How To Get Rid Of Millipedes In The House

Millipedes are invertebrate animals distantly related to insects. While both are arthropods, millipedes aren’t insects, they’re something else entirely. Named for their many legs (though rarely actually 1,000 in number), millipedes are sometimes confused for centipedes or even wireworms.

Millipedes are very distinct creatures and can be easy to identify. Their long, segmented, brown to black bodies are tube-shaped with two or four legs per segment. Depending on the species and age of the animal, they can vary from about one half inch to over six inches in length. When perturbed, they can release a secretion that will cause chemical burns on human skin.

Millipedes vs. Centipedes

There may be some visual overlap between millipedes and centipedes, but the most telling characteristic is the number of “pedes” on each animal. Millipedes have two to four legs per segment, where centipedes have just one pair of legs per segment. In addition, millipedes often roll up into a coil when disturbed, where centipedes do not.

Getty Images

Where Are Millipedes Usually Found?

Millipedes are found in every corner of the United States, hiding under rotting vegetation or near rotting logs. They’re important decomposers that need moisture and decomposing plant matter to thrive, so are often noticed in gardens or under old mulch in the landscape.

Often, the first sign of a millipede infestation is seeing millipedes. For the most part, they don’t really infest homes, though they can grow numerous in gardens if conditions are just right. If you see a few millipedes in your home, it’s likely due to a moisture source that needs to be addressed.

Millipedes don’t really cause damage to homes, but can cause chemical burns to humans if handled with bare hands. This is a defense mechanism meant to protect them from predation. If your garden has a lot of millipedes, you may also notice that seedlings and fruits that have been touching the ground have been nibbled or otherwise damaged by millipedes.

Millipedes are important members of the garden clean-up team, and it’s very rare that you’ll ever see enough that they should be controlled. But on the off chance that you do, there are some pretty simple solutions to the problem.

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Millipedes

Most of the time, you can control millipedes without chemicals. Generally, habitat modification is the key to success. Dry up moist areas where millipedes are appearing, including basements and landscaping. They’re attracted to decaying matter, and they need the moisture to survive, so removing part of your mulch or compost layer can help quickly cut down numbers.

If you see millipedes in your home, you can simply scoop them up in a plastic cup and take them outside. Like other harmless insects that find their way inside, they really don’t want to be there anymore than you want them there. Vacuuming also works. Just be sure to wear gloves before handling millipedes to avoid chemical burns.

Millipedes are always present in the environment. Mature millipedes often overwinter in the soil or under leaves, and lay eggs in these same materials in the springtime. Because millipedes can live for years, many that you’ll see in the garden have simply been going about their business for quite some time undetected.

Although millipedes are rarely in need of professional removal service, any pest control company can help you with the problem. Most people scoop up the few problematic millipedes they find indoors and redeposit them in the garden, or vacuum them up and toss them in the trash.

Types of Treatment

Millipede treatment will depend highly on where your problem pests are and how many are present. If just a few are finding their way indoors from the garden, pest control experts might apply a barrier spray to help discourage them. It would be very unusual to need stronger pest control for these creatures.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Rid of Millipedes?

Much of millipede control involves managing moisture and decaying plant material, so cost can vary quite a lot, depending on how much of this must be done by a professional. However, a pest control company will charge between $250 and $550 for most common pests, including millipedes, depending on where you live and what control method will work best where the problem is. This doesn’t include plumbers or landscapers who may also be needed.

It can be tricky to prevent millipedes, since they live in the environment around your home, but you can minimize friendly spaces by reducing the amount of mulch you keep near your foundation, repairing any water leaks around your home that might draw millipedes in, and by not overwatering gardens.

You should also look for cracks in your foundation or gaps under doors that might allow millipedes to wander into your home. Sealing these small openings will ensure that millipedes can’t enter in search of moisture.

Millipedes are very misunderstood creatures that are very beneficial in the landscaping. Although they look kind of weird and sometimes even frightening, they’re just there to eat rotting plant matter and turn it into high quality soil.

Habits

Millipedes are commonly found where there’s a lot of moisture. In fact, they can’t survive without it. If you find them under mulch in your garden or near a pool, it’s because they need that high level of humidity to survive. Indoor millipedes rarely survive the day, since homes are usually too dry for them to breathe. They eat decomposing matter, and the occasional soft, tender plant shoot if populations are large.

Environment

Millipedes need rich, decomposing matter that’s very moist to live their best lives. This is usually found in a garden setting or in landscaping with a thick layer of mulch, but can also be found in wood piles, under rotting logs and in other places where mushrooms might thrive.

Threats

Millipedes pose almost no threat to humans. They rarely damage gardens significantly, and they don’t bite or sting. However, some species can release hydrogen cyanide when disturbed, which causes chemical burns to human skin. It can also be toxic to small animals if ingested in sufficient quantities.