Jun 25, 2021 | Pest Control
Although they are often confused with each other, millipedes and centipedes are two completely different pests. While both are classified as arthropods, the similarities end there. Which one is more dangerous to humans – millipede vs centipede?
Centipedes have bodies composed of many segments with one pair of legs on each segment. These long legs extend from the sides of their bodies and trail backwards behind them, making them very visible. These legs enable centipedes to move very quickly. They also have long antenna. Centipedes do have the capability to bite and are classified as predators, killing and eating their prey.
Millipedes, on the other hand, are the opposite. These arthropods have only 1 pair of legs on their first 3 body segments but then two pairs of legs for each body segment after those. Their legs are shorter and do not trail behind their bodies like centipedes do. These shorter legs make millipedes move much slower than their long-legged counterparts. Millipedes are also unable to bite. They are scavengers and do not kill prey to feed.
So which one is more dangerous? When millipedes are disturbed they will curl into a tight ball similar to a pill bug or “roly poly.” Since they are unable to bite, they emit a foul-smelling fluid that can cause irritation to the skin and eyes of humans if handled. Centipedes, on the other hand, will bite humans on occasion if they are disturbed. A centipede bite is similar to that of a bee sting, leaving behind a red bump that can swell, itch or sting. Despite these defensive mechanisms, neither millipedes nor centipedes are considered dangerous to humans or pets. Neither of these pests are known to transmit diseases or contaminate food, furniture, or plants either.
Although they aren’t considered harmful to humans, we still tend to be a little leery of their presence. You can prevent millipedes and centipedes by:
- Repairing any leaks and removing standing water from around your home. Remove any moisture-holding ground cover and organic material that is close to your home’s foundation. Moisture is necessary for the survival of both of these species.
- Store firewood away from the house and elevated off the ground. Inspect it for any pests prior to bringing it into your home.
- Seal any doors or windows that are low to the ground to help prevent easy entry into your home.
If you have a problem with millipedes or centipedes, contact your local pest control company who can help identify which of these pests you have, as well as help identify how they are getting into your home and the best method to eliminate them and prevent them from returning.
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Mar 5, 2021 | Pest Control
Millipedes are long, wormlike animals that are also referred to as worms, wireworms, and armyworms. While often mistaken for centipedes, millipedes are smaller (1 to 1-1/4 inches in length) with dark brown coloring and shiny, hard shells. They have long cylindrical bodies and have a habit of curling into a ball when they are disturbed. While the name millipede might imply they have thousands of legs, in reality they typically have 4 legs per body segment and at least 60 legs total, although some species can have up to 160 legs. Millipedes are harmless to humans as they cannot sting or bite. They also do not feed on plants or wooden structures. What they do feed on is decaying plant material and prefer damp, moist environments where they thrive. They are often found under leaves, plant debris, mulch, pine needles and other similar habitats.
While there is no set millipede season, they do go on mass migrations twice per year – once in the spring and once in the fall. These usually occur on warm, humid nights where they will emerge by the hundreds. Millipedes are outdoor pests so finding them inside your home means they have wandered in by mistake. In fact, millipedes cannot reproduce indoors. When these pests do make their way indoors, they are often found in garages and basements. Millipedes are nocturnal when they wander out of their hiding places roaming aimlessly. They eventually crawl back into holes or cracks (oftentimes in our homes) to escape the dryness of the impending daytime. They can often be found hiding under the edge of the garage door, in cracks along the exterior of your home, in sidewalk or driveway cracks, and in the gaps of your foundation.
Although millipedes are harmless, they can become a nuisance when they make their way into your home en masse. While there is no definitive millipede control method, the best practice is to try and keep them outdoors as best as possible. Because they often wander in through cracks and gaps, make sure these and other entry points around doors, windows, and foundations are sealed. They feed on organic material so keeping mulch, pine needles, and dead leaves away from your home will also help. Ensure gutters are not clogged and downspouts are angled away from foundations as this dampness will attract them in droves. Using insecticides on millipedes indoors is usually considered unnecessary as they will die in a short period of time due to lack of moisture. The best option to get rid of them indoors is to sweep or vacuum them up and discard them. Once the cold weather hits, they will become dormant… at least until springtime rolls around again!
If you have a problem with millipedes or any other household pests, contact your local pest control company for a free analysis.
