Millipedes: What You Need to Know

Need to get rid of millipedes? Read on to learn the answers to all of your important questions. Need help? Call our professionals today to get started.

What Are Millipedes?

Millipedes, sometimes referred to as “thousand leggers,” are arthropods — invertebrate animals that have an exoskeleton. Typically, millipedes are found outdoors, but they will occasionally find their way into homes, offices and other places where people live and congregate. They are nocturnal scavengers that tend to move around in large numbers. If you are worried about a millipede infestation, other than sightings of millipedes themselves, you won’t find much other evidence they are there.

Millipedes aren’t dangerous to people or homes. They don’t bite humans or cause any damage to your home or food but can become a large nuisance if you find an infestation in your garden or greenhouse.

What Do Millipedes Look Like?

Millipedes are typically only about 2 inches in length, though some species of millipede found in the South East portion of the United States can be 4 or more inches. They are typically brownish in color and are long and thin. They sort of look like long worms with legs. A millipede’s body is segmented. Attached to each segment of the millipede’s body are two legs—one on either side.

What Do Millipedes Eat?

Millipedes are scavengers and feed on decaying plant material around your home. You will often find them in damp places in your yard like mulch, compost, rotting wood, flower beds and under piles of leaves or rocks. 

You might find millipedes in your home if your area is experiencing excess rain or drought either of which will drive them inside in search of more favorable accommodations. Because they tend to gravitate toward damper environments, you might find them in moister areas like your laundry room, basement or crawlspace. 

How Do Millipedes Get Into My Home?

For the health of your home, you should seek immediate help in getting rid of termites. Termite eradication is a job for trained professionals. A pest control expert can inspect your home and provide you with an estimate for remediation. Be prepared to replace any parts of your home that have been damaged by termites and be aware that most homeowner’s insurance policies don’t cover damage made by termites. That’s why you’ll want to find a pest control provider that guarantees their service and will inspect your home annually to make sure those pesky critters don’t come back.

What Should I Do About Millipedes In My Home?

Most likely, your home does not really provide the kind of environment that a millipede needs to thrive, so most will die fairly quickly once they get inside due to lack of moisture. If they are in your home, they may be hidden under furniture, boxes, or any piles of clothes or other items.

If you suspect you have a millipede problem, your best course of action is to call a trusted pest control specialist to set up an inspection as soon as possible. In a pinch, you can vacuum millipedes from your floors and walls, but to truly rid yourself and your home of millipedes, you need to call a pest control specialist who will find and seal any entry points and may involve chemicals formulated for the successful removal of millipedes. 

Call Pest Control Experts today to get a free quote and to schedule your home pest inspection as soon as possible!