Millipedes
Millipedes coil defensively and invade homes during heavy rain or drought seeking moisture.
Background & Behavior
(Diplopoda) Millipedes are long, segmented arthropods with two pairs of legs per segment. They prefer damp, dark areas such as basements, leaf piles, and mulch beds. While they don’t bite or damage structures, they can invade homes in large numbers during wet weather. They release a foul odor when disturbed but pose no real harm.
DIY Approaches
- Maintain proper grading so water drains away from the foundation.
- Use a shop vacuum to remove millipedes found indoors and dispose outdoors.
- Store firewood on racks instead of directly on the ground.
- Seal cracks in basement walls with hydraulic cement.
- Ventilate crawl spaces to lower humidity.
Professional Services
- Request exterior perimeter treatments focusing on shaded, damp zones.
- Have waterproofing contractors install French drains or sump pumps.
- Schedule crawl space encapsulation with vapor barrier installation.
- Engage pest companies for integrated occasional invader programs.
- Coordinate landscape adjustments to reduce dense groundcovers near foundations.
Photo Gallery
