How To Get Rid Of Millipedes
Millipedes are nuisance pests that usually invade homes and businesses in large numbers, especially during damp or rainy seasons. While they don’t bite, sting, or spread disease, they can be overwhelming when they appear in mass. If you want to handle them yourself, here are the most effective strategies to get rid of millipedes:
Eliminate Moisture
Millipedes thrive in damp environments. Reducing excess moisture around your property is the most important step.
Fix leaky faucets, pipes, or irrigation systems.
Run a dehumidifier in basements, crawlspaces, or storage areas.
Improve ventilation in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
Ensure gutters and downspouts move water away from the foundation.
Remove Outdoor Harborage
Millipedes live in soil, mulch, and organic matter and will migrate inside when their environment becomes too wet or dry.
Rake away leaf litter, grass clippings, and mulch from around the foundation.
Store firewood, compost, and stones away from the building.
Keep lawns mowed and well-trimmed.
Seal Entry Points
Because millipedes are small and flexible, they can easily squeeze through gaps.
Seal cracks in foundation walls, doors, and windows.
Install door sweeps and weatherstripping.
Use caulk or foam to seal around pipes, cables, and vents.
Reduce Indoor Attractants
If millipedes make it inside, limit what keeps them there.
Vacuum them up immediately—do not crush them, since they can leave stains and a foul odor.
Store items in plastic bins rather than cardboard, which can retain moisture.
Remove potted plants or damp soil from indoor areas where they gather.
Targeted Use of Insecticides (Optional)
For homeowners comfortable with DIY pest control, you may use over-the-counter products as a barrier:
Apply residual insecticide sprays or granules (labeled for millipedes) around the perimeter of your home, especially near entry points and damp areas.
Treat basement and garage edges where millipedes gather.
Always follow label instructions carefully and avoid over-application indoors.
The best way to get rid of millipedes yourself is to make your property less attractive by controlling moisture, cleaning up organic debris, sealing entry points, and vacuuming up any that get inside. Insecticides can provide an added layer of control, but moisture and habitat reduction are the real long-term solutions.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Millipedes
Our professional pest control is the best way to get rid of millipedes because these pests are often a symptom of deeper environmental issues that aren’t always easy for home or business owners to identify or resolve on their own. While DIY steps can reduce their presence, our professionals provide a comprehensive and long-term solution. Here’s why:
- Accurate Identification of Problem Sources: Millipedes invade when conditions outside become unfavorable—too wet, too dry, or overcrowded. Our professionals will identify the exact factors drawing them in, such as drainage problems, structural gaps, or landscaping issues. This prevents repeat infestations.
- Customized Treatment Plans: Unlike store-bought sprays, our professional-grade treatments are tailored to your property’s needs. Our pest control experts know where millipedes hide, how they travel, and the best places to apply treatments for maximum effectiveness.
- Use of Professional-Grade Products: Millipedes are tough and often return even after DIY treatments. Our licensed exterminators have access to stronger, longer-lasting products that aren’t available in retail stores. These treatments create an effective barrier around your home or business without overusing chemicals indoors.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Our professionals don’t just spray and leave—we use a holistic approach, reducing moisture around the property, making landscaping and structural recommendations, and applying targeted treatments where millipedes are most active. This ensures both immediate relief and long-term prevention.
- Safety and Peace of Mind: Over-the-counter insecticides are often misapplied, leading to staining, odors, or exposure risks. Our professionals apply treatments safely and effectively, ensuring your family, pets, employees, and property remain protected.
- Long-Term Prevention: DIY methods often provide only temporary relief. Our professionals schedule ongoing services and monitor conducive conditions, making and recommending adjustments to keep millipedes and other pests from returning.
Our professional pest control is the best solution for millipedes because it addresses not just the infestation you see, but also the hidden conditions that caused it in the first place. You get lasting protection, safer treatment, and peace of mind knowing the problem is solved correctly the first time.