They are simply a nuisance by their presence. Each body segment has two pairs of very short legs. They do not bite, unlike some centipedes which have one pair of legs per body segment and tend to be faster moving. In nature millipedes are scavengers and feed mainly on decaying organic matter. They occasionally feed on young plants but the damage inflicted is seldom significant.
Millipedes have high moisture requirements and tend to remain hidden under objects during the day.
Around buildings they are common under mulch, leaf litter, compost, boards, stones, flower pots, and other items resting on damp ground. Another frequent hiding place is behind the grass edge adjoining sidewalks and foundations. Adult females lay up to a few hundred eggs in soil, leaf litter, etc., and the immatures pass through a series of molts, gradually increasing in size. Millipedes often leave their natural habitats at night and crawl about over sidewalks, patios, and foundations. At certain times of the year, especially during autumn, they may migrate into buildings in great numbers.