Millipedes Cent Cal

MILLIPEDES AND CENTIPEDES
Integrated Pest Management In and Around the Home
sprouting seeds, seedlings, or straw-

berries and other ripening fruits in
contact with the ground.
Sometimes individual millipedes

wander from their moist living places
into homes, but they usually die
quickly because of the dry conditions
and lack of food. Occasionally, large
(size varies) (size varies) numbers of millipedes migrate, often
uphill, as their food supply dwindles
or their living places become either
Figure 1. Millipede (left); Centipede (right). too wet or too dry. They may fall into
swimming pools and drown.
Millipedes and centipedes (Fig. 1) are pedes curl up. The three species When disturbed they do not bite, but
often seen in and around gardens and found in California are the common some species exude a defensive liquid
may be found wandering into homes. millipede, the bulb millipede, and the that can irritate skin or burn the eyes.
Unlike insects, which have three greenhouse millipede.
clearly defined body sections and Life Cycle
three pairs of legs, they have numer- Millipedes may be confused with Adult millipedes overwinter in the
ous body segments and numerous wireworms because of their similar soil. Eggs are laid in clutches beneath
legs. Like insects, they belong to the shapes. Wireworms, however, are the soil surface. The young grow
largest group in the animal kingdom, click beetle larvae, have only three gradually in size, adding segments
the arthropods, which have jointed pairs of legs, and stay underneath the and legs as they mature. They mature
bodies and legs and no backbone. soil surface. in 2 to 5 years and continue to live for
Their bodies are covered with a shell- several years thereafter.
like covering called an exoskeleton. Habitat and Importance
There are several features that distin- Millipedes normally live in and feed Control
guish a millipede from a centipede. on rotting leaves and wood and other Millipedes seldom need to be con-
(Table 1). kinds of moist decaying plant matter. trolled. Keep in mind that they do no
Generally, their role is a beneficial damage indoors and pose no health
MILLIPEDES one in helping to break down dead hazard. Those that stray indoors can
Description plant matter. However, when they be swept out or picked up with a
Millipedes, or “thousand-leggers,” are become numerous, they may damage vacuum cleaner. Sealing cracks and
brownish, elongated, cylindrical to
slightly flattened creatures, with two
(most common) or four pairs of tiny
legs per body segment. Millipedes TABLE 1. How to Tell Millipedes and Centipedes Apart.
don’t really have a thousand legs;
even the largest ones have somewhat Millipede Centipede
less than a hundred. When they walk, pairs of legs/body segment 2 or 4 1
their legs move in an undulating last legs extend backward no yes
wavelike manner. Adult millipedes moves rapidly no yes
vary from 1/2 to 61/2 inches in length. attempts to bite no yes
When prodded or at rest, most milli-
PEST NOTES
University of California
Publication 7472
Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources March 2000

March 2000 Millipedes and Centipedes
rapidly. Unlike millipedes, centipedes

never coil up when disturbed.
Garden centipedes (symphylids) (Fig.

