Millipedes in Atlanta, GA
Millipedes, commonly known as “thousand leggers”, are arthropods that play a crucial role in ecosystems as decomposers. These creatures are characterized by their long, segmented bodies and multiple legs, typically numbering between 34 and 400. Millipedes primarily inhabit outdoor environments where they feed on decaying wood, vegetable matter, and plant debris. While generally harmless to humans, many millipede species have a defense mechanism involving glands that secrete a noxious odor to deter potential predators. Millipedes are present throughout the entire United States.
Millipede Habitat
In their natural environment, millipedes primarily act as scavengers, feeding predominantly on decomposing organic material. While they may occasionally nibble on young plants, the resultant damage is typically minimal. With a strong reliance on moisture, millipedes prefer to stay concealed beneath objects during daylight hours. Nighttime prompts these arthropods to venture beyond their natural habitats, crawling across sidewalks, patios, and foundations. Particularly during specific seasons, such as autumn, millipedes may migrate in significant numbers into buildings.
Millipede Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Although millipedes may enter buildings in significant numbers, they neither bite, sting, nor carry diseases, and they do not infest food, clothing, or wood. Their presence is primarily a nuisance. Millipedes are commonly observed in crawl spaces, damp basements, and ground-level structures. Frequent indoor sightings usually indicate a large breeding population outdoors, beneath mulch, leaf litter, or debris close to the foundation. Due to their moisture dependence, millipedes cannot survive indoors for an extended period unless conditions are exceedingly moist or damp. If you are grappling with an abundance of millipedes on your Atlanta, GA property, seeking assistance from the experts at Inspect-All Pest Services is recommended.
