When this happens, numbers can increase dramatically. As they crawl about, they will enter houses, accumulate on carports, and fall into swimming pools. Description and Habits Millipedes are elongate with many body segments and legs. Body length will vary from one half inch to four inches, depending on species. The body is rounded on top and flat on the bottom and the integument is hard, similar to that of the beetles.
Millipedes are herbaceous and feed mainly on decaying plant material.
These animals are inactive during the day and may be found in forest floor litter, mulched flower beds, dense thatch in lawns or in deep grass along drives and sidewalks. Movement and feeding occur at night. Their nocturnal habit is related to water conservation. Millipedes do not have a lipid layer over the integument as do insects, nor can they close the tracheal openings. These factors make the animals very susceptible to water loss if they are not in a moist environment.