Just the sight of a millipede can scare the hardiest of insect haters. Their name translates into “thousands feet.” That’s pretty descriptive, but a little bit high. 750 legs is the most ever recorded on one.
Millipedes are arthropods, a Greek term meaning “jointed legs.” They have about 20 body segments with many “feet” attached to each.
Despite their menacing look, millipedes are harmless to people. They aren’t poisonous to humans and they won’t bite you.
These bugs are very beneficial when located in their natural habitat. They help fertilize soil by breaking down decaying leaves, wood, and other plant material. They thrive under piles of dead leaves, mulch, and grass clippings, and are at home in damp places such as flowerbeds, gardens, and ornamental landscaping. However…
Millipedes don’t fare well indoors. If you spot them inside, it’s because they’re having a hard time surviving outside. Migration could be a result of extended drought. Or the opposite could be true: heavy rains may have saturated the soil around your house. Falling temperatures will also prompt them to move inside.
While you may not know why they came inside, you can be sure of one thing: they found an entry point into your house. Millipedes don’t bore holes to get into buildings. They enter through gaps that are already available. They may have found an opening around a pipe, or cracks in your foundation wall. Perhaps they found a missing door sweep or a break in weatherstripping around a door. They have come in through a hole made by a wood-damaging pest.
Their presence inside could also indicate a moisture problem. When a house sustains water damage, millipedes may come to feed on the decaying matter. They aren’t destructive like termites or carpenter ants, but they can point to conditions that attract more dangerous pests.
Long term, millipedes can’t survive in your home because they can’t complete their life cycle inside. They will eventually die.
But if you’re not keen on waiting…or more importantly, you notice conditions that could draw termites into your walls…reach out to us with a solution to your problem. We’re ready to help!
