 What are millipedes? They belong to the arthropod class Diplododa, which means double-footed. The reason is simple: They
have two legs per body segment. There are over 1,000 types of
millipedes. They prefer to live in moist places, such as under
mulch, in flower beds, in good-quality lawns and under wood.
They feed on decaying organic matter and occasionally on tender
leaves or roots. Millipedes lay eggs in the soil in spring and
summer months and usually overwinter as the adults that we are
seeing now.The big problem with millipedes is that they
migrate. Right now they may be migrating through your living
room. Nobody knows for sure why they migrate, but the best
guesses involve searching for food sources, seeking moisture and
looking for a warmer place to overwinter.
Unlike centipedes, millipedes don't bite or sting. They do
give off a bad odor when disturbed or smashed. Be careful
crushing them on carpeting, as they can cause a stain.
If you're not sure whether you have millipedes or centipedes,
here are some differences: Centipedes have one leg per body
segment while millipedes have two; centipedes normally have much
longer legs than millipedes; and centipedes move rapidly while
millipedes move slowly.
Now that we know a little about millipedes, how do we get rid
of them?
Well, there isn't a simple answer (or I'd
be rich and everyone else would be happy), but an integrated
program gives the best results. A program that uses both
chemical and nonchemical methods is usually most effective.
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 Nonchemical controls aim at removing the moist resting places.
Dethatch your lawn to reduce that damp thatch layer just above the
soil surface; closely mow and edge the lawn to allow it to dry
quickly; remove debris that provides hiding places; pull mulch away
from the house; water grass in the early morning; and keep leaves
from piling up along the foundation. The crumbling leaf material is
an ideal cover and food source for millipedes.
If millipedes get inside the house, the vacuum cleaner is
probably the best control. It is nonchemical and prevents stains
from smashed millipedes. Other controls in the home are sticky
boards such as are used for mouse control, aerosol sprays that are
used for flying insects and baseboard sprays used for ants.
Outside the house, start with a foundation spray of something
such as propoxur, bifenthrin, permethrin or Sevin. Spray the
foundation and the adjacent foot or so of soil, plants and lawn.
Make sure you treat doorways and other openings as well. Since
millipedes aren't insects to begin with, don't expect complete
control with a chemical spray program.
Fall tree planting
Fall isn't a bad time to plant trees; however, the rule is "the
earlier -- the better." Many sales occur in the fall, and it is a
good time to buy. Planting at the earliest possible time will allow
for roots to recover from injury, in the case of dug trees, or to
grow, in the case of container stock.
Where soil amendments and fertilizer are needed, it is best to
add and incorporate before planting. Mulching will also help retain
moisture and even out soil temperatures. Use 2 to 4 inches of a
good-quality mulch. With the dry weather, it is also a good idea to
give all your perennials a good watering before soils become frozen.
[By
JOHN FULTON,
University of Illinois Extension, Logan County] |
