Millipede Control Information

Description:

• Appearance: Slow-crawling, round-bodied pests with two sets of legs on each body segment.
• Behavior: Curl up into a tight “C” shape when touched.
• Body: Long and cylindrical.

Habits:

• Development: Thrive in damp and dark locations with abundant organic matter.
• Behavior: Curl into a “C” shape, resembling a watch spring, when touched.

Life Cycle:

• Spring: Lay eggs.
• Summer: Populations build up.
• Changes: Changes in habitat conditions (excessive moisture, lack of food) cause population dispersal.

Damage:

• Infestation: May infest basements and other parts of the house in the fall.

Pest Control:

• Challenges: Controlling large numbers of millipedes can be difficult.
• Insecticides: Most homeowner-available insecticides may not be very effective.
• Non-Chemical Control: Identify and address the source of the problem.
• Migration: Populations may build up, and overcrowded habitats lead thousands of millipedes to migrate to other areas.

Effective millipede control involves addressing habitat conditions and may require a combination of non-chemical and, if necessary, targeted chemical control measures.