Some homeowners as early as late June have reported annoying populations accumulating in swimming pools. Fall migrations during rainy and cool weather may result as a natural urge to seek hibernation quarters. Millipedes do not bite humans nor damage structures, household possessions or foods. They can give off a disagreeable odor and if crushed, leave an unsightly mess.
Antennae are short, usually seven-segmented, and the head is rounded with no poison jaws.
Their short legs ripple in waves as they glide over a surface. They crawl slowly and protect themselves by means of glands that secrete an unpleasant odor. Life Cycle and Habits Millipedes can be long-lived, sometimes up to seven years. They overwinter as adults and lay eggs singly or in small groups in the soil. Some reach sexual maturity the second year, while others spend four to five years in the larval stage.