How to Completely Eliminate Millipedes (Julus Species)? Treatment for Bites and Answers on Their Toxicity to Humans
The millipede, also known as the “Beijing millipede”, hundred-legged worm, thousand-legged worm, comb worm, hundred-jointed worm, stuffy-stick worm, hollow-tube worm, has a long and slightly flattened body, about 35 mm long, dark brown, with the sides of the back and walking legs reddish-yellow. It is a type of millipede, inhabiting moist farmland or under stone piles and in the shaded back sides of trees. So how do you completely eliminate millipedes? What should you do if bitten? Are they toxic to humans?
The millipede has a trunk of twenty segments. Segments 2-4 each have one pair of walking legs, and from segment 5 onward each has two pairs. The stink gland pores are on both sides of segments 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, and 15-19. It inhabits moist farmland or under stone piles and in the shaded back sides of trees, likes to live in groups, and feeds on humus. There are also records of it damaging crops. It is distributed throughout China. Life cycle: like other millipedes, the female lays eggs in a nest made in the soil. The young live in the soil in the early stage, while older young and adults search for food on the ground surface.
How do you completely eliminate millipedes?
The millipede inhabits moist farmland or under stone piles and in the shaded back sides of trees, likes to live in groups, feeds on humus, and easily carries bacteria. After scattering quicklime in places where millipedes frequently appear, their moist living environment will become dry, and millipedes will no longer breed there. You can also spray with “triazophos”, but people with skin allergies had best not use it.
What should you do if bitten by a millipede?
Millipedes generally do not bite people, but when touched or handled they can secrete a toxin that causes local irritation; in severe cases it can cause obvious erythema, herpes, and necrosis. Wash with plenty of soap and water, but be sure not to use alcohol. If the skin reacts, a topical corticosteroid may be applied locally; if the eyes are affected, immediately rinse them and apply corticosteroid eye drops or ointment.
Are millipedes toxic?
Millipedes are not venomous. Although millipedes have no venomous jaws, they have stink glands on their body segments that can secrete a toxic, foul-smelling liquid, making poultry and birds unwilling to peck at them. Moreover, accidental ingestion of millipedes by humans can cause allergic swelling of the lips and other symptoms. In addition, many species of millipedes have numerous repugnatorial glands that can produce toxic chemicals to deter predators.
Millipede Benefits and Effects
[Nature and Flavor] Pungent in flavor; warm in nature; highly toxic
[Functions and Indications] Breaks up abdominal masses and accumulations; resolves toxin and swelling. Mainly for abdominal masses and accumulations; distention and fullness below the ribs; unnamed swellings and toxin; scrofula; subacute sores; scrofula wind; white ringworm
[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: ground into powder, 0.3-1 g. External use: appropriate amount, ground into powder and sprinkled, soaked in wine and rubbed on, mashed or made into a paste and applied