What are Centipedes?
Centipedes [right; more pictures of centipedes] are elongate and somewhat flattened predatory arthropods. Centipedes have a single pair of legs on each of their body segments whereas millipedes (Diplopoda) have two pair per segment. They range in size from very small (4 mm ~ 1/8″) to very large (150 mm ~ 6″). Larger centipedes can inflict a painful but non-venomous bite. As predators, centipedes are beneficial to gardeners and no attempt should be made to control them outdoors. They feed on a variety of small prey many of which are garden pests. Wear gloves when working around wood piles and other debris where centipedes are found to protect your hands from bites.
