The Myriapods are centipedes and millipedes , and some small relatives. Centipedes and millipedes look similar to each other; they both look a little like worms with lots of legs. Actually they are arthropods, they have a tough exoskeleton and jointed legs, and they are related to insects and crustaceans.

CentipedesMillipedesSymphylaPauropoda

Although their name suggests they have myriad (10,000) legs, myriapods range from having up to 750 legs (the millipede Illacme plenipes) to having fewer than ten legs.

: any of a group (Myriapoda) of arthropods having the body made up of numerous similar segments nearly all of which bear true jointed legs and including the millipedes and centipedes.

Chilopods

Worms are classified into three major phyla, or groups. They are flatworms, roundworms, and segmented worms.

Mention that centipedes actually undulate their bodies slightly while walking. Then, a millipede. Millipedes move their legs in a wave like motion from the front to the back. Both pairs of legs in a segment move up at the same time and as they start to go back down the next two pairs of legs are already coming up.

Centipede bites can be very painful to people. The larger the centipede, the more painful their bite may be. All centipedes use venom to kill their prey. Centipede bites rarely cause health complications in humans, and aren’t typically dangerous or fatal.

Most millipedes have from 40-400 legs with the maximum number of legs reaching 750. Millipedes move their legs in a wave-like undulation along their body propelling themselves forward (or backward!)

Millipedes, which look like centipedes with an extra pair of legs on most of their body segments, are an essential part of tropical ecosystems for their role in decomposing vegetation and cycling nutrients back into the soil.

Centipedes have a head on only one side of their body and they will die if cut in half. Centipedes can detach some legs to help them escape from predators, but the notion that centipedes can regenerate body parts was confused with earthworms, which do have that ability.

House centipedes are known for killing pests in your house that are completely unwelcome. They kill roaches, moths, flies, silverfish, and termites. If you want to get rid of house centipedes for good, the trick is to get rid of the food they source on. Try to get rid of the household pests that they prey on.

Centipedes feed on pests that you already have in your home. If you see centipedes, it could be a sign that you have another insect infestation on your hands. Centipedes eat spiders, earthworms, silverfish, ants, and flies.

To get rid of centipedes in your home, thoroughly clean damp areas of your house, like the basement, bathroom, or attic and remove their hiding places. You can kill centipedes you find with Ortho® Home Defense Max® Indoor Insect Barrier with Extended Reach Comfort Wand®.

House centipedes prefer damp and dark areas. As a result, homes with moisture problems can attract these pests. Residents may see them in basements, closets, or bathrooms, sometimes even in tubs or sinks. House centipedes will prey on insects that are in the same areas.