Millipedes live in every state across the country, but many people don’t know exactly what they are or where to find them. Millipedes in North Carolina and South Carolina can be found year-round in both states, but certain times of the year will make them easier to spot than others.

Follow these millipede facts to learn more about where and when to look for millipedes in North Carolina and South Carolina!

Are millipedes common in North Carolina?

Although millipedes are not common in North Carolina, they are fairly well-established. That being said, there’s a lot that you don’t know about millipedes that could help you avoid them and keep them from invading your home.

So where do millipedes live? Which types of millipede can be found in North Carolina? What should you do if one has already taken up residence at your house? This post will help set you straight about millipedes.

Are millipedes dangerous in North Carolina?

When most people think of millipedes, they think of the six-legged critters they ran over while walking through their local park. While these bugs are generally harmless, there are a few species found in North Carolina that can cause minor irritation if you come into contact with them.

According to Michael Raupp, professor of entomology at NC State University and an expert on arthropods, millipedes generally only produce mild symptoms when humans come into contact with them; most reactions are characterized by redness and itching that typically dissipates after several hours. However, he did note that some people have reported severe swelling—which is more common in children than adults—after coming into prolonged contact with millipede secretions.

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Are millipedes in North Carolina poisonous?

North Carolina millipedes, while they might seem scary with their long segmented bodies and potential to bite, are harmless creatures who can actually help fight pests. In fact, they’re considered good household pets because of their ability to hunt down other insects—not that you should let them loose in your house.

Keeping these helpful North Carolina millipede facts in mind is important as you consider whether or not you want to get rid of your own millipede infestation at home. Before we tell you how to get rid of North Carolina millipedes, it’s important that we answer one question: Are North Carolina millipedes poisonous? The answer is no.

What attracts millipedes to North Carolina?

It’s hard to say why millipedes are so prevalent in North Carolina, but it could be due to North Carolina’s climate. Millipedes prefer warm, moist environments—and there are few places that can offer that combination of hot and muggy as often as North Carolina. In fact, research conducted by Clemson University reveals that the total biomass of millipede orders is positively correlated with mean annual temperature.

Moreover, many species of millipede like moist soil because it allows them to burrow underground for protection during droughts. So whether or not you have an infestation problem with millipedes already, your neighborhood might have more than its fair share of these critters soon enough if conditions remain favorable for their growth.

Should I worry about millipedes to North Carolina?

There are over 2,700 species of millipedes known to science, most of which don’t cause human health concerns. However, some species can inflict pain with their pincers if handled carelessly or bite (though these bites are generally not poisonous). Additionally, some species may produce irritating secretions that may pose skin irritation issues.

When considering whether you should worry about millipedes in North Carolina homes and businesses, it’s important to know exactly what kind of millipede is present. There are approximately 300 kinds of native North Carolina millipedes—and they tend to be harmless.

North Carolina Millipedes Identification

Lookout for Giant African Millipedes North Carolina residents beware, giant millipedes are taking over! Although they are not harmful to humans, giant millipedes can cause structural damage when they find their way inside your home. They can be up to eight inches long with between 30 and 200 legs.

These foreign invaders have been spotted by homeowners all over North Carolina, including Raleigh and Cary, where they have been identified as Giant African millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas). The southern state of North Carolina is one of many places that has received an infestation of these non-native bugs…

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How to get rid of millipedes in North Carolina?

It’s easy to see why millipedes might not be your favorite insect. These slow-moving creatures often have legs that look like body segments, giving them an extra-creepy appearance. And while they may look like they belong in a science fiction movie, they’re actually quite common in North Carolina and South Carolina homes.

So what can you do if you start seeing them around your home? There are many ways to get rid of millipedes. Let’s discuss some options for keeping millipedes out of your house or business.

What causes a millipedes infestation?

When it comes to millipede infestations, numbers matter. Since millipedes are capable of reproducing at a rapid rate (approximately one per week), when numbers get out of control they can become an infestation. The length of time it takes for an infestation to occur varies from region to region and from household to household.

