It’s conceivable that most insects and creatures creep people out. They usually have odd or intimidating appearances. Some critters have big beady eyes or sharp fangs. Others have large paws or prickly claws. Several are slimy or sleek-looking and move unsettlingly fast. It can be hard to know if it’s safe to approach them, so you can take a crack at killing them for self-protection. For those species that are often talked about, the chatter can help relay tips for avoidance. When it’s a pest that few Fort Worth residents know of, like millipedes, things can get tricky.
Not a lot of home and business owners understand millipedes or how they function. Much less, how they get indoors, or how to prevent them. You can get the scoop now though, plus, you can have information about All-Safe Pest & Termite and what they can do to assist you.
How Do Millipedes Look & Behave? What Are The Dangers?
Generally, millipedes are an inch long, if not a little less. The most prevalent subspecies in North America are black or brown with orange body markings. Having a segmented, slender, and rigid figure, many people mistake these bugs for worms. Per segment, they have two pairs of legs. While it seems that they have a million legs and their name implies that, they only have 750 at maximum.
Millipedes consume organic matter and need moisture to thrive, so they prefer to be outdoors. If you pick up a rock or log, you’re bound to see groups of them slithering around. They also surround trash cans and nest in mulch, dead leaves, and rotting plants. When the weather becomes dry and hot, these critters will be looking to come inside your home or business. If they’re successful, you might catch them by:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Beneath sinks
- Basements
- Crawlspaces
- Garages
- Patios and decks
Gaps in vents, doors, and foundations are their typical points of entry. They will travel in packs under furniture and in boxes. Considering that these invertebrate arthropods tend to be active at night only, seeing them in broad daylight suggests you have an infestation.
No, millipedes don’t sting or bite. They don’t ruin property, communicate illnesses, or harm domestic animals. That doesn’t mean they don’t come with their own issues though. You mustn't handle them, or else you could develop some skin irritation or nasty blisters. These bugs release defensive fluid.
How Can You Prevent Millipedes?
To make your home or business less appealing and comfortable for millipedes, you have to remove the elements that allow them to flourish. While you can’t control the existence of moisture and organic debris, you can influence the availability of it on your property by:
- Having all moisture glitches and fixture leaks repaired immediately
- Make sure your gutters and vents stay clean
- Keeping interior warmth down with a dehumidifier
- Trying not to have much clutter, and avoiding stacking stored belongings along walls
- Sealing cracks and crevices in utility lines, foundations, and windows
- Adding sweeps to all doors that face the outside
- Cutting your grass regularly
- Routinely trim greenery, and having it distanced two feet away from the property
- Removing decaying wood, leaves, and other natural matter from the yard
What Can All-Safe Pest & Termite Do About Millipedes?
You can rest assured you’ll receive quality care from us at All-Safe Pest & Termite. We are proud to be members of national and regional industry associations and our technicians are highly trained. They will use environmentally conscious treatments to efficiently eliminate millipedes. Our cost-friendly plans are widely inclusive and have guarantees and warranties attached. Don’t hesitate to call us today for a free inspection!