Nov 10, 2022 | Pest Control
While often mistaken for each other, millipedes and centipedes are distinctly different pests. Although commonly referred to as insects, they are actually not – in fact, they are more closely related to lobsters and shrimp. 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. 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.
Both of these land dwelling creatures prefer moist environments with high humidity. Most are nocturnal, as well. While neither carry diseases that can harm humans or pets, they can be a nuisance when they make their way into your home. Centipedes can bite, although this is rare. They do have poison glands and can cause skin irritation when a bite occurs. Millipedes feed on stems and leaves and can cause damage to gardens. They can also leave a stain if crushed. Both species can be a nuisance when they invade your home in large numbers.
Although there is no set season for millipedes and centipedes, they do come out in large numbers twice per year: in the spring when they lay eggs and in the fall when they prepare to overwinter.
Preventing centipedes and millipedes can be accomplished with these tips:
- Remove their hiding places. Get rid of any trash or debris piles, rocks, boards, and leaf or compost piles that can hide them.
- Seal them out. Make sure windows and doors seal tightly and cracks and crevices are caulked.
- Get rid of water. Repair any leaks and remove 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.
- Call the pros. If you have a problem with centipedes, millipedes, or any other household pests, contact your local pest control company for a customized treatment and prevention plan.
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Feb 9, 2022 | Pest Control
Millipedes are common household pests that are brownish-black in color and that can grow to about an inch in length. Also known as “thousand-leggers,” these pests don’t actually have 1000 legs. They do, however, have 2 pairs of very short legs on each segment of their body. They are often confused with centipedes which only have 1 pair of legs per body segment. Millipedes crawl slowly and will curl into a “c” shape and remain motionless when they are disturbed. They can also secrete an unpleasant smelling odor.
Millipedes overwinter as adults and lay their eggs in the spring. They can live for several years. They are scavengers, eating primarily decomposing vegetation. They are attracted to cool, dark, moist environments (like compost piles, flower beds, mulch, rotting logs, and under rocks and logs). When the weather is hot and dry or there is an overabundance of water, they will emerge and make their way into your home in search of moisture or shelter. They can infest in large numbers but they don’t bite, sting, transmit diseases, infest food, clothing, or even dry wood.
Millipedes will come indoors for a variety of reasons. When the weather is hot and dry, they will invade your home in search of moisture. When conditions are extremely wet they will be forced to higher ground (e.g. concrete slabs, foundations, and siding). In the fall they migrate in search of places to overwinter. In these conditions, they will make their way into your home through door thresholds (especially garage and sliding glass doors), through expansion joints, and through voids in concrete block walls. Millipedes cannot survive indoors more than a day or two.
Millipede Control
Now that you know more about millipedes and what attracts them to your home, what can you do to keep them from infesting your personal space?
- Get rid of debris. Get rid of any leaves, grass clippings, heavy layers of mulch, wooden boards, boxes, stones, etc. that may be laying on the ground near your foundation. Keep mulch cover light and at least 6 to 12 inches away from foundations. Use inorganic mulch if possible.
- Eliminate moisture. Keep water from accumulating near foundations, inside basement walls, and in crawlspaces. Keep gutters and downspouts clear of debris. Use splashguards to reduce puddling. Consider installing gutter guards to prevent clogs. Repair leaking spigots outside. Prevent puddling near AC drip lines. Dehumidify your crawlspace and basements with dehumidifiers, adequate ventilation, and sump pumps. Consider enclosing your crawlspace for additional protection.
- Lawn care. Aerate your lawn to dethatch and make the soil less attractive to millipedes. Keep grass mowed close. Avoid overwatering the lawn and set sprinklers up on an appropriate schedule.
- Seal entry points. Eliminating entry points is the best way to keep millipedes from sneaking in. Seal cracks and openings in foundation walls and around door and windowsills. Install door sweeps on all exterior doors. Apply caulk on the bottom outside edge and side of door thresholds. Seal expansion joints where patios, sunrooms and sidewalks touch foundations and along the bottom of basement walls.
Chemical treatments indoors are usually not very effective against millipedes. If you have them inside just sweep or vacuum them up and dispose of them. Chemical treatments outdoors can help keep them from crossing the threshold inside. If you have a problem with millipedes, consider calling a professional pest control company for an evaluation and treatment plan.
