WHAT TO DO ABOUT THESE PESKY MILLIPEDES IN AIKEN

How many legs does a millipede have? What is the difference between a millipede and a centipede? If you’ve got questions about the millipedes in Aiken, you’re not the only one. Here’s what homeowners should know about how to identify millipedes, whether they’re venomous, what attracts them to Aiken homes, and how to get rid of millipedes permanently with pest control in Aiken.

How To Identify Millipedes

What is a millipede, and how can you identify them? With over 1,000 different types of millipedes, their size and coloring can vary, but they do have a couple of recognizable features that set them apart.

Most millipedes have around 300 legs, and they have two pairs of legs per body segment. This is different than centipedes, who only have one pair of legs per body segment. On average, many millipedes grow close to an inch in length and have a coloring that ranges from orange and brown to gray.

Here are some other key facts to understand about millipedes:

• Millipede means “one thousand,” but most millipedes have less than half that many legs.
• Millipedes are arthropods, and many people consider them to be docile creatures.
• If they think there’s a threat nearby or feel the need to protect themselves, millipedes will roll their bodies up into a spiral shape so that they can keep their vital organs safe.
• Millipedes are one of the few arthropods with longer lifespans, and some millipedes can live up to 10 years.

The most common type of millipede in South Carolina and Aiken is the garden millipede, which grows close to an inch long and can cause trouble in gardens.

Are Millipedes In Aiken Venomous?

While centipedes may have a reputation for being venomous, millipedes are not. Millipedes are docile, gentle creatures that can’t bite or sting people, but they do have one defense mechanism to keep us on alert. Certain types of millipedes secrete a toxin from the glands on the side of their bodies that can be irritating to human skin.

If you try to pick up or interact with a millipede, they may secrete this fluid, which could cause minor discomfort or burning. If a millipede sprays you, wash your hands immediately, and make sure you don’t rub your eyes with stained hands. While the reaction to this toxin is incredibly mild in most people, some people can have allergic reactions to millipedes.

If a millipede secretes fluid on your skin and you notice these symptoms, you should seek medical attention:

• Hives
• Blisters
• Spreading rash
• Swelling and redness
• Burning and itchiness that doesn’t go away

While millipedes are essentially harmless nuisance pests aside from this defense mechanism, you are still unlikely to want them on your property.

What Attracts Millipedes To Aiken Homes?

The big question that many homeowners have is why do I have a millipede infestation? Millipedes can wander onto your property by accident, but you can also attract them and end up with a millipede infestation.

Many millipedes, including Aiken’s common garden millipede, prefer to spend their time outdoors. Dark, moist, and humid environments attract millipedes, and they also seek decaying plant matter to eat. For this reason, you may find millipedes hiding under rocks, debris, or even in the soil of your garden.

However, if the conditions aren’t quite right outside, millipedes can also migrate inside – especially if your home has a food source and enough moisture. If you keep plants in your home, or part of your house has too much moisture and humidity, you’re more likely to deal with a millipede infestation.

How To Get Rid Of Millipedes For Good

While millipedes may be docile, their appearance can be unsightly, and getting too close to them could cause discomfort if they secrete toxins onto your skin. Not to mention, these arthropods can live close to a decade, which gives them plenty of time to terrorize your Aiken property.

When it comes to getting rid of a huge millipede infestation, working with Aiken Pest Control is the most effective way to do so. As the trusted choice for pest management in South Carolina for decades, we prioritize effective treatments that permanently get rid of pests and excellent customer service that never makes you feel like you’re out of the loop.

If you’re seeing millipedes in your Aiken garden or home, you could be attracting them. Contact us today at Aiken Pest Control to learn more about how we can help you get rid of those pesky millipedes with our residential pest control service.