Millipedes

What are Millipedes?

Millipedes are small creatures, usually about two inches or less in length. However, they can grow up to about four inches in the southeastern United States. Millipedes are different from centipedes because they have two sets of legs on each side of every body segment, effectively quadrupling the amount that centipedes have. They also do not have fangs and are not poisonous. They are normally found in moist climates and conditions and they love to feed on decaying matter.

Are they harmful?

Millipedes can become overpopulated in and around your home. Very often when there are too many millipedes in one area, or living conditions become less than ideal, they will migrate to new locations. Because they seek to find areas that are moist or wet, they will often be found hiding in places such as crawl spaces, garages, and basements. For that reason it is difficult to get rid of them altogether. 

How can you treat them?

There are a number of at-home preventing tips including the following:

• Reduce potential breeding sites next to and near your home.
• Seal any cracks and holes in your home’s exterior to prevent millipedes from entering.
• Keep mulch and heavy vegetation, such as ivy, away from the foundation of your home.
• Determine the area where millipedes are originating from and remove the material that they are either feeding on or breeding in (leaf litter, mulch, etc.) if possible.
• De-thatch lawns when they become heavily thatched.
• Remember that total elimination of millipedes indoors may be impossible, especially when huge numbers are involved.

If you think that you might have a millipede problem please call us at 757-349-8818 or fill out a service form here on our site.