pesky creatures are active all year round and thus can wreak havoc in your home or business throughout the year. Â Mice
Fill out the form below and our team will get back to you shortly, or skip the wait and give us a call
Fire ant
Red ant
Acrobat ant
Sugar/house ant
Brown recluse
Black widow
Orb weaver
Wolf spider
Oriental roach
Smokey brown roach
American roach
Brown banded roach
Signing up for our email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, updates, and pest control tips
