During the fall season, you may notice a dark brown, worm-like creature about 1 to 1½ inches long crawling through the landscape and around your home. These creatures are millipedes. Although they are not insects, they can become a nuisance when they enter our living spaces in large numbers. Millipedes may be seen crawling on driveways, in the landscape, inside garages, on the exterior of homes, and, unfortunately, even in bedrooms. They do not cause structural damage inside the home, although they may leave stains if crushed. Millipedes do not sting or bite and are not venomous. However, when handled, they can leave an unpleasant odor on your fingers. When disturbed, millipedes typically curl into a coil, like sowbugs and pillbugs.
Millipedes prefer moist environments, where they feed primarily on decaying organic matter. Because they crawl rather than fly, they are most often found on the lower floors of homes.
Preventing Millipedes from Entering the Home
Millipedes thrive in organic materials such as mulch, fallen leaves, and wood chips. Removing or reducing piles of organic matter near your home’s foundation can reduce the likelihood of millipedes entering your home.
Overwatering and excessive mulching in the landscape can create ideal conditions for millipedes. To further prevent entry:
- Keep mulch and other organic materials from accumulating directly next to the home.
- Avoid overwatering the landscape.
- Make sure doors and windows fit tightly.
- Seal cracks and crevices around the foundation, doors, windows, and other potential entry points.
Controlling Millipedes
Using a vacuum cleaner is a safe and environmentally friendly way to remove millipedes from inside the home. For additional control, the home’s interior perimeter may be treated with an insecticide labeled for indoor use. Always read and follow the pesticide label, and make sure millipedes are listed as a target pest before applying the product. For outdoor control, applying an appropriately labeled insecticide around potential entry points and along the home’s exterior perimeter may help reduce millipede infestations. Products containing active ingredients such as carbaryl may be effective when used according to the label.
Remember that pesticide labels provide specific instructions regarding where, when, and how a product can be applied. Always read and follow the label before applying any pesticide. If additional applications are permitted by the label, treatment may need to be repeated after significant rainfall, as rain can reduce the effectiveness of some products. People and pets should always be kept away from treated areas until the pesticide has dried and the label indicates that it is safe to re-enter.
For more information on horticulture-related topics, contact Grantly Ricketts at gricketts@ufl.edu or 772-462-1660.
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