Millipedes live in various environments worldwide, including every state in the U.S. While their appearance can be startling, these many-legged creatures are mostly harmless to humans. This article will examine millipedes, their potential risks, and how to manage them when they appear in or around your home.
Are Millipedes Dangerous to Humans?
Millipedes pose minimal danger to humans. They don’t have venom glands and can’t bite or sting. Some species release a defensive fluid from glands along their bodies when threatened. This fluid causes mild skin irritation if it comes into contact with sensitive areas like your eyes or nose. These secretions mainly contain benzoquinones, which can cause a temporary burning sensation and skin discoloration.
Beyond chemical defenses, millipedes have evolved to live peacefully among plants and animals. They contribute to the ecological balance in various habitats. Their defensive mechanisms protect them from predators and don’t pose a threat to humans.
How To Handle Millipede Defensive Fluid
If you come into contact with millipede defensive fluid, take the following precautions:
- Wear protective gloves when handling millipedes: Gloves prevent direct contact with the defensive secretions, minimizing irritation.
- Wash hands thoroughly after any contact: Use soap and water to clean areas exposed to millipede fluids.
- Avoid touching eyes or face: This reduces the risk of transferring the irritant fluid to sensitive regions.
- Clean any surfaces where millipedes have released their fluids: Use a mild detergent or disinfectant on surfaces to remove fluids.
In rare cases, you might feel skin irritation, rashes, or a burning sensation if you come into contact with these secretions. If you notice any unusual symptoms, contact a healthcare professional. Acting quickly to treat exposure can prevent serious effects.
Where Do Millipedes Live?
Millipedes thrive in various environments, favoring moist areas with decaying organic matter. In their natural habitats, they break down organic material, which enriches the soil. Outdoors, you’ll find millipedes hiding beneath leaf piles, mulch, rotting logs, and rocks.
When they venture indoors seeking shelter, millipedes favor damp spots like basements, crawl spaces, under sinks, and garages. Knowing their preferred habitats helps you address potential issues early. Reducing indoor humidity and promptly removing decaying plant materials keep millipede populations in check. Maintain a clean and dry perimeter around your home to minimize conditions that attract these critters indoors.
How To Identify Millipedes
With approximately 7,000 species worldwide, millipedes come in various shapes and sizes. However, they share some common characteristics, distinguishing them from other multi-legged creatures.
Millipedes have several distinctive features that set them apart in the world of arthropods. They display a unique and recognizable appearance with two pairs of legs per body segment. Their legs, positioned downward and close to the body, allow them to glide smoothly through soil and leaf litter, adapting them well to their natural habitats. Millipedes also have a cylindrical or slightly flattened body shape, which enables them to move easily through narrow spaces and burrow effectively. They exhibit a natural defense mechanism when threatened by curling into a tight ball, shielding their underside from potential predators.
Millipedes are similar to centipedes, yet they differ in several ways. Centipedes, for instance, have just one pair of legs per body segment, giving them a less uniform appearance than millipedes. Their legs are also longer and point outward, a trait that makes them faster and more agile. This speed is essential for centipedes, who are carnivorous and rely on agility to hunt their prey. Unlike millipedes, which are primarily decomposers aiding in the breakdown of organic matter, centipedes are active predators.
Knowing these distinctions helps you identify which creature you’re dealing with. Understanding these creatures’ behavior and ecological roles helps manage any issues related to their presence in your home.
Are Millipedes Dangerous to Pets?
While millipedes mostly pose a low health risk to pets, their defensive fluids can be toxic if ingested, especially to smaller animals. These chemicals, aimed at deterring predators, can cause mild symptoms if a pet attempts to consume a millipede. Some pets may also experience allergic reactions or gastrointestinal upset. If a pet comes into contact with a millipede, take the following precautions:
- Watch your pet closely for vomiting, skin irritation, or unusual behavior, which may indicate exposure to a millipede’s fluids.
- If you notice symptoms, contact a veterinarian immediately to avoid complications.
- Keep pets from consuming millipedes by supervising them in areas where millipedes are present and discouraging any interactions.
Be proactive and seek professional medical advice when needed to protect your pets from harm.
How To Prevent Millipedes
Create a less appealing environment to moisture-loving millipedes to prevent them from entering your home. Effective prevention reduces indoor populations and promotes a healthier home environment. Here are some strategies to deter millipedes:
- Use dehumidifiers in damp areas of your home to lower humidity levels, making them less favorable for millipedes.
- Regularly mow the lawn to circulate the air and reduce moisture retention.
- Water plants and lawns early in the morning to give the ground time to dry, minimizing ideal conditions for these pests.
- Remove leaf piles, grass clippings, and excess mulch. This eliminates materials that trap moisture and provide hiding spots for millipedes.
- Stack firewood off the ground on a rack to reduce contact with moist soil and decrease millipedes.
- Seal entry points around your home’s foundation with caulk or weather stripping to prevent gaps where millipedes can gain access.
- Install door sweeps to block potential entryways, preventing millipedes from slipping under doors.
Be particularly vigilant during periods of heavy rain or in the fall, as these are times when millipedes are more likely to seek shelter indoors.
Are Millipedes Poisonous?
Millipedes are not poisonous or venomous in the traditional sense, though some species release a toxin as a defense mechanism. Larger millipede species can spray this defensive fluid up to 32 inches away. This behavior shows how the millipede prefers to avoid direct conflict.
Despite being a nuisance in homes, millipedes are beneficial for the environment. As decomposers, they contribute to soil health by breaking down dead plant matter. Their activities recycle nutrients needed for plant growth and soil structure.
As a whole, millipedes are beneficial household pests because they eat decaying plant matter and keep the environment cleaner as a result.
Do Millipedes Sting or Bite?
Millipedes do not sting or bite. When threatened, their defense mechanism is to curl into a tight ball and release their defensive fluid. This behavior poses no direct threat to humans or pets. Instead, it highlights their evolutionary strategy of passive defense, focusing on self-preservation through avoidance rather than aggression.
How To Get Rid of Millipedes
If millipedes become a persistent problem in your home, there are several steps you can take. These steps involve focusing on environmental management and direct intervention:
- Remove millipedes using a vacuum cleaner or broom: Quick removal tools help manage millipedes without resorting to chemicals.
- Reduce moisture levels in and around the home: Provide good ventilation, and repair leaks around your home.
- Eliminate food sources by removing decaying plant matter: Regularly clean gardens and foundations to deprive millipedes of food.
- Apply a pesticide around the home’s perimeter: Combine pest treatments with environmental changes for a complete fix.
- Consult a professional pest control service for severe infestations: Experts provide targeted treatments and prevent future issues.
Address the underlying causes of millipede infestations—excess moisture or decaying organic matter—to prevent future problems.
Watch the video below to learn four easy steps for getting rid of millipedes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do millipedes eat?
Millipedes mainly eat decaying organic matter. This includes rotting wood, manure, decaying plants, dead insects, and rotting fruits and vegetables. Sometimes, they’ll eat fresh plants, fungi, and fruit if no decaying plants are readily available.
Are millipedes nocturnal?
Most millipedes are nocturnal. They stay up at night scavenging for food.
How big do millipedes get?
Millipedes are between 1 and 5 inches long. However, giant African millipedes can grow up to a foot long.
Are millipedes good for plants and soil?
Millipedes can be beneficial for your plants and soil because they primarily eat decaying organic matter. By breaking down dead organic material, they can improve soil fertility and help plants grow.
