Technically, they feed on the bacteria and fungi that are decomposing the vegetation, but in chewing and excreting the litter, millipedes encourage more bacteria and fungi by breaking the litter into smaller pieces, with more sites for biota activity. Millipedes will eat five times their weight in leaf litter between hatching and reaching maturity. One biologist estimated that millipedes can contribute two tons of manure per acre per year to the forest floor. Centipedes feed on any small arthropod, but prefer small insects. Prey includes beetles, slugs, spiders.
Centipedes hide in cracks and crevices during the day and come out to hunt at night.
After seizing the prey with its jaws, the centipede injects a venom to kill it. Control Control is usually not necessary, unless they invade the home. Cleaning up plant debris and eliminating wet areas is usually enough to control both millipedes and centipedes. Indoor populations can be eliminated with chemicals, but cleaning up breeding sites near the home is more important. It may be only necessary to treat a band of soil along a shaded side of the house to discourage invasion.