Centipedes, Millipedes & Scorpions

Centipedes can be a hazard to humans because of their bite. Although a bite is usually only very painful, it can be very dangerous to small children and to those with bee sting allergies. A bite from smaller centipedes usually do not puncture the skin but from larger centipedes can induce Anaphylactic Shock in some people. Despite their names, Centipedes can have a varying number of legs. They can be shades of brown, blue and red and can be found in a wide variety of locations. They are found in soil, leaf litter, under stones and deadwood, and inside logs. Centipedes are predators, they move rapidly and mainly use their antennae to find prey. 

Despite it's appearance, this is not a deadly creature. It has a painful sting like that of a bee, but it does not have a neurotoxin like some of their cousins. This normally shy creature is relatively uncommon and active at night and preys on insects, spiders, millipedes and even small rodents. 

Millipedes are slow-moving and eat decaying leaves and other dead plant matter. Though they are not harmful to humans and most are non-aggressive, they can be a minor pest to gardeners by damaging plant seeds and stripping the outer layers of plant stems. Aggressive millipedes feed on earth worms, centipedes, and small insects. 

They are generally black or reddish-brown in color, though there are a few brightly colored ones. To protect themselves they curl into a tight coil protecting their legs in an armored body. They emit a poisonous liquid but it is fairly harmless to humans. Usually only skin discoloration, and irritated, itchy skin occur.