Millipedes don't have a thousand legs, even if they sometimes look like it.
Millipedes are leggy, creepy crawlies that live all over Virginia. In fact, Virginia has a special connection to these weird creatures. Find out more about them and their place in Virginia (but not in your home!) below.
What Do Millipedes Look Like?
Simply, most millipedes look like worms with a whole bunch of legs. They are usually brown or black. Millipedes can range in size from less than an inch to well over five inches long. In spite of their name meaning "thousand legs", millipedes fortunately don't have quite that many. In fact, most millipedes have less than a hundred legs. Their legs come in two pairs of jointed legs along most segments of their body.
Millipedes generally live in places that have decaying organic material, such as wood piles, under rocks or mulch, and on floors of wooded area.
In your home, millipedes prefer cool, dark spaces, so you'll usually find them in basements or similar areas. In the summer, millipedes will seek shelter from the heat and summer rains by finding their way into your house. In the winter, millipedes will be drawn to the warmth of your home, as they cannot survive in extreme cold temperatures. Millipedes also require moisture, meaning that if they make it inside but can't find a damp place to live, they won't survive long.
Uniquely Virginian
Here in Virginia, we have some unique connections to different millipedes.
We even have an endangered millipede called the Ellett Valley millipede. This millipede is a white creature that survives now only in eight caves in rural Virginia. Most of it's habitat has been destroyed or threatened by urbanization, development, quarries, and pipelines.
Additionally, researchers in Virginia have discovered several new varieties of millipedes, including the Nannaria hokie. You probably guessed by the name, but this small new species was found right on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg.
In addition to the Hokie millipede, there are numerous other varieties of these arthropods that have been discovered in the forests of Virginia. Researchers have found and named a number of new Virginia millipedes in the recent past.
How Do I Get Rid of Millipedes?
Because millipedes are seeking damp places, making sure that you have no leaky pipes or cracks in your foundation will help prevent an influx of these creepy insects into your home. A professional pest control barrier on your home, maintained year round, will be your best bet to keeping your home millipede-free.
While millipedes don't bite, crushing a millipede may release toxins that, when they come in contact with skin or eyes, can cause irritation or pain. The Black and Gold Flat Millipede, common in Virginia, is one of these varieties. The toxins can also be released if the insect feels threatened, so if you touch one at all, wash your hands immediately to avoid irritation.
For even more information about unwanted pests in the Central Virginia area, check out our pest library
Comentarios