3) may be confused with true centi-
pedes but are white, less than 1/4 inch
in length, and have 12 pairs of legs as
(actual size) adults. Symphylids live in damp soil (actual size)
where they sometimes attack under-
Figure 2. House centipede. ground portions of plants. They are Figure 3. Garden centipede.
associated with soils that are high in
organic matter.
other openings to the outside helps and generally play a beneficial role in
prevent them from entering. Usually Habitat and Importance the garden. Their activities should be
invasions are over within a few days. Centipedes usually are found in damp, encouraged in the yard. Reductions in
dark places, such as under stones, leaf the number of household centipedes
Eliminating moist hiding places mulch, or logs. Indoors, centipedes occur when their food source—other
around the home will kill or discour- may occur in damp areas of base- household pests—is controlled. Air-
age millipedes. Outdoors, this in- ments, closets, or bathrooms, or any- ing out damp places may help. Out-
cludes removing rotting wood and where in the home where insects doors, centipede control is aided by
decaying grass and leaves from occur. During the day they hide in dark the removal of debris as recom-
around the house’s foundation. This cracks and crevices, coming out at mended for millipedes.
also eliminates millipede food night to search for insects to eat.
sources. If there is excessive moisture Although some pesticides are labeled
in subfloor crawl spaces or base- House centipedes are actually benefi- for controlling centipedes, their use is
ments, take measures to dry out these cial—they capture flies, cockroaches, rarely justified. Be especially careful
areas. and other small household pests. to avoid products containing diazinon
They never damage plants or house- and chlorpyrifos, which pose prob-
Application of insecticides is rarely hold items. lems for aquatic invertebrates and
justified for millipede control. If you must be kept out of storm water or
decide to apply pesticides, avoid When provoked, a few large kinds of sewer drains.
materials such as diazinon and centipedes can inflict a painful bite
chlorpyrifos, which pose hazards to that may cause localized swelling, COMPILED FROM:
aquatic invertebrates and should not discoloration, and numbness. Moore, W. S., and C. S. Koehler. 1986.
be allowed to get into storm water or Millipedes and Centipedes. Oakland:
sewer drains. Life Cycle Univ. Calif. Div. Agric. Nat. Res. Leaflet
Adult centipedes overwinter in se- 7172.
CENTIPEDES cluded moist places. Eggs are usually
Description placed in damp soil in the spring and REFERENCE
Centipedes, or “hundred-leggers,” are summer. Some centipede species add Shelley, R. M. 1999. Centipedes and
elongated, flattened animals, bearing segments and legs as they grow; others millipedes with emphasis on North
one pair of legs per body segment. are born with a complete set. Centi- American fauna. Kansas School Natu-
The actual total number of legs in pedes require 2 to 3 years to mature, ralist. Vol. 45, No. 3. Emporia, KS:
most species is closer to 30 than to and have been known to live 6 years. Emporia State University. 16 pp.
100. Adult centipedes are usually
brownish and over 1 inch in length. Control
The house centipede (Fig. 2), a spe- Centipedes seldom need to be con-
cies that commonly invades buildings, trolled unless they become a nuisance
has long legs that enable it to run in the home. Centipedes are predators
◆ 2 ◆
March 2000 Millipedes and Centipedes
For more information contact the University

of California Cooperative Extension or agri-
cultural commissioner’s office in your coun-
ty. See your phone book for addresses and
phone numbers.
CONTRIBUTORS: M. L. Flint, J. Klotz,
V. Lazaneo, V. Lewis, E. Mussen, M. Rust,
A. Slater
EDITOR: B. Ohlendorf
TECHNICAL EDITOR: M. L. Flint
ILLUSTRATIONS: Millipede (Fig. 1), House
Centipede (Fig. 2): Millipedes and Centi-
pedes, UC DANR Leaflet 7172. Centipede
(Fig. 1): D. Kidd. Garden centipede (Fig. 3):
Hilgardia II (3):78 (Jan. 1938).
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION: M. Brush
PRODUCED BY IPM Education and Publica- WARNING ON THE USE OF CHEMICALS
tions, UC Statewide IPM Project, University Pesticides are poisonous. Always read and carefully follow all precautions and safety recommendations given
of California, Davis, CA 95616-8620 on the container label. Store all chemicals in the original labeled containers in a locked cabinet or shed, away
from food or feeds, and out of the reach of children, unauthorized persons, pets, and livestock.
This Pest Note is available on the World Confine chemicals to the property being treated. Avoid drift onto neighboring properties, especially gardens
Wide Web (http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu) containing fruits and/or vegetables ready to be picked.
Dispose of empty containers carefully. Follow label instructions for disposal. Never reuse the containers. Make
sure empty containers are not accessible to children or animals. Never dispose of containers where they may
contaminate water supplies or natural waterways. Do not pour down sink or toilet. Consult your county
agricultural commissioner for correct ways of disposing of excess pesticides. Never burn pesticide containers.
The University of California prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person employed by or
To simplify information, trade names of products seeking employment with the University on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, physical or
have been used. No endorsement of named products mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age,
is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar prod- sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (special disabled veteran, Vietnam era veteran,
ucts that are not mentioned. or any other veteran who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a
This material is partially based upon work supported campaign badge has been authorized). University Policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of
by the Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agricul- applicable State and Federal laws. Inquiries regarding the University’s nondiscrimination policies may be
ture, under special project Section 3(d), Integrated directed to the Affirmative Action/Staff Personnel Services Director, University of California, Agriculture and
Pest Management. Natural Resources, 1111 Franklin, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607-5200; (510) 987-0096.
◆ 3 ◆

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MILLIPEDES AND CENTIPEDES

Integrated Pest Management In and Around the Home

sprouting seeds, seedlings, or straw-

Sometimes individual millipedes

Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources March 2000

rapidly. Unlike millipedes, centipedes

Garden centipedes (symphylids) (Fig.

For more information contact the University

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