Centipedes & Millipedes
Biology
Centipedes and millipedes are distant relatives of lobsters, crayfish and shrimp. Centipedes and millipedes are land insects, that prefer moist habitats or areas of high humidity. Millipedes are different from centipedes in that most body segments are more round and have two pairs of legs on each segment instead of one. The head is rounded with short antennae and does not contain poison. Centipedes however, use venom to kill their pray and have been known to bite people. Centipedes can live up to 6 years with the millipedes living up to 10 years.
Habitat
Centipedes and millipedes may be found in a variety of habitats but prefer moist, protected places such as under stones, rotted logs, leaves or bark. Normally, eggs are laid in the soil and covered by a sticky substances. If they enter your structure, they are usually found in lower floors and basements.
Habits
Centipedes spend the winter as adults and lay eggs during the warm months. Millipedes are usually restricted to moist places where they feed on organic matter. In the fall, they may become a nuisance because they migrate away from feeding areas and invade homes in search for warmer temperatures. Most species of centipede feed upon small creatures such as insects using its venom. They are usually considered nuisances rather than destructive pests. Centipedes pose a threat to people because they have poison glands and will bite. The only concern is for those who may have an allergic reaction to insect venom’s. Millipedes occasionally damage seedling plants by feeding on stems and leaves. Although harmless, millipedes become a nuisance when they infest homes in large numbers.
TRANSMITTED DISEASES
Centipedes and millipedes do not transmit human diseases.
Centipede & Millipede Prevention
Controlling centipedes and millipedes outdoors include: removing objects that provide safety for the insects, such as trash piles, rocks, boards, leaf piles, compost piles, and similar materials.
Structural Pest Program
Our service technician will perform a thorough inspection on the exterior and interior of your structure to locate all problem areas and properly identify the pest you are having.
All programs are specially designed to target the pest that is infesting your structure.
