All about millipedes in New Jersey
Source: University of Florida
Do you know how to differentiate a millipede from a centipede? It’s not uncommon for people to confuse the two, but the millipede is often given the nickname of “thousand leggers.” These are docile decomposers, which means there’s so easy to feed that some folks keep them as pets. However, if you have an infestation in your New Jersey home, then you aren’t going to want them wandering about.
Their name is Latin, and it’s two words that come together to make one. The term “mil” means thousand, and the term ped means “feet.” Ironically, you won’t find one of these bugs with 1,000 feet, as most have fewer than 100. Historically, scientists did find one that had a whopping 750 feet, which was still quite shy of their name.
The real difference between the millipede and the centipede is their body structure. Millipedes are in many sections, and each section has two legs. The centipede only has one set of legs per segment. The outer shell of this bug is hard and called the tergites; however, the underside is soft and a potential threat
Their Defense System
Even though they have so many legs and feet, they don’t move so swiftly. If they feel danger, they will coil themselves in a ball rather than try to run away. One would think that those legs would help them move, but they’re more of a hindrance when trouble is lurking.
When they are in a coil, they can help protect the underside of their body, which is the most susceptible to danger. Though these bugs are known to be pretty docile critters that don’t bite, they carry stink glands, which are used as secret chemical weapons. The ozopores, or glands, will activate to emit a foul odor to keep predators at bay.
The chemicals taste very bitter when the predators come close and try to take a bite, and they also pack a punch as they have an astringent aroma. If you’re holding the bug and it feels threatened, it can also secrete this chemical into your skin. The chemical can burn you and cause blisters. So, if you ever pick up one of these bugs, make sure you wash your hands well with soap and hot water afterwards.
The Lifecycle of Millipedes
Source: UT Institute of Agriculture
These legged wonders are only born with a mere six segments and a total of only three legs. As they grow, their body goes through a process called anamorphic development. It’s during this phase of their growth that they add sections and legs to their small body. The molting stage puts them in a great deal of danger to be eaten by predators, so they go deep underground to shield themselves.
The millipedes are unique in designs as they have gonopods or sex legs that help them mate. These legs are typically located on the seventh segment of their bodies. If you want to tell a male from a female, then all you need to do is turn them over and look for legs in this area. Once they make advances towards the females, they wait for her response. If she accepts, then they will put their sperm packet inside her.
The sperm packet is also called the spermatophore, which is necessary for her to lay eggs. Once she’s “pregnant,” she will dig a deep hole so that she can transfer her eggs into the nest. She will make a protective capsule to keep the eggs safe by using her feces. She can lay up to 100 eggs at once, and it takes about 30 days for them to mature enough to hatch.
Shockingly, a millipede can live up to ten years, which is a far cry from other bugs who typically live one or two years. They don’t move real fast, and they don’t get upset about too much, but they sure have pretty good endurance in the game of life.
Identifying Millipedes In Your Home
Source: NC State University
It’s not always easy to find a problem with millipedes, as they love to hide and are excellent at staying out of your way. It’s those hard-to-reach areas of your home where they lodge, so you might have to do some investigating if you see a few scurry by you. They’re not as apt to come greet you as some other pests.
If you have a basement, then you will likely find them in this area. They also love bathrooms and garages, as they feed on decaying matter. Any cracks and crevices in your foundation or around windows are an open invitation to these bugs. They’re various shades of brown, so many mistake them for an earthworm at first glance.
However, once you get a bit closer and see the legs, you will know that this is no earthworm in your home. They can get up to an inch in length, though most are about three-quarters of an inch full grown. Most people find them curled up on the basement floor dead, as these bugs don’t like to mingle with people.
Since they eat on decaying matter, like rotting wood and plant material, they’re not likely to get into your kitchen cabinets or other food sources.
Preventing These Unsightly Problems
Source: University of Wisconsin-Madison
If you want to prevent millipedes from getting into your home, you must ensure that you keep your grass clipped and any woodpiles moved away from the home. Remember, they like high moisture conditions, so they’re looking for dark and damp areas. Focus your attention on these regions in your house, as it can help you with your task of keeping many bugs away.
The good news is that once you seal off their entry points, clear most moisture from your home, and take care of any food sources, you will likely find them lying dead everywhere. Without these critical elements, they cannot survive for long.
Calling Professional Help
While millipedes don’t pose any real threat to you or your children, the pungent chemical they use to protect themselves can be toxic to small pets. Additionally, if you have younger children who want to pick them up, the chemical can burn their skin, though it won’t bite them.
You don’t want any bugs in your home, no matter how “safe” they are to be around. So, the best thing to do when it comes to these critters is to call in your New Jersey pest control professionals. When you’re dealing with a moisture issue and seeing things like millipedes, it’s highly probably that there are other bugs in the vicinity.
More comparison articles:
Mice and rats: What’s the difference?
House Mice and Deer Mice: What’s the difference?
Termites and flying ants: What’s the difference?
Carpenter bees and bumble bees: What’s the difference?
Why are there so many millipedes in my house?
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