CENTIPEDES & MILLIPEDES

Centipedes & Millipedes
Centipedes are yellowish to dark brown, fast moving insects. These crawlers are 1/8’’ to 6’’ with 15-177 legs (1 pair per body segment). Their legs are positioned on the side of their bodies with a venomous pair of forelegs. These long-bodied insects are primarily carnivores and prey off other insects. Centipedes will use their first pair of legs, also known as pincers, to pinch or pierce other insects and deposit venom in them. The venom will kill or paralyze the insect. They live in damp moist areas and will scurry off very quickly when they feel threatened. Centipedes will bite humans if threatened. Their bites could be painful but are not fatal. A rash may occur from the bite. Please consult a doctor if needed.

Millipedes are brownish to black, cylindrical crawling insects. They have long, segmented, wormlike bodies ranging from 1/16’’ to 4 1/2’’ with 40-400 legs (2 pair per body segment). Even though they have many legs, they are slower compared to centipedes. Their legs are tucked up under their bodies and are used primarily to burrow through soil, leaves, and other decaying matter. They thrive in areas high in moisture and where decaying vegetation is present. When they feel threatened, they will curl into a ball as a defensive measure. These burrowing insects are nocturnal- being most active at night.