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Jul 17, 2020 | Pest Control
Millipedes are common occasional pests that are found throughout the United States. While they typically live outdoors under leaves, mulch, compost, rocks, etc, they will come indoors for two reasons: in search of water during droughts or in search of shelter after heavy rains. They are often found infesting basements, garages, and crawlspaces. If you spot millipedes in your house, it is highly likely that they are breeding somewhere in your lawn.
Millipedes are decomposers meaning their diet primarily consists of damp, decaying plant material. Because of this, they are quite beneficial to have in your garden. While they are harmless to humans, millipedes can become a nuisance if they infest your home in large numbers. Prevention is the best method of millipede control. Here are some tips you need to know about how to keep millipedes away from your home.
Remove Attractants
If there is nowhere for millipedes to hide or breed then they can’t infest your home. Prevent millipedes by removing mulch, leaves, grass clippings, boards, woodpiles, rocks, boxes, etc. from your yard, especially if they are near foundations. If you are unable to remove them completely, try to elevate them off the ground. Try not to overmulch your flowerbeds.
Eliminate Moisture
What attracts millipedes is moisture, especially in crawlspaces and around foundations. Make sure your gutters are clear and properly functioning. Consider installing gutter guards to help prevent clogs. Make sure downspouts are pointed away from foundations and use splash blocks to keep water away from foundation walls. Consider installing tiles or drains or sloping the ground so water drains away from foundations. Repair any leaky pipes, appliances, or faucets. Reduce the humidity in your crawlspace and basement with dehumidifiers, sump pumps, or soil covers.
Maintain Your Lawn
Millipedes thrive in the moist layer of thatch that can accumulate on unkempt lawns. Keep your grass mowed short and dethatch the lawn as this will make it less appealing to millipedes. Try not to overwater your lawn. Don’t water your lawn at night as there is no sun to help evaporate the moisture.
Seal Them Out
Millipedes can enter your home through cracks in the exterior of your home or foundation. Seal any cracks or openings in the outside foundation. Use thresholds or door sweeps on all exterior doors. Caulk the outer edges of the thresholds. Seal any expansion joints where sunrooms, patios, and sidewalks are next to foundations. Seal any expansion joints or gaps at the bottom of basement walls.
Wait It Out
Millipedes can only survive for a few days once they get inside your home. The conditions indoors are too dry for them to be able to live long periods of time. The infestation will be short lived and eventually they will die off. Once this happens, you can sweep them up with a broom or vacuum them up.
Contact A Professional
While millipedes don’t cause damage to homes or to the health of humans, they can become quite a nuisance when they invade in large numbers. If you have a problem with millipedes or any other pests, contact a professional pest control company who can provide you with the most up-to-date prevention and treatment techniques.
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Aug 23, 2019 | Pest Control
Millipedes are arthropods (not insects) that are commonly found in damp, moist locations. They feed on decaying organic matter. Millipedes will usually hide during the day and come out at night when the humidity is higher and dew is present on the ground. Millipedes are often mistaken for centipedes – they have elongated, worm-like bodies with 2 pairs of legs on each segment of their bodies. They are usually about 1 inch long with a hard, round, cylindrical body that is brown to black in color. When they are disturbed or dead they will curl into a spiral.
Finding a millipede in the house is not common. They cannot reproduce indoors and usually only come inside when there is a period of extreme wetness (during the rainy season) or in search of somewhere to overwinter (usually in late Fall). Millipedes are most commonly found in gardens but when they do come indoors they are usually found in the garage, basement, or the lowest level of the home. Millipedes that wander indoors typically die in a short amount of time because of the dryness.
If a millipede does get into your home, are they helpful or harmful? Should you be concerned? Millipedes are NOT harmful to humans. They do not feed on buildings, structures, or furnishings. They also cannot bite or sting. In fact, they can be beneficial in your compost pile as they help to break down the contents. They can cause damage to your garden by destroying seedlings or feeding on vegetables; however, there is no need to eliminate them unless they are causing damage to your plants.
While a millipede infestation is rare, there are things you can do to help prevent these pests from getting into your garden or home. Here are some tips on how to get rid of millipedes:
- Eliminate moisture in garden areas where millipedes are often found or where their eggs can overwinter.
