Millipedes
What Do Millipedes Look Like?
Adult millipedes are very worm-like in appearance. They have a segmented body and are usually black, brown, or mottled in color; species of millipedes that secrete foul-smelling or toxic substances may have bright orange or red-colored markings on their body. Millipedes grow to between 1/16 and 4 1/2 inches in length, but most grow to between 1 and 2 inches length. Each of their body segments has two pairs of legs each, except for the first three or so segments which only have one pair of legs each.
Are Millipedes Dangerous?
No, millipedes are not dangerous, they do not bite or sting; they are also not known to transmit any diseases to humans. Millipedes are mostly known as nuisance pests; however, some species do spray a terrible smelling fluid as a means of defense. If a person is sprayed, the fluid can cause a bit of pain and itching and may cause blisters to form.
Where Am I Likely To Find Millipedes?
You are most likely to find these leggy pests outside living underneath of mulch, soil, leaves, or grass piles; feeding on decaying vegetation. Millipedes that are living very close to a home or other structure may accidentally find their way inside through small spaces and cracks found in the foundation or underneath of basement doors. They might have also been attracted to your home because of outdoor lighting; attracted by light millipedes can be seen congregating in large numbers on driveways, decks, and patios.
Does Modern Offer Millipede Control?
At Modern Pest Control, we provide pest control solutions for homes and businesses that include treatment for millipedes. When you contact our company for your millipede problem, we will start with a thorough inspection to determine where millipedes are living on your property; our professionals will then design a layout customized for your property to control millipede populations. Contact Modern Pest Control today for more information about the millipede control solutions we provide in the Greater Houston area.
How Can I Prevent Millipede Infestations?
Preventing millipede infestations on your property is a difficult job. Listed below are a few tips on how to discourage millipedes from choosing your property to live on and to keep them from wandering into your home:
- Repair cracks, crevices, and gaps found in the foundation of your home. Install door sweeps on all exterior doors.
- Leave a barrier between your home and any mulch, soil, or grass.
- Remove piles of leaves, grass, sticks, and other organic debris from your property.
- Reducing the water that is on the outside of the home. An over-watered landscape can cause many problems in homes in our area.
