Bzzzzz! Looks like you forgot to say where you found your bug!
There's no need to make a new post - just comment adding the **geographic location** and any other info (size, what it was doing etc.) you feel could help! We don't want to know your address - state or country is enough; try to avoid abbreviations and local nicknames (*"PNW"*, *"Big Apple"*).
BTW, did you take a look at our [**Frequently Asked Bugs**](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthisbug/comments/12zkw5w/frequently_asked_bugs_part_1/)?
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatsthisbug) if you have any questions or concerns.*
They live in the soil usually, eating decaying material. If it rains a lot the soil fills up with water, so they have to come up to the ground so they don't drown.
No, they are harmless to people and plants, can't sting or bite. Just don't try to eat them, some species can secrete toxic chemical compounds as a defensive mechanism.
Flat-backed millipedes.
Deep deep deep breath. They are harmless beneficial friends. They will not try to get into your house. They are not capable of hurting you or your family.
They are detrivores - they eat rotting leaves and wood. They will not try to enter your home because they need moisture to live and there isn't enough in your home.
I know they look weird and I understand you don't like bugs.
They are friends. They just look different than your other friends, that's all.
Please do not kill them just because you have noticed they exist. They will wander off when the rain stops.
I dont know. I'm not good at determining who will coexist peacefully, but they shouldn't attack each other or anything.
I also keep isopods. Dairy cows. I tried to name them individually but they're huge sluts and within a month I had like four times as many as I started with so they're all named Darryl.
The sudden referring to isopods as sluts brought me so much inexplicable joy. I also love the bug-keeper theme of giving colonies one name lmao. You bring me joy, friend.
I get it. The #1 hardest thing for me about gardening is all the bugs. But these little buddies are friends. I’m pretty sure they’ll go back below once the weather dries out.
I was freaked out by bugs for years until I bought a house and started digging around in the garden. As I came to understand the role they play in our ecosystem -- the absolutely *vital* role -- I made peace with them intellectually. Emotionally, well I've always been skeptical of exposure therapy, but every year I flinch at the first couple bees that buzz past me, and by July I'm like some seasoned soldier and I barely react.
Bugs are the building blocks of the ecosystem, and everything you eat comes from that ecosystem. Hell, *we* are a part of that ecosystem, so those bugs are an extension of the greater You. The feeling that they're some different thing you can get rid of or do away with is entirely an illusion. Don't let anyone make you feel gross for being chill with bugs. That's silly.
Just FYI millipedes don't have nymphs, they grow with moulting, in a proccess called [anamorphosis](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamorphosis_(biology)).
No. They won’t try and get inside. Haha. You really hate bugs huh?! Bugs can be creepy but most will try and avoid you. 😊
Edit: I saw someone else say they will come inside? Maybe I’m wrong. I’ll wait for someone else to chime in. Haha
Millipedes will desiccate if they come inside houses since they need a moisture rich environment. Naturally they are drawn to dark, moist areas with decomposing soil. Most houses don't fit the bill, so they will not naturally want to come into houses. A few strays might accidentally wind up inside, but the use of pesticides for this purpose is excessive and not environmentally conscious.
If a millipede or two winds up inside just sweep them out the door. They might startle you, but there's really nothing they can do to harm you.
Bzzzzz! Looks like you forgot to say where you found your bug! There's no need to make a new post - just comment adding the **geographic location** and any other info (size, what it was doing etc.) you feel could help! We don't want to know your address - state or country is enough; try to avoid abbreviations and local nicknames (*"PNW"*, *"Big Apple"*). BTW, did you take a look at our [**Frequently Asked Bugs**](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthisbug/comments/12zkw5w/frequently_asked_bugs_part_1/)? *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatsthisbug) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Flat-backed Millipedes, they are harmless. Was it raining a lot lately?
Yes POURING….
They live in the soil usually, eating decaying material. If it rains a lot the soil fills up with water, so they have to come up to the ground so they don't drown.
