What are Millipedes?

Sometimes called “thousand leggers,” they actually only have 30 to 90 pairs of legs. These arthropods typically live outside, feeding on damp and decaying matter such as leaves, wood, and other vegetation. However, they frequently enter a home in the fall when they migrate indoors to seek an area to hibernate. They may also retreat indoors to look for refuge when heavy rainfall and water levels rise outside.

Most millipedes grow between 1 to 4 inches in length, depending on the species. The first three or so body segments only have one pair of legs each, and the rest have two pairs each. Most are typically black or brown; some have a mottled pattern or bright red or orange markings. The millipedes with these bright colors often produce and secrete a toxic or bad-smelling substance they use in self-defense. Millipedes move slowly and have a rigid, subcylindrical shape.

What are Centipedes?

Centipedes are a type of arthropod with a flat, elongated, segmented body. Each segment has a pair of legs. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, but they are typically gray-brown and reddish-orange. Depending on the species, they can have between 15-177 legs; the number of pairs will always be odd.

House Centipede

Giant Red Headed Centipede

A centipedes lifespan varies depending on the species. Some live for a year, while others can live for 5 to 6 years. Like millipedes, centipedes prefer to live outdoors. However, there are reasons they may move indoors. If it gets too hot or dry outside, they will move into homes and other buildings through gaps and cracks in the foundation or doors and windows. People often find them in kitchen cabinets, in the bathroom, or in the basement, which is dark and damp.