Millipedes

Millipedes seem to be an extreme nuisance this year. Are you having this problem? Many folks are and are not sure how to deal with them. A lot of the problem is all the rain we have had this year so far.

Millipedes are an arthropod that have elongated cylindrical or flattened jointed bodies with two pairs of legs per body segment. They are reported to have 1,000 legs, but I have not personally counted them to see, I’ll leave that to someone else. I am almost sure that’s a myth.

Millipedes are slow moving that live in damp, decaying plant matter, storm houses, all around the house in mulch and loose compost. They are however a problem in greenhouses as they can cause extreme damage to seedlings because they like to feed on the new roots. They are harmless to humans other than being a nuisance getting into your house and being stepped on during the nighttime visits to the bathroom or to get a drink of water. Usually they enter houses that are on a slab or houses with a ground level patio. If you handle them you may notice a pungent odor from a fluid they secrete which is mildly acidic and may irritate your skin and eyes. 

Control of millipedes can be handled in several different ways. There are several chemical solutions that have excellent results. Talstar Concentrate in liquid form and Delta Dust a powder for cracks and crevices are excellent choices. Intice 10 Perimeter Bait is a granular boric acid product that also does well. If you have pets a better alternative is Diatomaceous Earth, as it is a product that is all natural. Millipedes are not insects and so the products like Sevin, Diazinon, Dursban, and Malathion have no effect on them. When using chemical sprays be sure and read the label and follow the directions for mixing. Remember, more is not better. Wear protective clothing when spraying, nitrile gloves, long sleeve shirt, long pants, socks and shoes; flip flops and sandals are not options for spraying chemicals. You should also wear a double charcoal filtered mask over your mouth and nose as well as goggles for your eyes.  

On a personal note after visiting a friend’s house and seeing the results of using Diatomaceous Earth, it is my recommended choice for killing them. Cleanup is simply using a broom and dust pan.

If you have any questions or solutions that you would like to share, please email me at thatgardeninguy@hotmail.com