Millipede menace

I’ve seen a lot of millipedes lately. Initially they were only outside, mainly in semi-rural areas on the fringe of town. I virtually tripped over them while out walking.

millipede

At Robe on the weekend they were everywhere.

I haven’t given much thought to millipedes before, probably because I haven’t previously encountered them in such prolific numbers as here.

The CSIRO has declared the imported black Portuguese millipede “a nuisance pest” in southern Australia.

A native of Portugal, it was accidentally introduced to Australia, first appearing in South Australia at Port Lincoln in 1953.

It has now spread throughout southern Australia.

I guess being close to where the little buggers first landed means we may encounter more than our fair share.

The CSIRO says it is not harmful to humans, but can occur in plague numbers, invading houses, contaminating food and infesting carpet and bedding.

To discourage predators, the millipede releases a pungent yellowish secretion when disturbed. This may stain skin or clothes and is extremely irritating if rubbed into the eyes.

Charming.

The Age reports Victorian homes are being invaded by black Portuguese millipedes revelling in ideal conditions created by recent rains.

“The critters are being seen in their largest numbers in eight years, says Melbourne Zoo’s invertebrates specialist, Patrick Honan.”

Rainy weather in spring, and particularly autumn, stimulates activity.

Mr Honan’s advice:

“The best thing to do is to not squish them. If you can, sweep them up and put them outside. They actually don’t like being inside and certainly don’t breed inside but they come inside because often there’s just so many of them.”

I don’t like them being inside either, and it’s difficult not to squish them.

Interesting trivia, courtesy the CSIRO:

Although millipede means “thousand feet”, they don’t really have that many. Most species have more than 30 pairs of legs and some are known to have about 350 pairs.

Curiously, the CSIRO is not researching millipedes, despite the nuisance value and potential threat to crops.