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It’s alarming to find a bunch of long, worm-like bugs with dozens of legs in your house, but it’s not unheard of. Millipedes are a bit scary in appearance, but they’re relatively harmless pests that are considered a nuisance more than a danger. These bugs normally live outdoors, but weather extremes in the summer can force them inside in search of more favorable conditions.
If your home has a sudden influx of millipedes, you don’t need to be scared, but you do need to know why it’s happening and what to do about it. All-American Pest Control’s guide to summer millipede infestations has all the information you need to know.
Why Do Millipedes Suddenly Invade Homes During Summer?
Tennessee summers can bring some extreme weather. Heavy summer rains flood outdoor millipede habitats, while hot, dry days can leave the soil lacking moisture that millipedes need for survival. From one extreme to the other, it’s relatively easy for millipedes to find themselves in unfavorable conditions.
When the weather becomes inhospitable for these many-legged pests, they often seek shelter indoors where the conditions allow them to survive. If you’re suddenly seeing millipedes in your house, it’s likely that there’s an excessive amount of rainfall or a prolonged heat wave to blame.
Why is Your Yard Attracting So Many Millipedes?
In order for millipedes to get into your house, they first have to be on your property. What attracts these pests? If your yard provides a good habitat for them, they’re likely to move onto your property. From there, it’s an easy trip into your house the next time the weather is bad. Millipedes prefer:
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Thick mulch
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Leaf litter
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Grass clippings
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Rotting wood
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Decaying organic matter
All of these materials provide both food and shelter, allowing millipede populations to grow. What may start as just a couple of millipedes on your property can easily grow into a large population in a relatively short amount of time.
How Do Millipedes Get Inside Your Home?
Once they’ve built their home next to your home, millipedes may end up moving inside. They don’t have too much trouble finding a way indoors because your home has plenty of small openings that you’re probably not aware of. Common access points utilized by millipedes include:
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Gaps beneath exterior doors
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Sliding glass door tracks
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Foundation cracks
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Openings around windows
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Utility penetrations
Millipedes don't intentionally infest houses. They’re not purposely trying to get inside and build their life in the comfort of your home. Instead, they simply wander inside through available openings, often while trying to avoid extreme weather conditions.
Where Are Millipedes Usually Found Indoors?
Once they get inside, millipedes will look for a hospitable place to live. They require moisture for survival, so you’re most likely to find them in the more humid and moisture-rich areas of your house. Common locations to find millipedes include:
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Basements
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Crawl spaces
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Laundry rooms
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Bathrooms
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Garages
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Entryways
Not only do these areas tend to have higher moisture levels than other areas of your house, but they also tend to stay cooler than other rooms. This makes them very attractive to millipedes.
Are Millipedes Dangerous to People or Homes?
Millipedes are considered nuisance pests. They may look scary, but they don’t sting or bite. They also don’t cause damage to your property. They can emit a fluid that can irritate the skin, but it doesn’t cause any serious health concerns.
When millipedes get into your house, they won’t reproduce. Unless your home provides a highly humid space, they won’t even survive for long indoors. Most modern homes are too dry to allow millipedes to last more than a few days inside. The biggest problem with a millipede infestation is that it is frustrating to find large numbers of these pests in your house all at one time.
How Can You Make Your Property Less Attractive to Millipedes?
To avoid getting millipedes in your house, you need to help make your property less attractive to them so that they don’t show up in your yard. Outdoor prevention is the best way to stop an indoor infestation. All-American Pest Control recommends the following millipede prevention tips:
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Move mulch and leaf litter 6–12 inches away from the foundation of your house
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Remove grass clippings after you mow your lawn
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Clean up decaying vegetation
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Improve drainage around the home to eliminate excess moisture
By reducing moisture and eliminating hiding places, you’ll lower the outdoor population of millipedes, making it less likely that these pests will show up inside your house.
How Can You Keep Millipedes From Getting Inside?
In addition to making your yard inhospitable to millipedes, you should also make it difficult for them to get inside. That way, any millipedes that do end up on your property will have a hard time getting inside if the weather gets bad. Seal entry points by:
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Sealing foundation cracks
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Installing or replacing door sweeps
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Caulking gaps around windows and doors
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Repairing damaged weather stripping
Exclusion is one of the most effective long-term prevention strategies, both for millipedes and for other pests.
How Can You Reduce Indoor Moisture That Attracts Millipedes?
Keeping humidity and overall moisture levels low in your house is a good way to ensure that any millipedes that do find their way inside won’t be able to survive there for long. Lower moisture inside by:
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Using dehumidifiers in your basement or crawl space
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Fixing leaking pipes and dripping faucets
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Repairing drainage issues
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Keeping gutters and downspouts clear
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Preventing water from pooling around the foundation
When Should You Call a Professional for Millipede Problems?
Many homeowners never deal with millipedes, and others may only experience a problem for a short time before it disappears. However, in some situations, you may need the help of the professionals at All-American Pest Control for your millipede problems. We recommend getting in touch with us if you find yourself dealing with any of the following situations:
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You notice large numbers of millipedes entering your house despite sealing gaps
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Heavy seasonal invasions occur every year
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Moisture issues persist around your home despite your best efforts to correct them
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You keep finding millipedes, but are unsure where they’re entering your home
You don’t have to live with recurring millipede problems; reach out.
Call All-American Pest Control for Millipede Control Services
If millipedes keep showing up inside your house, even after you take preventative measures to stop them, or if you find a large population around your yard, get in touch with All-American Pest Control to schedule your free home evaluation. Our evaluation provides you with the opportunity to get an expert’s view of your property to identify moisture issues, locate entry points, and recommend practical prevention strategies to keep millipedes and other pests outside where they belong. If further professional service is needed, we’ll tailor a treatment to your home’s unique needs. Get in touch with us to get started today.
Your Trusted Nashville, TN Pest Control Experts in Nashville, TN & Nearby Neighborhoods
Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.
We proudly serve: Antioch, Oak Hill, Belle Meade, Berry Hill, Nashville, Old Hickory, Joelton, Madison, Green Hills Estates, Haynes, Kemper Heights, Metro Center, Northwest Nashville, Rivergate, Talbot's Corner, Bakers, Bellshire Estates, Blair Heights, Bordeaux, Cane Ridge, Germantown, and the entire Davidson County and Greater Nashville areas.
For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All-American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or Schedule a Free Consultation online.