Home  /  Other Pests  /  Centipedes  /  Centipedes and Millipedes 

Centipedes and Millipedes

Although they resemble insects, centipedes and millipedes both are classified as arthropods. Insects have three body segments. Centipedes and millipedes have many segments. Insects have three pair of legs but centipedes have one pair of legs on each body segment. Millipedes have two pair of legs per body segment.

Millipide Illustration
Millipide Illustration

Centipedes are carnivorous and kill their prey by injecting them with venom. While centipedes sometimes bite humans, it is rare that their venom will produce a severe reaction. However, small children and those with other insect allergies should be watched carefully following a centipede bite. In locations with particularly exotic specimens, a medical professional should be contacted at once.

Centipedes prefer moist, protected outdoor habitats such as rotting logs, leaves, bark and the undersides of stones. Centipedes mate during warm months and can live as long as six years. The house centipede, or Scutigera coleoptrata, will nest indoors in moist areas and is common throughout the United States. House centipedes eat cockroaches, moths, houseflies and other insects.

Millipedes feed primarily on decaying organic matter and they may eat the roots and leaves of seedling plants.

How Many Legs Does a Centipede Have?

What is the Difference Between Centipedes and Millipedes?

Number of Legs on a Centipede

Centipede Venom

Centipede Eggs

Centipedes Reproductive Cycles

What Do Centipedes Eat?

Centipede Larvae