- Rake out any old mulch under plants and replace it with either fresh mulch or straw.
- Put piles of raked leaves into the compost pile away from your home or bag them for disposal.
- Aerate your lawn to reduce thatch.
- Move anything that could provide a habitat for millipedes away from your home (compost piles, firewood, stones).
- Elevate any of these items that cannot be moved.
- Install a band of gravel between foundations and flower beds.
- Seal any cracks in the outside foundation.
- Seal around the bottoms of doors and basement windows.
- Use a dehumidifier to decrease the humidity in your home.
- Water lawns in the morning so they can dry out by afternoon.
- Contact a licensed pest control company who can inspect your home for entry points and help set up a comprehensive treatment and prevention plan.
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Jun 20, 2019 | Alabama Blogs, Georgia Blogs, Pest Control
By Anna V., Editorial Lead — Pest Education · Last updated: May 2026
If you’ve walked into your basement or laundry room and found dozens of small, dark, segmented creatures curled up in tight spirals on the floor, you’ve met household millipedes. At Northwest, we get a sharp spike in millipede calls every spring and fall across Georgia and Alabama. The cycle is predictable: heavy rain saturates the outdoor environment where millipedes normally live, they move toward drier ground, and suddenly your basement or crawl space becomes the most appealing real estate in the county.
The good news: household millipedes are completely harmless. They don’t bite, they don’t sting, and they don’t carry disease. The less-good news: when they show up indoors, they usually show up in numbers. Here’s why they end up in Southeast homes, how to tell a millipede from a centipede (a common confusion), and what to do about an active indoor invasion.
What Are Household Millipedes?
Household millipedes are elongated, segmented arthropods with two pairs of legs per body segment. Despite the name (which translates to “thousand feet”), most species have between 80 and 400 legs. They’re typically dark brown to black, about 1 to 1.5 inches long when fully grown, and roll into a tight spiral when threatened.
Three things to know about millipede biology:
- Diet: Millipedes are detritivores. They eat decaying plant matter, leaf litter, rotting wood, and damp organic material. They don’t eat live plants, fabric, food in your pantry, or anything else inside a house.
- Habitat: They need moisture to survive. Outdoors, that means mulch beds, leaf litter, decaying logs, under stones, and the top layer of soil. Indoors, they’re drawn to basements, crawl spaces, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
- Lifespan: Most species live 1 to 2 years. They’re slow movers, slow reproducers, and not aggressive in any way.
Millipedes vs Centipedes (Don’t Confuse Them)
This is the single most common identification mistake we see homeowners make on millipede calls. The two creatures look superficially similar but behave very differently.
Millipedes are slow, harmless plant-matter eaters. Centipedes are fast, predatory, and can deliver a painful bite.
Quick reference for distinguishing millipedes from centipedes:
| Feature |
Millipede |
Centipede |
| Legs per body segment |
2 pairs (4 legs) |
1 pair (2 legs) |
| Body shape |
Round, tube-like, segmented |
Flat, more ribbon-like |
| Speed |
Slow, deliberate movement |
Fast, darting movement |
| Diet |
Decaying plant matter |
Other insects and small invertebrates |
| Defense |
Curls into a tight spiral |
Runs away, can deliver a mild bite |
| Danger to humans |
None |
Bite can sting, similar to a bee |
If you found something moving slowly, curled up when you got close, and looks tube-shaped, it’s almost certainly a millipede. If something darted away fast on flat legs, it was a centipede. Both can show up in the same conditions (damp basements, leaf litter), but treatment and concern levels differ. For the broader category of misunderstood “creepy” household pests, see our granddaddy long legs guide, which covers another commonly feared but harmless household visitor.
Why Are There So Many Household Millipedes in Your House?
Millipedes don’t choose to be indoors. They end up in homes because the conditions outside become inhospitable and your basement, crawl space, or laundry room offers what they need: moisture and shelter. Four conditions reliably push millipedes indoors in the Southeast:
Heavy Rain or Saturated Soil
The most common trigger for a sudden millipede invasion is a heavy spring or fall rainstorm. When soil becomes waterlogged, millipedes move to higher ground. If “higher ground” is the dry concrete of your basement floor, that’s where they go. We see millipede calls spike within 48 hours of major rain events across Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee.
