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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.
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?
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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Summer and rain usually mean humidity and a potentially bad hair day, but it may also come with some creepy crawlies. Rain tends to flood pests out of their hiding spaces outside, and they will seek refuge in places within your home that still have high moisture (a huge necessity for their survival). One of the pests that heavily relies on an abundance of moisture is the millipede.
Here are some facts about this many-legged pest and some tips to keep them out:
You may be wondering what options you have to help keep your home free of these tiny crawlers. The most effective method is investing in Green Pest Control, which can help with a variety of pests the rain and summer may bring, including millipedes. You can also prevent millipedes and other pests by installing Leafproof Gutter Guard, which keeps your gutters clean of debris, allowing for proper drainage and keeping pests away from your home.
If you have a millipede infestation or general pest questions, contact your local pest control company or fill out the form below to request a free pest inspection.