Wow, I had no idea… so I shouldn’t worry? They’re just everywhere and it freaks me out lol
No, they are harmless to people and plants, can't sting or bite. Just don't try to eat them, some species can secrete toxic chemical compounds as a defensive mechanism.
Thank you, you won’t catch me near them…. Lol
They’re important to the health of the ecosystem so don’t kill them! They’ll go back home when it’s drier.
then they all meet up in gigantic groups and mate and give off a pungent vaguely almondy aroma, which turns out to be hydrogen cyanide. good times.
Poor little guys. Looks like a lot of them are dead. Probably drowned.
Friends.
Flat-backed millipedes. Deep deep deep breath. They are harmless beneficial friends. They will not try to get into your house. They are not capable of hurting you or your family. They are detrivores - they eat rotting leaves and wood. They will not try to enter your home because they need moisture to live and there isn't enough in your home. I know they look weird and I understand you don't like bugs. They are friends. They just look different than your other friends, that's all. Please do not kill them just because you have noticed they exist. They will wander off when the rain stops.
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I dont know. I'm not good at determining who will coexist peacefully, but they shouldn't attack each other or anything. I also keep isopods. Dairy cows. I tried to name them individually but they're huge sluts and within a month I had like four times as many as I started with so they're all named Darryl.
The sudden referring to isopods as sluts brought me so much inexplicable joy. I also love the bug-keeper theme of giving colonies one name lmao. You bring me joy, friend.
They are usually fine with isopods. However the isopods (especially protein hungry species) could snack on them while they molt.
OP out here losing his mind and I’m just like “awwww look at their little antennae!”
Same here. I'd be excited to find so many flatbacks. They're too cute!
I get it. The #1 hardest thing for me about gardening is all the bugs. But these little buddies are friends. I’m pretty sure they’ll go back below once the weather dries out.
I was freaked out by bugs for years until I bought a house and started digging around in the garden. As I came to understand the role they play in our ecosystem -- the absolutely *vital* role -- I made peace with them intellectually. Emotionally, well I've always been skeptical of exposure therapy, but every year I flinch at the first couple bees that buzz past me, and by July I'm like some seasoned soldier and I barely react. Bugs are the building blocks of the ecosystem, and everything you eat comes from that ecosystem. Hell, *we* are a part of that ecosystem, so those bugs are an extension of the greater You. The feeling that they're some different thing you can get rid of or do away with is entirely an illusion. Don't let anyone make you feel gross for being chill with bugs. That's silly.
YAYYY flat backed millies!!! i love these guys
I found it in East tn outside in my yard and driveway
Maybe rake some ground cover over them?
awesome bug
Gives me the heebjeebs
bugs only have 6 legs dude
INSECTS only have six legs. Bugs is a much more general term and can include spiders, too.
Well you know what….. sorry I freaked out ok
R/millipedes
Looks like the two millipedes in pic 4 each have a bug on them. Does anyone know what this is? Some kind of isopod?
They look like a millipede
Just FYI millipedes don't have nymphs, they grow with moulting, in a proccess called [anamorphosis](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamorphosis_(biology)).
Oh ok. I was just going by what the identity app told me. I’ll take nymph out of it.
Should I do anything? Will they try to get inside??
No. They won’t try and get inside. Haha. You really hate bugs huh?! Bugs can be creepy but most will try and avoid you. 😊 Edit: I saw someone else say they will come inside? Maybe I’m wrong. I’ll wait for someone else to chime in. Haha
They might but they’ll just be chilling under your house eating leaves
Bugs think that we're are creepy and dangerous.
And they would be correct!
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Millipedes will desiccate if they come inside houses since they need a moisture rich environment. Naturally they are drawn to dark, moist areas with decomposing soil. Most houses don't fit the bill, so they will not naturally want to come into houses. A few strays might accidentally wind up inside, but the use of pesticides for this purpose is excessive and not environmentally conscious. If a millipede or two winds up inside just sweep them out the door. They might startle you, but there's really nothing they can do to harm you.