Thanks for your interest in our blog.

Millipedes release irritation chemical secretions when they are disturbed – some monkeys and birds rub millipedes on themselves as a type of “insecticide”! Always be sure to wash well after handling a millipede, as these secretions can irritate eyes, cuts and other membranes – latex gloves are the best protection.

You may be seeing the dried residue from such a secretion, or perhaps a chemical lain down by the millipede to attract a mate. If the exoskeleton has been cut or damaged, body fluids leaking out could also leave a residue (this not likely if the millipede is feeding, acting normally).

It’s not likely related to moisture, but in any event the terrarium’s humidity should be kept high.

Good luck and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Thanks for your interest in our blog.

Millipedes do take a bit of work, but there are some rewards – some have been bred over several generations, teaching us a great deal in the process.

The mites commonly seen on millipedes are almost always harmless and feed upon organic material that sticks to the millipede and droppings, shed skins, etc., They usually arrive via terrarium substrate, logs, etc., or on the millipedes themselves. They can be controlled by swabbing the millipede with a bit of cornstarch-based body powder, which causes desiccation but in small amounts does not harm the millipede. Parasitic mites are rarely if ever seen on millipedes.

Good luck and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.