MILLIPEDES
Millipedes are rarely destructive to properties, but they are unsightly and often unwelcome visitors to homes and businesses. TERRO® has several options to help you get rid of millipedes, and one of the first steps is to understand their habits and what attracts them.
Common Millipede Species
North American millipede
The North American Millipede (Narceus americanus) is common east of the Mississippi as well as nine other states – Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. It sports a gray exoskeleton with red banding.
These arthropods can be found in forest, agricultural, suburban and urban areas. With a permeable exoskeleton, they are prone to drying out and usually seek out high-humidity habitats.
Apheloria virginiensis millipede
The Apheloria virginiensis is a millipede that has no widely accepted common name, yet is fairly common in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic U.S., and Ontario in Canada.
This millipede, recognized by its distinct semi-flattened shape and a “Halloween” coloration, shouldn’t be touched. It is known to release a cyanide compound when threatened, so avoid contact when possible.
