Sunny summer days, light breezes and fair temperatures are upon us. Along with summer comes one particular challenge in the form of pests. A common pest in this season is the millipede. The millipede poses no threat; it is more annoying than dangerous. However, the following information can help you to not only understand the millipede, but also identify and eliminate it from your home or business.
What are they?
A member of the arthropod family, the millipede has a long thin body comprised of many segments, each segment having a pair of legs. Though there are over 12,000 different species of millipedes, the most common typically live outdoors and eat wood and leaves. Given the right moist conditions, the millipede will take up residency just about anywhere.
Typical life
The female millipede can lay up to 300 eggs at a time. The egg takes about three weeks to hatch and will be born with approximately three pairs of legs. Through the young millipede’s life it will molt numerous times adding pairs of legs each time. Maturity is reached between two and four years after which molting stops. A typical lifespan of the millipede ranges anywhere between one and ten years, depending on the species.
Home threat
While sometimes fear inducing, the millipede really poses no threat to you or your home. Residing outside the majority of the time, eating the wet wood and leaves, it’s only with the spring rains that they make a migration indoors. Millipedes are not poisonous and they don’t bite or sting. However, some millipedes do secrete acids that can cause irritation, which is why it remains important to always wash your hands after any contact with the millipede.
Evasive action
Millipedes are able to hide in the tiniest of places making them a minor annoyance. These tips can help control any possible home or office invasion:
· Avoid thatch build-up from ground clippings
· Avoid excessive lawn watering and moisture
· Caulk cracks and crevices in home
· Install weather stripping
Consult with a professional pest service to take all the proper measures, and to handle an infestation.
Millipedes are drawn to moist mulch like conditions. Whether it’s your home or business, proper recommendations from a professional service can always help. No one should have to deal with a pest infestation of any kind. Finding the right resources quickly is just the answer you were looking for. Contact your local pest control service company for more information today.
