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Pest Index

Millipede

Millipede

Binomial Name: Oxidus gracilisTausenfüßler auf weissem Hintergrund

Identification:

  • Overall Length: 15-30mm
  • Colour: Shiny brown
  • Other Features:  Two pairs of legs per body segment

Life Cycle:  After mating in the spring, eggs are laid in the soil, sometimes in clusters of 20-300 eggs.  These hatch in a few weeks to form six legged young.  During the moulting period more segments and legs are added until sexual maturity is achieved.  The life span can be several years.

Behaviour:  Millipedes are slow moving creatures.  They are active during the night and hide in dark, moist places during the day.  They feed on decaying plant material thus their preference for moist areas where decay is rapid.  Millipedes do not bite or sting but may give off an offensive odour if handled.

Signs of Infestation:  Common harboring sites include: beneath concrete slabs; behind baseboards; inside cement block walls; in floor drains; under and in cardboard boxes; wood piles; and in any damp, cool location such as a crawl space.