Calendar | Logan County Extension Unit | Ag News Elsewhere [fresh daily from the Web]


Millipedes on the move

By John Fulton

Send a link to a friend

[October 13, 2010]  The last week has found the lowly millipede taking homes by storm. If millipedes were insects, they would deserve "insect of the week" honors. Since they are not insects, we'll just dub them "pest of the week."

HardwareWhat 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.

[to top of second column]

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]

< Recent articles

Back to top


 

News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries

Community | Perspectives | Law & Courts | Leisure Time | Spiritual Life | Health & Fitness | Teen Scene
Calendar | Letters to the Editor