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Apr 9, 2021 | Pest Control
Millipedes are common pests that can be found just about anywhere in the United States. Most of the time they can be found outside under leaves, mulch, compost, and rocks, although occasionally they will come indoors – in search of water during droughts or in search of shelter after heavy rains. They can usually be found infesting basements, garages, and crawlspaces. If you find a millipede in your home, there’s a good chance they are breeding somewhere on your lawn.
Millipedes are decomposers with their diet primarily consisting of damp, decaying plant material. Because of this, they are quite beneficial to have in your garden. Millipedes are harmless to humans but they can become a nuisance if they are present in large numbers. Prevention is the best start to millipede control. Keep millipedes away from your home with these millipede prevention tips.
Get Rid Of Moisture
What attracts millipedes is moisture, especially in crawlspaces and around foundations. Keep gutters clear and in good repair. 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.
Get Rid Of Attractants
If there is nowhere for millipedes to breed or hide, they can’t get into your home. Keep millipedes out 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.
Keep Your Lawn Maintained
Millipedes thrive in the moist layer of thatch that can accumulate on 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 at night since there is no sun to help evaporate the moisture.
Seal Your Home
Millipedes can get into your home through cracks in the exterior. 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.
Be Patient
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 The Pros
While millipedes don’t cause damage to homes and aren’t harmful to humans, they can become quite a nuisance when they infest 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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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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Nov 6, 2020 | Pest Control
By Anna V., Editorial Lead — Pest Education · Last updated: May 2026
If you’ve found millipedes in your house and want to get rid of them without spraying chemicals, you’re in the right place. At Northwest, we run millipede calls across Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina nearly every week during the spring and fall rainy seasons. The good news: millipedes are harmless (no bites, no stings, no property damage) and they respond well to natural removal methods. Most homeowners can solve a millipede problem in their house with a few changes around the foundation, a dehumidifier, and some basic sealing. No pesticides required.
Here’s the realistic version of natural millipede control: what actually works, what doesn’t, and what to do when DIY methods aren’t enough.
A cluster of millipedes along a basement baseboard usually shows up within 48 hours of heavy rain.
What Are Millipedes and Why They Enter Homes
Millipedes are segmented arthropods that thrive in moist, dark environments. They eat decaying plant matter, not your home, your food, or any living thing inside. They’re slow movers, they don’t bite, and they don’t carry disease. They’re a nuisance pest, not a hazard.
Three things drive millipedes into Southeast homes:
- Wet weather and saturated soil. Heavy spring or fall rain pushes millipedes from their outdoor habitat (mulch, leaf litter, soil) toward drier ground. Sometimes that drier ground is your basement.
- Drought and dehydration. Extended dry weather has the opposite effect — millipedes seek any source of moisture, which can include indoor humidity from bathrooms, basements, and crawl spaces.
- Foundation conditions. Mulch beds against the house, leaf litter near the foundation, downspouts emptying close to the wall, and ground-level cracks all combine to make your home the easiest moisture refuge in the neighborhood.
For more on why millipedes appear and how to identify them (including the millipede vs centipede confusion most homeowners run into), see our companion guide on why there are so many household millipedes in your home.
Signs of a Millipede Infestation
Most millipede problems are obvious. You see them moving on the floor or curled up dead in corners. Other signs:
- Live sightings in basements, bathrooms, garages, crawl spaces, or laundry rooms.
- Trails of curled, dehydrated millipedes in damp corners. They enter looking for moisture and die when they don’t find enough.
- Clusters near entry points: gaps under doors, foundation cracks, basement window wells.
- Movement within 24 to 48 hours after a major rain event.
- Shed exoskeletons in undisturbed corners (suggests an established indoor population).
Natural Methods to Get Rid of Millipedes in Your House
The most effective natural millipede control isn’t a product. It’s removing the conditions that attract them in the first place. Five categories of natural methods, ranked by effectiveness.
Moisture control does most of the work. Essential oils are short-term help at best.
1. Remove Moisture Sources (The Most Effective Method)
Millipedes can’t survive indoors without moisture. Remove the moisture, and the indoor population resolves itself within days. Steps:
- Fix all leaky pipes and faucets. Even slow drips support indoor millipede populations.
