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Portuguese Millipedes were introduced into Australia in the 1950’s and have colonised Southern parts of Australia rapidly since then. They are not harmful to animals or humans, but they can be a significant nuisance when they invade homes and gardens in large numbers.
Portuguese Millipedes (Ommatoiulus moreletii) will emerge with Autumn and Spring rains, they are attracted to light which is why large numbers may be spotted on light coloured walls. Lacking natural predators in Australia, the millipede has flourished to plague proportions.
Identification: Dark grey/Black in Colour, 20-45 millimeters long. Smooth & Cylindrical in appearance.
Reproductive females can be seen mating during the autumn activity period, following which the female deposits 60–80 eggs in a chamber 1-2 cm deep in the earth. The eggs develop in the late summer to early autumn. When threatened, millipedes defend themselves by spiralling around in on themselves. This safeguards their delicate undersides.
Methods of treatment may include:
Do you have garden beds near the perimeter of the home? Or perhaps you have a large vegetable garden?
Portuguese millipedes prefer to live in areas of leaf litter, mulched garden beds and ground area covered with plants. These millipedes are also highly active at night and are attracted to light. We often tell our customers to switch off external lights and limit the amount of garden and mulch material close to the home.
Residual insecticides applied in a broad band at the bottom of doorways, walls and windows will keep millipedes away from the house, but control over the entire garden is likely impossible.
Millipedes are a difficult pest to treat and the best way to keep millipedes out of your house is to stop them from getting in.
03 6268 5397
You may get tired of having to broom up hundreds of millipedes every morning and regardless of what measure you put in place; you just can’t seem to prevent millipede infestations.
The most effective way to treat millipedes is to put chemical barriers in place using commercial quality Insecticides.
Portuguese millipedes reproduce in autumn and early winter in Tasmania. They begin mating in March or April and lay most of their eggs in April and May.
Portuguese millipedes are attracted to lights. Turn off external lights which are close to buildings and minimise the escape of light from buildings through use of curtains, blinds and weather-strips on doors. Millipedes are also attracted to humid groundcover and mulch.
Residual chemical barriers at least one metre wide present millipedes with a treated surface wide enough to kill them before they enter a property. Chemicals will also be applied to the outside walls, paths and garden beds or any other areas where there is high millipede activity.
Millipedes protect themselves by exuding a horrible smelling gas. Many people will be familiar with the pungent smell of the Portuguese Millipede, and it is for this reason that most predators will steer clear.
Paula Clancy
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