“Ew! These disgusting worm-looking things are covering my house! There are so many of them! They came out of nowhere!” – this is a common call that we get at our office this time of the year. It’s the invasion of millipedes…
In Central Florida, millipedes usually infest homes in the spring and fall, and usually in response to excess moisture.
Millipedes thrive in lawns, mulch, under rocks and wood debris, and other dark, moist areas. They mainly feed on algae and are considered beneficial in the landscape.
While unsightly and annoying, millipedes are harmless. They don’t feed on your lawn or plants, and they don’t bite or sting. If millipedes find their way inside your home, you’ll notice that they quickly curl-up and die. This is because millipedes require a high-moisture environment to thrive.
Management of millipedes is usually not necessary. In most situations, infestations are short-lived and millipedes return “home” where they belong. For particularly excessive infestations, an insecticide application to the lawn and landscape surrounding the property, as well as to the outside perimeter of the structure may provide some relief.
