OK, so millipedes aren’t technically insects. They are arthropods and more closely related to crabs than bugs. In the garden they can usually be found in mulch or other decaying plant matter. We have seen two types at the garden, the one pictured at the right and another that looks similar but is a reddish brown color.
They are beneficial to the garden since they break down dead plant matter into something that is useful to the plants.
Many people believe that millipedes are dangerous and release toxins for defense. This is partly true. However, the millipedes that we have don’t release anything that is harmful to humans. At worst they might release something that can stain your skin.