What is a Millipede

Millipedes are a type of arthropod that live outdoors and can be found all over the world, but their origins can be traced back to a relatively small area in the tropics. The scientific name for millipedes is Diplopoda, and they are named for their many legs: each segment of their body typically has two pairs of legs attached to millipedes. Their scientific name is derived from the Latin word "mille," meaning thousand, and the word "pedes," meaning legs. This refers to their typically many pairs of legs that help these small crawling invertebrates to move efficiently across the ground.

In particular, these bugs invade homes in Sydney, Australia. There are many different species native to this area, each with its unique physical characteristics and habits.

Millipedes are detritivores, meaning that they primarily feed on decaying organic matter and plant material such as dead leaves, wood, mulch, and dead insects. This helps to recycle essential nutrients back into the moist soil, which in turn benefits plants and other organisms that rely on these nutrients for growth.

While they mainly eat decomposing matter, millipedes will also occasionally eat living plants. This usually occurs when they are young and still growing, or when food is scarce. Millipedes typically only eat the soft parts of plants such as leaves and flowers.

What do Millipedes eat

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Behaviours of a Millipede

There are a few key behaviours of millipedes that help them to survive in the wild.

Firstly, their sensing organs allow them to detect potential threats and avoid predators.

They are also able to move quickly across the ground with their many legs, which helps them to escape danger.

Additionally, their tough exoskeletons provide them with protection from predators and the environment.

Finally, their ability to reproduce rapidly through asexual reproduction ensures that they can quickly repopulate areas that have been impacted by predation or other dangers.

Description of a Millipede

A millipede can be as long as 5cm, a segmented creature that typically has between 10 and 400 pairs of legs. Its body is typically covered with many different colours, ranging from dark greys and greens to striking shades of red and blue. While this may make the millipede seem somewhat intimidating to onlookers, it uses its many legs and various sensors to navigate its environment and avoid potential dangers. The numerous legs help it to move quickly across the ground, while the various sensors in its body allow it to locate food sources and detect natural predators.

Sensors

While both millipedes and centipedes are arthropods, several key differences between the two distinguish them from each other.

For one thing, millipedes tend to be much larger than centipedes, with some species growing up to several inches in length. Furthermore, while both species have long, segmented bodies and many pairs of legs, the number of legs that each species has differed widely. Whereas centipedes typically have between 15-30 pairs of legs, millipedes can have anywhere from 20-400 pairs of legs depending on their age and size.

Additionally, while centipedes tend to be predatory and may bite or sting if provoked, millipedes are much less aggressive and rarely pose a threat to humans or other animals.

Overall, these key differences make it clear that millipedes and centipedes are two very distinct creatures that should not be mistaken for one another.

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The Difference between a Millipede and a Centipede

Like many other invertebrates, millipedes have a suite of sensors and specialized body parts that enable them to navigate their environment and detect danger.

They have numerous pairs of antennae that help them sense motion and vibrations in the air, as well as touch-sensitive bristles along their bodies that allow them to feel for objects around them.

Body segment and shape and hard exoskeleton make them difficult for predators to hurt or kill. The ability to curl up into a flat, spherical shape, protecting all of its key body parts from harm. This defensive mechanism can be very effective against predators such as birds or turtles that target exposed body parts since the relatively flat profile allows all of the animal's body parts to blend in with its surroundings.

Millipedes are covered with tough, armoured plates that protect them against smaller predators and also make it difficult for larger predators to grip or crush their bodies as a defence mechanism.

They secrete a slime that acts as a painful irritant to deter predators

Some species can release a noxious pungent odour or toxic gas when threatened

Have distinct body parts that serve specific functions, including locomotion through rhythmic movements of their many legs,

Powerful jaws for breaking down its prey into smaller pieces

Overall, the millipede truly is an incredible specimen of nature's design!

The life cycle of a millipede begins when the female lays a small number of eggs in the soil. Once the eggs hatch, the young millipedes, known as larvae, look similar to adults except for their smaller size and lack of legs.

As they mature, they gradually grow more legs until they reach adulthood. The lifespan of a millipede varies depending on the species, but most only live for one to two years.

During this time, they go through a series of moults in which they shed their exoskeleton and grow a new, larger one. After each moult, they add additional segments to their bodies and additional pairs of legs. Ultimately, millipedes reach their full size and potential after several moults.

Once they reach adulthood, millipedes typically mate and the cycle begins anew.

Perhaps most notably, millipedes multiply through asexual reproduction by splitting off portions of their bodies when they become too large or overcrowded. This process allows them to grow in large numbers without relying on a partner, making them formidable competitors for food and resources in any ecosystem. Thus, millipedes are an integral part of nature both at home and abroad.

The Life Cycle of a Millipede

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Millipede Prevention Tips for an infestation

If you have millipedes in your home, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them.

Firstly, you should try to identify and seal gaps of any potential entry points that the millipedes may be using to get inside. This could include small cracks in the foundation or holes in screens.

Secondly, you can remove potential food sources by keeping your house clean and free of clutter. Millipedes often eat leaves and other organic matter, so it is important to remove these from your home.

Finally, you can use chemical pesticides to kill millipedes. However, it is important to use these products carefully and only as a last resort, as they can be harmful to humans and pets.

If you have millipedes in your home, taking these steps will help to get rid of them quickly and safely.

Where do you find Millipedes

Internal

Given their widespread distribution, it is not surprising that millipedes have become a nuisance for many homeowners. These pests often enter homes in search of food or shelter and can be difficult to get rid of once they are inside. If you have millipedes in your home or gardens, it is important to take steps to remove them as soon as possible. Not only are they unsightly, but they can also damage your property and spread diseases.

External

While they are often thought of as pests, millipedes play an important role in the ecosystem. They are found in a variety of habitats all over the world on ground level, including forests, grasslands, and deserts. In Australia, you can find millipedes in a wide range of environments, from rainforests to dry woodlands. They are also common in garden beds, mulch and leaf litter, moist areas and damp areas such as subfloors.

What Pest Technician methods to kill infestations

01 | Chemical Pesticide

There are a few different methods that pest technicians use for treatment.

Whichever method we choose, it is important to get rid of millipedes as soon as possible to prevent them from causing further damage to your home.

The first method is to use a chemical pesticide. This will kill the millipedes quickly, but it can also be harmful to humans and pets if used incorrectly.

02 | Insecticide Dust

The second method is to use chemical insecticide dust. This is used for enclosed spaces. If millipedes are located in subfloors, roof voids or wall cavities, dust can be used. This contains millions of particles of insecticide dust that will treat millipedes by crawling over it and inhaling.

03 | Trapping

Finally, we can use traps to catch and kill the millipedes. This is often the most effective method, but it can be time-consuming.

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Why you should hire E1 Pest Solutions?

If you have millipede infestations in your home, it is important to take steps to remove them as soon as possible. The best way to do this is to hire a professional pest control company like E1 Pest Solutions. We are experts in eradicating a millipede invasion and other pests from homes and businesses, and we will work quickly and efficiently to get rid of the problem. We also offer a range of other pest control services for spiders, rodents, cockroaches and more; so we can help to keep your property pest-free all year round. If you need help with a millipede infestation, or if you would like to find out more about our other services or pest tips, contact us today. We would be happy to discuss your needs and provide a free quote at your preferred time.

Areas we service

Canterbury / Bankstown