Drought or Extreme Dryness
The opposite condition triggers a similar response. During extended dry periods, outdoor environments become too dry for millipedes to survive. They migrate toward any source of moisture, which often means crawling under doors, through foundation cracks, or up basement window wells to find indoor humidity.
Yard Conditions Around the Foundation
Yards that hold moisture against the house make millipede invasions more likely. The biggest contributing factors:
- Heavy mulch beds within 3 feet of the foundation (especially wood chip mulch)
- Leaf litter that accumulates against the house
- Decorative stones or wood timbers laid directly on soil
- Irrigation systems that spray foundation walls
- Downspouts that empty within 2 feet of the foundation
- Stacked firewood, lumber, or yard debris near the house
Indoor Moisture and Cracks
Millipedes can’t enter a house without an opening, and they can’t survive indoors long without humidity. Both have to be present. Common entry points:
- Foundation cracks at grade level
- Gaps under exterior doors (especially garage side doors and basement hatches)
- Unsealed crawl space vents
- Window wells with cracked or missing covers
- Gaps around utility line penetrations
- Weep holes in brick veneer that aren’t screened
Indoor conditions that let them stick around once inside: damp basements, leaking pipes, condensation on cold water lines, poor ventilation in crawl spaces, and standing water in floor drains.
Signs of a Millipede Presence
Most homeowners notice millipedes because they see them directly. Other signs to watch for:
- Live sightings on basement or crawl space floors, especially after rain or in early morning hours.
- Curled-up “dead” millipedes in dry indoor environments — the spiral defense posture also happens when they die from dehydration indoors. Finding several curled millipedes in a basement corner is a sign that more are entering and dying.
- Movement after rain. If you see a single millipede the day after a thunderstorm, you’ll probably see more over the next 48 hours.
- Clusters near damp areas like basements, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and crawl space access points.
- Shed exoskeletons in undisturbed corners, which suggests an established indoor population rather than just visitors.
Are Household Millipedes Harmful?
No. Household millipedes do not bite, sting, transmit disease, damage structures, contaminate food, or harm pets. They are completely harmless to humans and pets.
Three small caveats:
- Defensive secretions. Some millipede species release a mild liquid when handled or threatened. The secretion can stain skin briefly and irritate eyes if rubbed in. Wash hands after handling any millipede. Don’t let pets eat them in large numbers — the secretion can cause mild mouth irritation in dogs and cats.
- Allergic reactions. A small percentage of people have allergic skin reactions to millipede secretions. Reactions are mild (redness, itching) and resolve quickly.
- Dead millipede smell. Large numbers of dead millipedes in basement corners can develop a faint, unpleasant odor as they dry out. Vacuum them up promptly.
The UGA Extension Bulletin B 1412 on Southeastern household pests classifies millipedes as a “nuisance pest” — uncomfortable to encounter but not harmful.
How to Prevent Household Millipedes
The most effective millipede prevention works on three fronts: outdoor conditions, entry points, and indoor moisture.
A 3-foot mulch-free zone around the foundation is the single highest-impact millipede prevention move for most Southeast homes.
Outdoor Conditions
- Keep mulch beds at least 3 feet from the foundation. If you have mulch right against the house, that’s the single biggest contributor to millipede invasions. Replace the foundation perimeter with gravel, river rock, or bare soil.
- Remove leaf litter from the foundation line. Rake regularly during fall and after storms.
- Move firewood, lumber, and debris piles at least 20 feet from the house.
- Direct downspouts and irrigation away from the foundation. Pooling water within 2 feet of the house is millipede paradise.
- Trim shrubs back so air can circulate against the foundation. Damp, shaded foundation walls hold millipedes longer.
Seal Entry Points
- Caulk foundation cracks at ground level.
- Install or replace door sweeps and weatherstripping, especially on garage doors and basement hatches.
- Screen crawl space vents with galvanized 1/4-inch hardware cloth.
- Cover window wells with rigid plastic or metal covers.
- Seal gaps around utility line penetrations with steel wool and caulk.
Indoor Moisture Control
- Fix leaky pipes promptly. Even small leaks support indoor millipede populations.
- Run a dehumidifier in basements and crawl spaces.
- Improve ventilation in bathrooms and laundry rooms.
- Don’t store cardboard boxes directly on damp basement floors.
