What are these worms in Florida?

What are these worms in Florida?

It’s an invasive species called the New Guinea flatworm and was discovered last year in Miami, now local and state officials are investigating. It was big news last year when these worms were found in Miami, now we’re learning they were also spotted in Cape Coral last September, we just didn’t know.

What kind of worm has a hard shell?

These harmless, hard-shelled, segmented worms feed on decaying organic matter in the soil and can be easily identified because they have two pairs of legs on each body segment. Millipedes live in the soil and often come out during the night and crawl around.

What are small hard shell worms?

What you do notice about millipedes is their size (1 to 1/14 inch) their color (very dark brown), their shiny, hard shell (crunchy), their long, cylindrical shape and their habit of curling into a coil when disturbed, handled or when they are dead. Millipedes are harmless.

Are Florida ivory millipedes poisonous?

The Ivory Millipedes is native to northern Florida through South Carolina, along the eastern coast of the USA. Interesting Information: Remember that millipedes are toxic – never allow young children to handle them unsupervised!

Are Florida millipedes poisonous?

Their bites are quite painful (think bee sting), but in general, their venom is not strong enough to elicit a reaction in people. Millipedes spray a “toxic” foul-smelling fluid as a means of defense. In some, the fluid causes an unpleasant skin reaction.

How do I get rid of millipedes in Florida?

You can use a broom and dustpan to sweep them up and dump them in a bucket of soapy water to kill them; or you can just vacuum them up with a vacuum cleaner or shop vac and dispose of them outside.

What is a millipede look like?

Millipedes range from 2.5 to 4 cm long, are brownish in color, are long and slender, and look a lot like worms with legs. They are segmented with 2 pairs of legs per segment. Millipedes are nocturnal and tend to move in large numbers. They are also scavengers, feeding on decaying plant material in and around your home.

What bugs look like millipedes?

Sowbugs, millipedes and centipedes are not actually insects, but are arthropods related to insects. They are NOT harmful to people, food, clothes, furniture, or other items within homes. They are found in moist, decaying leaf litter or other organic material found around building foundations.

How do I get rid of millipedes?

Tea tree oil and peppermint oil are the two most common for use against millipedes. Essential oils should always be diluted with water before use. Apply the oil mixture around entry points like windowsills, door gaps, basements, vents, foundation cracks, and crawlspaces.

What do Florida millipedes eat?

Diet. Florida ivory millipede are herbivorous. They eat many different vegetables or fruits, scavenging whatever happens to be available. Although they may eat fresh foods, most Florida ivory millipedes prefer fruits and vegetables that have started to turn slightly, becoming soft.

What kind of bug is a stinkbug in Florida?

Florida Predatory Stinkbug. Scientific name: Euthyrhynchus floridanus. This carnivorous insect is very beneficial to mankind, because most of its prey consists of plant-damaging bugs, beetles, and caterpillars.

What does a hard shelled worm look like?

Hard shelled worms about 1/2 to 1 inches long that curl into a tight circle when touched.

What is the rarest insect in Florida?

A small butterfly that is native to coastal areas of southern Florida. Once very common throughout its range, it has become critically endangered because of habitat loss. It may be the rarest insect in the United States.

Do you have plaster bagworms in SW Florida?

This is the fifteenth installment of 15 Household Bugs in SW Florida That May Freak You Out which can be downloaded from our free eBook library. If you’re at home, thinking “what is this freaky small gray bag hanging from my wall?” then you might have a plaster bagworm.