interesting collection of ? 'goodies'

[Mentat]

If they are attracted to water Lynn; maybe a trap with water and some coco (like a very shallow lid) could entice them to congregate and then just remove/dispose of it in morning .

[flybyferns]

If they are attracted to water Lynn; maybe a trap with water and some coco (like a very shallow lid) could entice them to congregate and then just remove/dispose of it in morning .

Thanks Carlos,
Actually the coconut 1/2 is working really well.
I just grab it and rinse. Sadly, I'm rinsing the other 'clean-up' crew as well

[flybyferns]

OK
So........ I have completed my duties. Thank you for all the help

The first (smaller batch) I collected in the palm of my hand did not have such a terrible smell.
It reminded me of almond extract.

The second, much larger batch, I squished was much stronger.
It reminds me of Houttuynia cordata (Chameleon Plant) - which is grown as ground cover in moist areas here in NY.

They DO, most definitely have, 'crusty' bodies-gritty

I found these 2 photos on-line:



So, it turns out they are not so uncommon. But can become an 'infestation"
I guess I will be more diligent about getting them out of there?
I was up late and have found lots of interesting information regarding them:

-Many opinions are ----> It's not a bad thing.
-They may 'slowly' disappear.
-One can bomb the tank with dry ice or CO2[/I] - ( yeah! I might have to resort to this ? lol)
-Some zoos purposely introduce them because they are great janitors.
-They are ( like Jeff mentioned ) one of the prime toxins in their natural diet and likely came from one of the 'rainforest' plants that are established in this enclosure, most of my plants come from one supplier. ( fitting they should be in the P terribilis enclosure )

very interesting - a quote of some information I was reading last night <quote> :
( I apologize -- I forget where this was ? )

<"As you know, poison frogs lost their toxicity in captivity when kept on the usual cricket-fruit fly-springtail diet. There is an outside chance that your frogs could synthesize toxins from the millipedes, but in all likelihood they would need to consume species native to their natural environments in order to do so. This did occur at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, when frogs were released into a large rain forest exhibit, but the millipedes involved had been transported their with plants from Central America. In any event, just be sure not to handle the frogs with bare hands, and wash well in general when working around them...could be an interesting situation you have there! ">

Check it out !
Poisonous Prey | Bad smell, Bad taste and Powerful Poision | Animal Defense Mechanism

I will have to sit myself in front of their tank a watch them very closely. The male's favorite spot is in a low (very damp ) section of the enclosure. I wonder if he is picking them off ? Although, I have not seen him do it.

Some photos of their enclosure this AM:





Very odd , They are only in this one enclosure; of which is up and running for over a year and 1/2 ! I have not put anything new in it for months and months. I NEVER take a plant from one enclosure and put it into another (thank goodness). For my frog's protection, ( 8 species) I wear a new pr of gloves for of every tank I work in during regular maintenance tasks.

[JeffreH]

Nice research, Lynn! And beautiful enclosure!

I think the almond smell you describe is what is often associated with what MIGHT be hydrogen cyanide gas; or at least, I've read that it is a genetic trait in some people to smell an almond fragrance from this volatile. Although hydrogen cyanide is toxic at high concentration in a confined space, I don't think these millipedes are a threat to your frogs... It is a pretty common defense in millipedes from my understanding... It is also a common secondary metabolite in plants (i.e. your Chameleon Plant) to deter herbivore attack. Not only are the frogs likely equipped with the metabolic tools to handle this, but even if they can't, the defense is purely a deterrent. The frog should find the millipede so foul that it should immediately spit it out when it tastes the noxious defense... and given that these things are so small and will only secrete the chemical upon individual attack, I think its fair to bet that the frog has figured out that they are unpalatable by now.