How to Get Rid of Household Millipedes
Once millipedes are already inside, the treatment approach is straightforward.
DIY Methods
- Vacuum them up. A regular vacuum with a hose attachment handles individual millipedes quickly. Empty the canister or bag outside afterward.
- Sweep into a dustpan. Slower but works for small numbers.
- Reduce indoor humidity. A dehumidifier in active areas often resolves an indoor population within a few weeks. Without moisture, millipedes can’t survive indoors.
- Skip insecticide sprays. Indoor sprays don’t work well on millipedes because they don’t stay in one place long enough to absorb the active ingredients. Sprays also leave residue that’s unnecessary for a harmless pest.
For ongoing prevention while you address the conditions, see our companion guide on natural ways to remove and prevent millipedes in your house.
When to Call Northwest
Most millipede problems clear up once you fix the outdoor conditions and seal the entry points. Call us if:
- Indoor sightings continue for more than 2 weeks despite your prevention efforts.
- You’re finding more than 10 to 15 millipedes per day in any single room.
- You can’t identify the entry points and want a professional inspection.
- You’re dealing with millipedes plus another pest (centipedes, sowbugs, springtails). All share the same moisture-driven entry pattern and can be solved together.
(Persistent millipede problem? Schedule a free Northwest inspection and we’ll find the entry points and address the moisture issues driving them indoors.)
Household Millipedes & Local Environmental Factors
Millipede pressure in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina is consistently higher than in drier or colder regions. Three Southeast-specific factors:
- Humidity. Long humid summers create constant indoor and outdoor moisture, which sustains millipede populations year-round.
- Heavy spring and fall rains. The Southeast’s two rainy seasons drive the two annual peaks in indoor millipede sightings.
- Construction patterns. Many Southeast homes have crawl spaces and slab additions with foundation features (cracks, vents, soffit gaps) that are reliable millipede entry points.
The good news: the conditions that attract millipedes also attract other “moisture pests” (sowbugs, springtails, centipedes, sometimes ground beetles). Fixing the conditions for millipedes generally fixes the conditions for all of them at once.
Frequently Asked Questions About Household Millipedes
Do millipedes bite?
No, household millipedes do not bite humans or pets. They have no biting mouthparts capable of penetrating skin. Some species release a mild defensive secretion when handled, which can briefly irritate sensitive skin. Wash hands after handling.
Are millipedes attracted to lights?
Not typically. Unlike many flying insects, millipedes don’t navigate by light. They’re drawn to moisture, organic matter, and dark sheltered spaces. If you’re seeing them near lights, it’s usually because the lighted area happens to have moisture or shelter nearby, not because of the light itself.
Will household millipedes go away on their own?
They can. If the outdoor conditions that drove them indoors change (rain stops, drought ends, mulch dries out), most millipedes will leave or die from dehydration within a few days. However, large indoor populations or homes with persistent moisture issues usually need active intervention to fully clear.
How long do household millipedes live?
Most household millipede species live 1 to 2 years in the wild. Indoors, they typically don’t survive long without consistent moisture access. The “dead millipede” curls you find in dry basement corners are often individuals that entered seeking moisture and dehydrated before finding any.
What’s the difference between a household millipede and a centipede?
Millipedes have 2 pairs of legs per body segment, move slowly, eat decaying plant matter, and curl into a spiral when threatened. Centipedes have 1 pair of legs per body segment, move fast, are predatory (they eat other insects), and can deliver a mildly painful bite. Both can show up indoors in similar conditions, but only centipedes warrant any caution.
Most millipede problems get solved by fixing the outdoor conditions and sealing the entry points — not by spraying inside.
Stop the Millipede Problem at the Source
If household millipedes keep showing up in your basement, laundry room, or crawl space, the answer almost always lies outside the house. Northwest’s team handles the full millipede workflow: identifying the moisture and entry-point conditions driving them in, sealing the access points, and addressing any underlying drainage or humidity issues. Most homeowners are surprised how much of the work happens around the foundation rather than inside.
About the Author
Anna V., Editorial Lead — Pest Education leads pest education content for Northwest Exterminating, working with senior technicians and service center managers across our Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina service areas to translate field expertise into homeowner-friendly guides. The focus: accurate, regionally-specific answers to the pest questions Southeast homeowners are actually searching for.
