Centipede and Millipede

Centipedes and millipedes are named for their large number of legs. Millipedes usually have more legs, with 2 pairs per body segment – whereas centipedes only have one. They both range in size, anywhere from 1/16″ long up to several inches. Centipedes can run very fast, and millipedes will curl up in a ball when disturbed. With a preference for moist areas you can find them under rotten logs, in mulch, or in other organic matter. When they get into your home, they look for damp areas like basements or bathrooms. If a centipede is large enough, it can bite and inject venom which feels about like a bee sting. Millipedes feed mostly on plant matter and don’t bite, but can excrete a stinky fluid some people are allergic to. In nature centipedes are a beneficial part of the food chain, feeding on other insects. This means they also eat other insects inside, which can be looked at as good or bad. They provide free pest control, but are another pest in themselves. So generally keeping your home free of other pests can help to keep centipedes from moving in.