Why Do I Keep Finding Millipedes In My House?

Summer brings all kinds of seasonal surprises. Some are great—like spur-of-the-moment trips to the beach and invites to a new friend’s backyard pool. Others are not so great — like week-long heat advisories and unwelcome house guests in the form of creepy, crawly critters. One of my least favorite summer surprises (which actually isn’t much of a surprise anymore) is the arrival of our once-early millipede infestation. Every year, when the weather takes a turn for the warm in May, we unwillingly welcome our basement’s seasonal tenant — an infestation of tiny millipedes that seem to scatter all over the carpet with no rhyme, reason, or identifiable inlet. If you’ve experienced a similar phenomenon, here’s your guide to understanding where the critters come from, what brings them in, and how to keep them out.

What Are Millipedes?

Millipedes are common arthropods that are identified by having two pairs of jointed legs on most body segments. For the most part, they’re slow-moving detritivores, which means they feed on decaying leaves and other dead plant matter. They don’t bite or sting and are generally harmless to humans, but can be a nuisance to homeowners, despite their size at only a few centimeters long.

Millipedes generally live underground in damp and dark places. Around your home, they’re drawn to live around dead leaf piles, mulch, flower beds, and rocks. In certain numbers, they can be helpful to gardens as they break down organic material that will fertilize plants. But in large numbers, they can be detrimental because they may eat the roots, stems, and leaves of living plants due to an absence of sufficient dead material.

What Brings Millipedes Inside?

Millipedes are attracted to cool, damp places, so when summer heat makes the conditions outside too hot and dry, millipedes often migrate inside in search of more favorable living conditions. In addition, it it becomes too wet outside due to heavy summer rain, they’ll also seek shelter indoors. Basements, crawl spaces, and garages (where it’s often cool, dark, and damp) are especially vulnerable to millipede infestations.

How To Get Rid Of Millipedes In Your Home

There are several ways to rid your home of millipedes. The first — and the method we most commonly employ — is to simply vacuum them up with a shop vac or other vacuum. You can also buy liquid insecticides or insecticide granules to spray or sprinkle around your home’s foundation and exterior walls. You’ll want to pay special attention to doors, windows, and other possibly entry points where millipedes could be entering your home. Natural deterrents like essential oils and cayenne pepper can also be sprinkled or sprayed around problem areas.

How To Prevent Millipedes From Entering Your Home

Once you’ve successfully rid your home of millipedes, there are several steps you can take to keep them from coming back. First, you’ll want to inspect the foundation and crawl spaces of your home and remove anything that could cause a build-up of moisture. This could include dead plants, piles of leaves, stones, or other debris. Second, check for water that’s not draining properly. Are there frequently pools of water collecting around your home’s foundation? They could be attracting millipedes. The same goes for leaky pipes or faucets inside your home. Finally, look for any gaps, cracks, or openings in doors and windows that enter your house and have them both caulked and sealed to keep unwanted pests outside