When conditions are right for them (which is usually during warm weather months), female millipedes deposit between 200-300 eggs per season, leaving them with about eight or nine generations each year. When temperatures reach above 45 degrees Fahrenheit, larvae begin hatching after 4-6 weeks—producing more than 2,000 additional millipedes over that same period.

Why are there so many millipedes in North Carolina?

For many people living in North Carolina, there’s nothing more disconcerting than finding a millipede crawling up their leg while they are sitting around with friends or reading. As you may know, millipedes aren’t known for their aggressive tendencies. However, there is one species of millipede that has caused quite a bit of panic over recent years: the giant African land snail.

This invasive species has found its way into North Carolina through shipments of vegetables and fruit from places like Africa. Although it can cause damage to crops, houses, and other parts of any building it gets into (including forcing people to abandon homes), people have also had adverse reactions to its mucus—although none have been life-threatening at present.

Black Millipedes in North Carolina

Northern black millipedes, common throughout North Carolina, are often mistaken for pillbugs (also known as sow bugs or roly-polies). The easiest way to tell them apart is by their size. Black millipedes can grow up to 3 inches long; pillbugs are much smaller at less than 1⁄2 inch.

Aside from size, another difference between these arthropods is that a black millipede’s body consists of many segments; pillbugs have one segment per body part except for their long legs. Like centipedes, black millipedes have numerous legs and an exoskeleton made of chitin. They eat decaying leaves and other vegetation.

Types of Millipedes in North Carolina

There are well over 2,000 known species of millipedes, but only 25 or so occur in North Carolina. Here’s what you need to know: Most millipede species feed off leaf litter or other dead organic matter (and their jaws aren’t strong enough to bite through human skin). They live under logs, rocks, leaves and bark.

The U.S. Forest Service estimates that there may be anywhere from one to five species per 10 square feet of forest litter! A few types are commonly found around homes: Striped Millipede (Ommatoiulus sabulosus) – reddish-orange with blackish longitudinal stripes; widely distributed throughout North America; up to 3 inches long by 1 inch wide.

Garden Millipedes in North Carolina

Garden millipedes are common garden creatures with long, leg-like structures that can have anywhere from 55 to 400 legs. They may be as long as four inches or more. The North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service says that these arthropods are not pests but are helpful because they feed on decaying plant matter, leaf litter, small insects and even other millipedes.

They mostly live in gardens, mulch piles or under boards where they lay their eggs. To deter them from your garden space make sure you have healthy soil filled with bacteria that decompose organic material—this will naturally deter millipedes from entering your garden. If they do enter your yard, don’t spray them—let nature take its course!

What are millipedes?

A millipede is a worm-like arthropod that has two pairs of legs per segment, giving it its name (milli-, thousand + pous, foot). There are over 10,000 species of millipedes in nearly 500 genera; most species have cylindrical bodies between 1/4 and 3 inches long.

They move slowly, with some species capable of speeds up to about 2 feet per minute. The term millipede refers to those members of one class of myriapods known as Diplopoda.

Why are there millipedes in my house?

While you might cringe at seeing large numbers of millipedes, remember that they’re only looking for food, water, and shelter. If you live in an area that is prone to millipede invasions—like near areas where you store firewood—you should make sure to keep your house sealed up as much as possible during times when invasions are likely (usually mid-July through mid-October).

Also make sure there aren’t any water leaks around your home, particularly under sinks or along pipes. And lastly, consider installing mothballs or diatomaceous earth around your house—millipedes dislike both of these smells.

How to prevent millipedes?

It’s true that millipedes are often found outside, but they can also be found inside homes. The first step to prevent millipede infestations is to seal off any openings where you see them or that could serve as entry points for other insects. You should also make sure to always maintain high standards of cleanliness, especially if you have pets.

This means keeping your house spotless and making sure your yard doesn’t become overgrown with vegetation that could become a hotbed for pests. In extreme cases, pest control may be necessary if you find yourself unable to exterminate all of these bugs without help.