Pest Identification: Millipedes

Millipedes, often called “thousand-leggers,” can have 30-90+ pairs of legs, with some species having over 333 pairs. They vary in color and size, with the common garden millipede being brownish-black and about one inch long. Most are nocturnal scavengers, feeding on decaying plants and occasionally dead insects. Millipedes are found worldwide, with around 1,000 species in the U.S. They are attracted to dark, cool, moist environments rich in organic matter, such as compost piles, mulched beds, and rotting logs. Millipedes may release a toxic fluid when disturbed, and when threatened, they curl into a “C” shape and secrete a cyanide-like compound. They are often confused with centipedes, but centipedes have one pair of legs per segment and are faster. Millipedes usually pass the winter as adults and lay eggs in spring. While they can invade homes seeking moisture, they don't survive indoors for more than a few days. Prevention involves reducing moisture, using dehumidifiers, keeping lawns mowed, and removing leaf piles. Millipedes are arthropods, some of the oldest creatures on land, playing a crucial role as nature's recyclers. They feed on dead plants and animals, recycling nutrients into the soil. Millipedes prefer damp spaces and can be found around crawl spaces, damp basements, and sliding glass doors/windows. Although they may enter homes in spring and fall, they usually die within one to two days indoors. A hatchling millipede is born with three pairs of legs and can grow up to 200 legs as an adult. They curl into a spiral when threatened or dead. Millipedes and centipedes, though related, are different, with centipedes being carnivores and some species capable of biting.