CENTIPEDE and MILLIPEDE EXTERMINATION AT
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Centipedes can easily be distinguished from millipedes by counting the number of pairs of legs arising from most body segments: millipedes have two pairs, while centipedes bear one pair per segment, with the first pair of legs being modified into fangs. Centipedes are generally flattened and have a pair of well developed antennae on the head. Some centipedes, such as the house centipede have long legs and are capable of running rapidly.
Centipede bites:
Some centipede bites can be hazardous to humans. Even though a bite to an adult human is usually very painful and may cause severe swelling, chills, fever, and weakness, it is not likely to cause death. Bites can be dangerous to small children and those with allergies to bee stings. The bite of larger centipedes can induce anaphylactic shock in such people. Smaller centipedes usually are unable to puncture human skin. The skin puncture results from the action of a centipede’s forcipules (pincer-like appendages) that would pierce the skin and inject venom into the wound. The centipede’s venom would cause pain and swelling where bitten, as well as other reactions throughout the body.
Life Cycle:
Simple metamorphosis. Centipedes and millipedes spend the winter as adults in protected habitats and become active in the spring. During the warmer months, females lay eggs in soil and cover them with a sticky substance, although some species give birth to living young. Immature stages (larvae) hatching from eggs several days later are similar to adults but smaller, having fewer leg-bearing body segments. Additional leg-bearing segments are produced with each molt. Millipedes develop through about seven stages (instars) in 21 to 25 weeks. Some centipedes are known to have lived up to 6 years.
Centipede Habitat, Food Sources, and Damage:
Centipedes and millipedes prefer to live in moist habitats and during the day. They can be found underneath rocks, logs and other objects in contact with the ground. They are active at night. Centipedes feed on insects and spiders. They kill by grasping prey with their powerful fangs and injecting venom. The fangs are located on the body segment just behind the head. Millipedes feed on decomposing organic matter, but will occasionally damage seedling plants by feeding on leaves, stems and roots. They curl up tightly when disturbed resulting frequently in the release of fluids from glands under their bodies.
Centipede and Millipede as Pest:
Centipedes are mainly a nuisance pests; though they have poison glands connected to a pair of jaws and will bite if provoked. The bite is usually not medically threatening except to small children and individuals allergic to venoms. The larger species have more painful bites.
Millipedes do not bite; but when disturbed they can produce an irritating fluid (using glands opening at the base of the legs). This fluid can irritate eyes, blister the skin, produce an unpleasant odor and cause allergic reactions in venom sensitive people. Some species can squirt their fluids several inches. Millipedes, such as the garden millipede , can become numerous in the greenhouse and damage crops. They may invade homes during cooler weather.