Dakota Gardener…
Centipedes and millipedes are beneficial to the garden as they eat pests and rotting vegetation.
Centipedes in your garden may even be beneficial, as they tend to eat insects that could harm your plants. (Photo provided)
FARGO, N.D. — As I was planting early onions in my garden, I was surprised by a creature in my garden. I watched in amazement as it scurried across the soil looking for a place to hide. Thank goodness I had plenty of time to take a photo, because I found inspiration for my next garden column.
What was the creature that amazed me? A centipede, of course! Centipedes are a type of insect that are commonly found in gardens. Centipedes are not true insects, as they only have two body parts and the number of legs can vary.
Centipedes have one pair of legs per body segment. The number of segments varies from species to species and also depending on the habitat. In addition, centipedes have long segmented antennae. House centipedes and stone centipedes are commonly seen in this area. House centipedes have long, slender legs that are about an inch long, while stone centipedes are 1-2 inches long.
Centipedes prefer moist environments. In the garden, they live under rocks, in organic matter, or in the top layer of the soil. Centipedes are garden predators that use their fangs and sharp legs to catch prey. They secrete poison to trap their prey. Centipedes eat small insects, spiders, and even earthworms.
Centipedes usually avoid contact with humans and try to hide quickly. Although they can bite, the fangs of small centipedes are not strong enough to break skin. However, larger centipedes, such as the giant centipede, can be aggressive and their bites can be painful and require medical treatment.
Millipedes are a common garden insect that are easily mistaken for centipedes. Millipedes have a long, tubular body with two legs per segment. They are slow-moving and fangless. They are scavengers, feeding on decaying vegetation and helping to cycle nutrients in the garden. Be careful, as they will also eat ripe fruit at ground level.
Millipedes often curl up into a ball for defense, and they may also release chemicals to scare off predators. If these chemicals come into contact with your skin, it can cause skin irritation and discoloration.
Centipedes and millipedes may come into your home in search of cool, moist conditions. They do not cause any harm in your home and are more of a nuisance pest. Their presence can alert you to dampness in your home and, in the case of centipedes, other insect problems. Seal cracks in your basement, remove hiding places (boxes, etc.), and use a dehumidifier can help prevent centipedes from taking up residence in your home.
Both centipedes and millipedes are considered beneficial insects in the garden, which is why I was so happy to see one in my yard. Keep your eyes peeled this summer as you work in the garden, and see how many you can find.
Happy gardening!
— Carrie Knutson, NDSU Extension
