Centipedes and millipedes are both long, many-legged creatures that can be found in your yard or even in your house. But what are the differences between these two types of pests? And which one is more of a threat to your home?
Centipedes have segmented bodies and one set of legs per segment on the sides of their bodies. Their front “legs” are not actually for walking but for for injecting venom into the other insects they feed on. These fang-leg combos are unique to centipedes. Despite having this venom, their stings are not harmful to humans. Centipedes are creepy looking (the longest of the centipede species are 6 inches!) but are actually beneficial and eat other insects, such as cockroaches, silverfish, bed bugs, flies, moths and other spiders.
Millipedes also have segmented bodies but they are more rounded and have 2 sets of legs per segment directly under their bodies. Unlike the centipede, the millipede eats decomposing plants and wood and prefers to be outside, under your trash can, in piles of leaves, grass clippings or mulch, and flower beds. If you have millipedes in your home, it’s best to call a licensed pest control expert, as they can exude a substance that is toxic to animals and can cause small blisters on human skin.