The solution to this infestation is not as simple as using bug spray or bleach as our reader has already tried. In fact, it might be the rocks around the reader’s property that are housing these millipedes during the day. Unfortunately, this does little to stop millipedes from coming to her property. Additionally, our reader has pointed out that rocks have been piled around her property. This is why the millipedes are so prevalent during the night. In the case of our reader, who lives in a new housing development, millipedes will hide during the hot day, either in the crooks of door frames and windowsills, in the shade of rocks, or underneath wood. Millipedes thrive in cool, damp environments where they can feed off decaying plant matter and other organic matter. Most millipedes have about three pairs of legs per segment, thus having a total of 160 along their inch (to one-and-a-half-inch) long bodies. These critters, although appearing worm-like, are arthropods, meaning they have legs underneath their bodies (which are difficult to see from the picture) that are joint at several segments. Although it might be of small comfort to our reader, we are able to identify the creature as a millipede! This one in particular is about as generic of a millipede as you can find. They die off quickly if they don't find a moisture source.Our reader says she is “desperate” to be rid of these creatures, which come out during the night and make spending time on her porch uncomfortable as they cover its surface. They do seem to have a bloom in the correct conditions because they will invade a home in high numbers looking for water. The only draw back I see is their long, 10 month maturation / life cycle. These guys might be great in our tanks, feeding on Bark mulch, or ABG Mix. They protect themselves from attack by means of the hairs that protrude from the tip of the abdomen which are hooked and can readily detach when the duff millipede is attacked.īecause they like damp environments, and because they are a scavenger, feeding on mold, algae and fungi under and around the bark of conifer trees (and a few other trees), and because they don't have the typical chemical defenses, I think they might do well as another food source along with springtails and isopods if we can cultivate them. Unlike most millipedes the body of the duff is not hardened (calcified) and they lack chemical defenses. It is not known if this similar pattern is present among duff millipedes in the western states like Colorado and Wyoming. Breeding may occur in spring and again in autumn producing two peaks of adult activity during the season. Development of a common species that occurs in the cool forest conditions of Scandanavia (Polyxenus lagrus), they take about 10 months to reach the adult stage and adults live for about 3 months. Duff millipedes are harmless, their feeding habits would prevent them from damaging any household materials.ĭuff millipedes go through seven immature stages, gradually increasing in size and segmentation with each molt, before reaching the adult form. Superficially, they look similar to tiny carpet beetle larvae, but they have far more legs than do carpet beetles. They look like tiny caterpillars as they are covered with fine bristles and have a tufts of hair protruding from their hind end.
The critter reaches only 1/8 inch long and feeds on algae, fungi and decaying organic matter. It is an unusual species which is found primarily in damp pine forested areas particularly around the bark of certain trees and around black ants. There is one millipede that I found that might be useful as a food source. The right species of guys might make interesting additions to our tanks, but I thing only the young might end up as a food source. They prefer to spend most of their time in moist areas, such as under rocks or logs and in lawn thatch. While they will compete for food with our springtails and isopods, they will not usually our frog's eggs. Rarely will they feed on tender green leaves and roots. They are mostly scavengers, feeding on rotting organic matter such as leaves and wood. Millipedes do not bite or pose any danger to us humans or our frogs. When dead or disturbed, they tend to curl into a tight coil. Their legs are found underneath their bodies, ie. They are slow moving, having two pairs per body segment, except for the first three segments of their bodies, which have one pair each. They are round and elongated, with many small legs.
Centipede and millipede pictures full#
The most common millipedes are dark brown and reach 1 to 1 1/2 inches when full grown.
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