Are you a person who once caught the image of a very rude and yellow-and-black living being in your backyard, or even lurking on your floor? If so, you have probably seen the bumblebee millipede. This amazing millipede has appealed to nature enthusiasts as well as the individuals who are concerned with household bugs in the United States. In this detailed explanation, we are going to discuss everything you must know about it, i.e. what the bumblebee millipede is, it is a matter of concern when a bumblebee millipede is in the house and most importantly: Are millipedes harmful? Also, you will find out whether the bumblebee millipede can bite and what it implies for your health or comfort at home.
The bold, bright yellow-colored bands interspersed with dark black colour that appears to have a bumblebee colouration characteristic features made this bumblebee millipede (Anadenobolus monilicornis) its signature name. Originally native to the Caribbean and southern region of South America, this tenacious millipede was accidentally introduce to the tail of the United States, or to be more specific, Florida, where it lives in and thrives on leaf litter, gardens, and subtropical forests.
Bumblebee millipede is physically small relative to other species and typically measures a maximum of 4in (10cm) in size. Again, like all millipedes, it has many legs (up to hundreds!), but does not move very fast despite so many feet. It has a hard exoskeleton made up of protein, chitin and calcium carbonate, and it sheds periodically to enable it to increase in size.
These insects are for the natural ecological environment. The bumblebee millipede is a decaying debris-eating animal that feeds the dead leaves, wood and other plant material in your yard or garden, breaking down into smaller compounds. They do this and other leaf litter and recycling do nearly 25% annually, where the population of earthworms are pale; thus, they play an important role in the vital soil.
It is not unusual to see a bumblebee millipede in house, although it may be surprising in its context. Generally, these insects come in small numbers only, and if they are there, it is most probably they are just searching for water or shelter from the heavy rain outside. They are not suitable as house pets because houses lack the high moisture that these millipedes require for life, and they are most probably going to become extinct very soon.
Most times, when you find a bumblebee millipede in your house, you get rid of the uninvited guest just by carrying it outside again. Millipedes are not the ones that destroy structures, and they also do not eat food and other things that they do not need in the house. It is normally not dangerous to your pets, children, and property, as they are usually temporary when at home.
Are millipedes Dangerous? Put it another way, millipedes do not pose any harm to human beings, pets or property. In contrast, the bumblebee millipede and other millipedes do not bite or sting, though, unlike their close cousins, centipedes, which can bite and inject their venom. Rather, when threatened, their first natural means of defence is to wind into a tight spiral in order either to protect themselves, or to emit a mild chemical fluid by special glands all over their bodies. Such a secretion does not necessarily smell strongly, and sometimes, on rare occasions, the sensitive skin gets irritated or becomes slightly discoloured when the casual fluid enters the eyes.
Most individuals only need to wash their hands using soap and water after contact with a millipede in order to get rid of the secretion. Allergic reactions are very uncommon and manifest as mild red patches or itching in the worst cases.
Among the common questions is whether you should be concerned about a bumblebee millipede bite. The solution: Bumblebee millipedes (and all millipedes) have so weak limbs that they are unable to bite people or bigger animals. Their mouths are made simply to scrape the soft, decaying plant material.
The millipede bumblebee defense is only chemical secretory and not a bite. It may bring slight skin irritation or even a slight allergic reaction. Eyes should not be in direct contact with the chemicals because even when they may be irritating, the effects may be temporary. The only exception is that if you accidentally burn or develop rashes or skin discolouration after touching a bumblebee millipede, in a very unlikely event, you have to simply wash the area and apply some soothing cream on your skin. There are almost no serious effects; the secretion is not poisonous to pets or humans in the minute quantities produced by such animals.
Key takeaways:
To sum up, bumblebee millipedes are a vividly coloured, good insect that is occasionally found in American houses, but they are not a danger to people, animals, or property. Nevertheless, if you happen to see a bumblebee millipede in your house, it will be a fact of no harm and certainly from your garden or yard rather than that of a pest for which intensive control is necessary. In the first place, are millipedes dangerous? But, to fight against those pests and keep our lawn fresh, the answer is: “No, No”, these peaceful recyclers serve a purpose to save our natural world.
If you wish for more expert advice or pest treatments that are specifically designed according to your needs, visit SayNoPest—your trusted supplier of intelligent, science-driven pest control and the most current knowledge to keep your home protected and comfortable.
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