They belong to theMyriapodasubphylum, a group that comprises multi-legged species of various types.
Neither of these creatures causes damage or disease, nor do they nest and breed indoors.
What About Pesticides?
The Spruce / Alison Czinkota
For all but exceptional cases of massive numbers of invading pests, indoor pesticide use is not recommended.
What Causes Millipedes and Centipedes?
Once indoors, millipedes andcentipedes often hide in cracks and crevicesover winter, emerging in spring.
House centipedes are attracted to damp spaces, and this includes drainsMotionshooter / Getty Images
Keeping outdoor areas around the house free of leaf litter and brush will reduce outdoor populations.
Allow the ground around foundations to dry out thoroughly between waterings of plants and shrubs.
A granular form of lambda-cyhalothrin or permethrin works well for this.
Dixie Allan
These arthropods grow 4 to 12 inches in length and are so docile that they are readily handled.
Thus, large centipedes are usually not handled if they are kept as pets.
Millipedes and centipedes are relatively easy to care for in terrariums.
In the case of millipedes, these creatures help in the breakdown and consumption of decaying plant material.
Centipedes are carnivores that consume many harmful insects and other small creatures in the landscape.
Both millipedes and centipedes add nutrients to the soil through their excrement.
When found outdoors in the garden, there is no reason to have a go at eliminate these arthropods.
Indeed, they are a sign of a healthy outdoor ecosystem.
It’s only when they stray indoors that control measures may become necessary.
In other areas of the world where centipedes are often larger, their bite can cause burning pain.
Millipedes do not bite but may secrete a toxin that is irritating to the skin and eyes.
Managing Pests Around the Home.
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.
Centipede and Millipede Bites.
