Both animals are slow-moving, crawling arthropods. They require high moisture and are most active at night. When resting during the day, they may be found under trash, rocks, boards, under decaying vegetation, or just beneath the soil surface. A heavy infestation indoors usually indicates a large population outdoors. Mulches, grass clippings and leaf litter often provide the decaying organic matter they need to survive.
Breeding can occur throughout the year in Florida.
The female carries the eggs in a brood pouch on the underside of her body. Often there are 7 to 200 eggs per brood. The eggs hatch in 3 to 7 weeks and the young remain in the pouch another 6 to 7 weeks. Once the young leave the pouch, they never return. Some species produce only one brood per year, but others may produce 2 or more.