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Identify?

Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2022 2:45 pm
by mdf
I live in east Texas and keep finding these dead in my house. What are they and how do I prevent them from coming in the house?

Re: Identify?

Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2022 3:32 pm
by alandmor
It's a millipede of some kind and I wouldn't be overly concerned. This is from one of the links below:

"Millipedes are harmless; they do not feed upon building structures or furnishings and they cannot bite or sting. However, millipedes can be annoying as accidental invaders in houses and other buildings when they migrate into buildings over night. Millipedes are usually found in the garage, basement or lowest level although they may wander into other parts of the house. Millipedes in greenhouses, gardens and potted plants may be annoying but do not feed on the plants unless the plant is laready damaged or decayed."

Preventing them from entering would mean sealing up all possible points of entry which is usually not practical or necessary. I hope this helps.

https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/millipedes

https://bugguide.net/node/view/37

Re: Identify?

Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2022 4:46 pm
by livingplanet3
Specifically, it's a polydesmid, or "flat" millipede -

https://bugguide.net/node/view/97382

I see these millipedes around my area all the time, and they frequently enter buildings, perhaps in search of moisture, or cooler/warmer temperatures.