Understanding the pests you may be dealing with is half the battle regarding pest control. While millipedes and centipedes may look similar, there are some crucial differences you should know about, especially if you find one of these many-legged creatures in your home.
You don’t need to know exactly the ins and outs of every creepy crawly when you call pest control for help — we’re professional pest identifiers, after all! Still, if you can identify it, you’ll be better equipped to take preventative measures and avoid future infestations.
Ready to spend a little time in the world of arthropods? Let’s get started.
What are Millipedes and Centipedes?
Millipedes and centipedes are actually not insects, being more closely related to aquatic arthropods like lobsters, crayfish, and shrimp. While they are land-based critters, millipedes, and centipedes prefer a moist and humid habitat (perhaps a nod to their sea-dwelling relatives).
Millipedes and centipedes don’t carry diseases that can harm other living things, like mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. That said, you should know the difference between these two breeds of many-legged pests before picking one up with your bare hands, as some may be poisonous. Furthermore, both millipedes and centipedes bring unique problems to your garden or home, making them less than ideal house guests.
Three Key Differences Between Millipedes and Centipedes
1. Appearance
Millipedes have four short legs per segment that are located beneath their body. They also have a small, round head and short antennae and are generally dark and solid colored. Centipedes have only two legs per segment, but theirs are much longer than millipede legs and stick out to the sides.
Looking at the positioning of the legs is the quickest way to identify whether you’re dealing with a millipede or centipede without getting up close and personal! Centipedes also have larger heads with long antennae, plus antennae along their backs that help them see. They are typically more vibrantly colored and patterned than millipedes.
2. Potential Danger
Remember their potentially poisonous aspects if you’re debating whether to mess around with a millipede or a centipede. Millipedes are generally safer, as they don’t bite and aren’t poisonous, but they can excrete toxins from their bodies when they feel threatened. While a centipede will run away if it perceives a threat (like a giant boot trying to step on it), millipedes hold still and excrete this toxin along their body that, when it comes in contact with your bare skin, can cause some irritation.
Centipedes, being more carnivorous, do bite — and their bite is venomous. A centipede bite feels like a bee sting and can be very painful, but it’s usually not life-threatening unless an allergic reaction occurs. They won’t bite unless they feel threatened, preferring flight over fight.
3. Different Diets
Lending purpose to their bite, centipedes eat insects that they kill with their venomous bite. They even eat other centipedes — which can be handy for pest control a la natural selection! Centipedes can be helpful for insect control around your property because they consume other pests. They won’t harm your garden like millipedes can and may even decrease the number of other pest control issues in your yard. Still, they’re best left outdoors.
Millipedes feed off of decaying plant matter and may also nibble on living plant roots, killing your plants from underground. While you don’t want these creatures in your house, you don’t want them in your garden either!
How to Prevent Millipedes and Centipedes
While they are most commonly found in gardens and yards, millipedes and centipedes have been known to wander indoors following inclement weather (something we are familiar with in Kansas City).
Here are some things you can do to protect your home from centipedes and millipedes:
Seal up any cracks, gapping, or holes in your home’s foundation
Replace weather stripping and make sure windows and doors form a tight seal
Keep the ground around the foundation of your home dry as much as possible
Use a dehumidifier in your home to reduce moisture
Keep cardboard and other organic materials off the ground
Declutter your home to eliminate potential hiding places
Proper yard maintenance is key if you’re concerned about millipedes wreaking havoc on your garden. Both millipedes and centipedes are attracted to dead or decaying organic matter like leaves and dead plants, so pruning and tidying your outdoor areas will go a long way toward keeping them at bay.
Do I Need Pest Control to Deal with Millipedes and Centipedes?
Any time you have an intruder, it’s wise to contact pest professionals. Even if you only find one or two millipedes or centipedes in your home, call our team at Advantage to schedule an appointment to treat your home. Our family-owned, local team brings vast experience and excellent service, ensuring a pest-free future for you and your household!
If you’re continuing to find one (or both!) of these pests in and around your home, give us a call at Advantage Termite and Pest Control to make sure a few creepy crawlies don’t turn into a more significant issue! Call us at first sight — we do it right!