- Run a dehumidifier in basements and crawl spaces. Target relative humidity below 50%. Most home improvement stores carry units in the 30 to 70 pint range; a 50-pint dehumidifier handles most Southeast basements.
- Improve ventilation in bathrooms (exhaust fan that vents outside, not into the attic), laundry rooms (proper dryer vent), and crawl spaces (functional vents or encapsulation).
- Address standing water in floor drains, sink overflows, sump pump pits, and condensation around HVAC units.
This is the single highest-impact natural method. Most homes with persistent millipede problems are also homes with chronic moisture issues. Solve one, you usually solve the other.
2. Seal Entry Points
Millipedes can only enter through gaps. Sealing them is the only way to keep new arrivals out for good.
- Caulk foundation cracks at ground level.
- Install or replace door sweeps and weatherstripping (especially garage side 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 packed into the gap, then caulk over the top.
- Check brick weep holes; screen them with a fine mesh if they’re large enough for millipedes to enter.
3. Reduce Clutter and Hiding Spots
Damp clutter holds moisture and creates millipede shelter. Decluttering reduces both:
- Clear stacks of cardboard, magazines, and stored papers from damp basement floors.
- Move stored items off the floor onto shelves or pallets.
- Transfer storage from cardboard to plastic bins. Cardboard absorbs moisture and is itself a food source for millipedes.
- Keep basement and crawl space corners clean and dry.
4. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a fine powder made from fossilized aquatic organisms. The microscopic edges damage the exoskeleton of insects and arthropods that crawl through it, causing dehydration. Food-grade DE is safe for use around children and pets when applied lightly.
Where to apply:
- Light dusting along baseboards in basements and crawl spaces
- Around foundation cracks and door thresholds
- Inside crawl space access doors
- Reapply after vacuuming or any moisture exposure (DE loses effectiveness when wet)
Caution: don’t over-apply. A visible white layer on baseboards isn’t more effective than a thin barely-visible dusting. It just creates a cleanup project. DE works on millipedes that crawl through it, not on millipedes that don’t.
5. Essential Oils and Natural Repellents
Cedar oil, peppermint oil, and tea tree oil all show modest, short-term repellent effects against millipedes. Mix 10 to 15 drops of essential oil per cup of water in a spray bottle and apply around entry points, baseboards, and any spots where you’ve seen millipede activity.
Honest expectations: scent-based repellents fade within 24 to 72 hours and need frequent reapplication. They’re a supplement to moisture control and sealing, not a substitute. Use them as a short-term measure while you address the underlying conditions.
What about vinegar? Equal parts vinegar and water sprayed around entry points has anecdotal support but limited research backing. It’s safe and cheap so there’s no harm in trying, but don’t expect it to solve a persistent problem on its own.
Step-by-Step DIY Removal Guide
If you have an active millipede problem and want to handle it naturally, follow this sequence:
- Identify entry points. Walk the perimeter of the basement, crawl space, or affected room. Look for cracks, gaps under doors, unsealed pipe penetrations, and dampness on walls.
- Reduce indoor humidity. Plug in a dehumidifier in the affected area. Set it to 45 to 50% relative humidity. Run continuously for at least 2 weeks.
- Address the outdoor conditions. Pull mulch back 3 feet from the foundation. Remove leaf litter against the house. Make sure downspouts extend at least 4 feet from the foundation.
- Vacuum visible millipedes. Empty the canister outside immediately to avoid odor buildup.
- Apply diatomaceous earth in a thin dusting at known entry points and along baseboards in affected areas.
- Seal entry points as a final step, after the indoor population has cleared. Caulking, door sweeps, hardware cloth on vents.
- Maintain. Re-check entry points seasonally. Run the dehumidifier through humid months. Keep mulch beds away from the foundation.
A dehumidifier set to 45-50% humidity is the single highest-impact change for keeping millipedes out long-term.
Preventing Millipedes from Entering Your House Long-Term
Once you’ve cleared an active problem, prevention focuses on the conditions that allowed millipedes in the first place.
- Seal cracks and gaps in doors, windows, and foundations seasonally. The Southeast freeze-thaw cycle and soil expansion can open new gaps each year.
