Insects with Lots of Legs, But Not a Centipede
Creatures with Many Legs in Spring
As spring arrives in the Garden State, many insects and bugs emerge from their hiding spots. It’s not long before you spot some fascinating creatures crawling around your home and yard. Among them, you may encounter scorpions and spiders. Despite having legs and a somewhat scary look, these creatures don’t always pose a threat. They tend to move quickly to avoid harm and stay out of your way.
The Scarier They Look, The Less Dangerous They Are
It’s easy to assume that the more legs a creature has, the scarier it must be. However, the possibility that these creatures will carry you off as a sacrifice to their bug king is highly unlikely. The more legs they have, the leggiest they become, but this doesn’t mean they are as scary as they look. Spiders and scorpions may have an intimidating appearance, but once you get past their cover, you’ll find they are often more afraid of you than you are of them.
Navigating Through Fear
When dealing with these creatures, the real threat is not the creature itself but your ability to navigate the situation calmly. Whether you are dealing with the scariest of creatures or just a bug king, staying composed is key. Even if their presence gives you the chills, most are just trying to find their way without disturbing you. Don’t judge a bug by its legs alone—this is part of their unique way of surviving and thriving in their environment.
Centipedes: Fascinating Creatures with Many Legs
The Mighty Centipede
Centipedes are moisture-loving bugs known for their massive number of legs, often reaching up to 380 in some species. These invertebrates are predators, using their fangs to hunt in tight spaces. They move swiftly, able to go forward and backward, allowing them to escape threats quickly. Though poisonous, they usually don’t attack unless threatened. Children may find them fascinating to play with, but a bite feels like a bee sting. Most people recover quickly, but some might be allergic to the venom.
House Centipedes: Harmless Yet Beneficial
House centipedes may look scary, but they are generally harmless to humans. They have poison glands but rarely bite unless provoked. Their eating habits make them beneficial in the home. They prey on pests like silverfish, carpet beetle larvae, cockroaches, and spiders. If you see house centipedes, it could indicate a pest problem that they can help manage naturally. Female house centipedes have 15 pairs of legs, with adult females having a notably long pair. Larvae start with four pairs of legs and develop more as they molt. They don’t survive in cold weather, but in warm environments, they thrive and reproduce.
The Stone Centipede: A Shiny, Ground Dweller
The Stone centipede is known for its shiny appearance and antennae. These arthropods are commonly found under mulch, leaves, bark, and stones. They primarily hunt small insects like sowbugs, millipedes, and others. Though they look intimidating, Stone centipedes are generally harmless to humans and help control smaller pests in the environment. Their heads and specialized legs help them move efficiently through their underground habitat.
Millipedes: Nature’s Leggiest Insects
The Mighty Millipede
Millipedes are often confused with centipedes, but they are larger and have more legs—ranging from 300 to 700 depending on the species. Unlike centipedes, millipedes tend to travel slowly and have eight legs per segment of their body. These creatures are some of the leggiest insects around, with species like thousand-leggers having 30-90+ pairs of legs. The record for millipedes is 375 pairs or 750 legs—that’s a shoe budget worth of legs!
Unique Traits and Defense Mechanisms
Millipedes use gonopods during mating to transfer sperm packets from males to females. They grow in stages and undergo successive molts, gaining more legs with each cycle. In their first instar, millipedes only have 3 pairs of legs, but by adulthood, they develop up to 700 legs. When threatened, millipedes release a smelly liquid as a defense mechanism, which may cause vesicular dermatitis or blisters on human skin.
Silverfish: The Sneaky Moisture-Loving Bug
Silverfish are snake-like bugs often found in moisture-rich areas like the basement or bathroom, especially near water leaks. These pests have six legs and distinctive bristled appendages at their back ends, making them easy to spot once you know where to look. Silverfish are climbers and can jump high, making them capable of hiding in creepy areas of your home. Their appearance may scare homeowners, and they move fast, which often makes them difficult to catch.
Control: Managing Pests Outdoors and Indoors
Outdoor Control
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To create unfavorable conditions for sowbugs, millipedes, and centipedes, seal cracks in exterior walls, doors, and windows.
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Remove leaf litter and decaying vegetation from around the foundation. Maintain a border of bare soil around the building.
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Trim and thin foundation planting to help the soil dry quickly, especially after waterings.
Indoor Control
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Sowbugs and millipedes will die quickly indoors, but excess moisture will keep them alive. Use a broom or vacuum cleaner to remove them, and set up sticky traps to kill them.
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Get rid of unnecessary boxes, bags, and clutter. Seal baseboards, cracks, and crevices where they may hide.
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Place a dehumidifier in damp areas to reduce moisture, and consider structural repairs to prevent further pest problems.
Conclusion
Understanding the various creatures with lots of legs in and around your home is essential for proper pest management. While insects like centipedes, millipedes, and spiders may seem intimidating at first, they often play important roles in the environment. Whether they’re predators, decomposers, or simply searching for shelter, most of these creatures are harmless and can be managed with simple preventive measures. By keeping your home and yard well-maintained, you can minimize pest problems and ensure a safer, more comfortable living space.
FAQs
What are insects with lots of legs, but not centipedes?
Insects like millipedes, spiders, and sowbugs have many legs but are not centipedes. They play important roles in the ecosystem, such as decomposing organic matter.
Are house centipedes harmful?
No, house centipedes are generally harmless to humans. They have poison glands but rarely bite unless provoked.
How do I get rid of silverfish in my home?
To get rid of silverfish, eliminate their food sources like starches and sugars, seal cracks, and reduce moisture in your home.
What attracts millipedes to my house?
Millipedes are attracted to moisture and decaying organic matter. Ensure proper drainage and eliminate wet spots to reduce their presence.
Are pillbugs harmful to plants?
While pillbugs may feed on decaying plant matter, they generally don’t harm healthy plants. However, they can occasionally damage tender vegetation.