- Maintain a 3-foot mulch-free zone around the foundation. Use gravel, river rock, or bare soil within 3 feet of the house. Move mulch beds farther out.
- Remove leaves, mulch, and organic debris from the foundation perimeter regularly. Fall raking is especially important.
- Direct downspouts away from the foundation. Add extensions if needed. Standing water within 2 feet of the house is the single biggest contributor to millipede entry.
- Control indoor humidity with dehumidifiers, proper ventilation, and prompt leak repair.
- Trim back vegetation so air circulates against the foundation. Damp shaded foundation walls hold millipedes longer.
When Natural Methods Aren’t Enough
Most millipede problems clear up with the natural methods above. Some don’t. Call Northwest for professional millipede control if:
- You’ve followed the DIY steps for 3 to 4 weeks and millipede sightings haven’t dropped significantly.
- You’re finding more than 10 to 15 millipedes per day in any single room.
- You can’t identify the entry points or moisture source on your own.
- You’re dealing with millipedes plus other moisture pests (sowbugs, springtails, centipedes, ground beetles). All share the same root cause and can be solved together.
- The home has chronic crawl space moisture, drainage problems, or other structural issues contributing to the millipede problem. Professional pest control + targeted moisture remediation handles both layers.
The UGA Extension Bulletin B 1412 on Southeastern household pests recommends professional pest control when DIY moisture management hasn’t reduced indoor millipede activity within a few weeks.
(Tried the natural methods and millipedes keep coming back? Request a free Northwest inspection and we’ll find the entry points and moisture sources driving them in.)
Millipedes In House: Southeast Seasonal Patterns
Millipede pressure in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina follows a predictable rhythm. Plan prevention around it.
- March through May: Spring rains drive the first major peak. Foundation perimeter prep (mulch pullback, downspout checks) is best done in late February or early March before the rainy season.
- June through August: Summer thunderstorms produce intermittent peaks. Dehumidifier should be running continuously in basements during this period.
- September through November: Fall rains and cooler nights drive the second annual peak. This is the period when most homeowners notice clusters of curled, dead millipedes in basement corners.
- December through February: Activity drops significantly. Use this window for entry-point sealing and structural prevention work, since indoor millipede pressure is at its lowest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Millipedes in the House
Are millipedes harmful to humans or pets?
No, millipedes are harmless. They don’t bite, sting, transmit disease, or damage homes. Some species release a mild defensive secretion when handled, which can briefly irritate skin and shouldn’t be eaten by pets in large numbers, but otherwise they’re entirely safe to have around.
Why do millipedes come inside my home?
They’re seeking moisture, warmth, and shelter. Heavy rain saturates their outdoor environment and pushes them indoors looking for drier ground. Drought has the opposite effect; they seek any source of moisture, which can include indoor humidity. Foundation mulch, leaf litter, and entry-point gaps make some homes much easier targets than others.
How do I prevent millipedes indoors permanently?
Three layers: (1) reduce indoor humidity with a dehumidifier and leak repair, (2) seal all entry points (foundation cracks, door gaps, crawl space vents), and (3) maintain a 3-foot mulch-free zone around the foundation. The first two address current entries; the third reduces outdoor pressure year-round.
Can essential oils keep millipedes away?
Cedar, peppermint, and tea tree oils show modest short-term repellent effects against millipedes. Mix 10 to 15 drops per cup of water and spray around entry points. Expectations: they fade within 24 to 72 hours and need frequent reapplication. Use them as a supplement to moisture control and sealing, not a substitute.
Does diatomaceous earth kill millipedes?
Yes, food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) damages the exoskeleton of millipedes that crawl through it, causing dehydration. Apply a thin dusting at baseboards and entry points in affected areas. Reapply after vacuuming or any moisture exposure, since DE loses effectiveness when wet.
Most natural millipede solutions work. When they don’t, the underlying issue is usually structural moisture that needs more attention.
Solve the Millipede Problem at the Source
Natural millipede control works well for most homeowners. When it doesn’t, the underlying issue is usually structural moisture or hard-to-find entry points that need professional eyes. Northwest’s team handles the full workflow: moisture assessment, entry-point sealing, targeted eco-friendly treatment, and prevention plans tied to Southeast seasonal patterns.
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.
