Millipede Control in Kentucky Homes
Pest Expert Matthew S. Hess
07/19/2025
If you’ve ever walked into your basement, garage, or sunroom and spotted a bunch of little brown critters curled up like tiny springs or crawling slowly across the floor, you’re not alone. Millipedes are a common sight in Kentucky homes, especially during the wetter months, and while they’re more nuisance than threat, they can show up in big numbers and make themselves a little too comfortable.
In today’s blog, we’ll break down what you need to know about millipedes, why they invade Kentucky homes, and what you can do to keep them outside where they belong.
What Are Millipedes?
Millipedes are small, slow-moving arthropods with long, segmented bodies and dozens (sometimes hundreds!) of tiny legs. The name “millipede” literally means “thousand feet,” although most species have between 80 and 400 legs, depending on the individual and its age.
Unlike centipedes, which are predators, millipedes are decomposers. That means they feed on dead plant material, mulch, moist wood, and decaying organic debris. In their natural habitat, they’re beneficial recyclers.
Why Are They in My House?
Millipedes usually live outdoors in leaf litter, under mulch, in damp soil, and around foundations. But when their environment gets too wet, too dry, or just unstable (like after heavy rains or a change in season), they start looking for shelter, and your home offers everything they need:
- Cool, damp places like basements and crawl spaces
- Dark areas with little foot traffic
- Access to moisture or decaying organic material
They get in through foundation cracks, door gaps, utility lines, or even floor drains. Once inside, they tend to die quickly, since your home isn’t an ideal habitat long-term, but not before causing quite a scare when you step on one with your bare feet!.
Are Millipedes Dangerous?
Millipedes are harmless to people and pets. They don’t bite, sting, or carry diseases. The worst thing they might do is emit a slightly musty, unpleasant odor if handled or crushed, which is nature’s way of saying “leave me alone.” Still, nobody wants to share their living space with dozens of squirmy, leggy bugs.
The truth is, if they are in your home often, it could indicate a more serious problem like a water leak, excess moisture, rotting wood, or even termites! If you’re consistently seeing millipedes, at the very least, you have unsealed entry points that allow outside pests to come inside easily.
How to Prevent a Millipede Invasion
Millipedes don’t typically infest homes like roaches or ants, but if the weather’s just right (or wrong, depending on how you look at it), you might suddenly find yourself sweeping up dozens a day. Here’s how to prevent that:
✅Control Moisture
- Run a dehumidifier in damp basements and crawl spaces.
- Fix leaky pipes or faucets, especially near walls or foundations.
- Make sure your gutters and downspouts drain water away from your home.
When millipedes are present, there is moisture somewhere because they cannot survive without it. Getting to the bottom of the moisture problem and fixing it will solve 95% of the millipede invasion!
✅ Seal Entry Points
- Install door sweeps and weather stripping.
- Seal cracks in foundation walls and around windows and doors.
- Use caulk or foam around utility lines and vents.
Regardless of any underlying moisture problem, the fact is that if millipedes are inside your home, they came in from outside. That means you absolutely have an access point that leads right outside!
✅Limit Outdoor Attractions
- Keep mulch and compost at least 12 inches from your foundation.
- Rake away leaf litter and organic debris.
- Avoid overwatering flower beds and grass near the house.
If you provide them with all the necessary components for life, no amount of insecticide will stop them from existing. Couple that with a way into your home, and whether you find them dead or alive, you’ll find them. It’s best to avoid attracting them, and then they won’t be trying to get in!
When to Call Four Seasons Pest Solutions
If you regularly see large numbers of millipedes indoors, especially during the spring or fall, it may be a sign of a larger moisture problem, structural vulnerability, or attractant. Following the steps mentioned above will go a long way in stopping their invasion. We can even help seal up your home, remove moisture, and make recommendations on how to eliminate any attractants.
If you’ve already tried everything else and still have millipedes, or you don’t have time to try anything and want pest control, we’re here to help! At Four Seasons Pest Solutions, we don’t just treat the bugs you see; we focus on why they’re getting in and what conditions are attracting them. This involves inspecting your home, identifying potential entry points, and creating a customized plan tailored to your needs.
Millipedes may be harmless, but that doesn’t mean they belong on your bathroom floor or basement steps. With the right combination of moisture control, exclusion work, and a comprehensive pest control plan, Four Seasons Pest Solutions can effectively send those leggy invaders packing.
Got millipedes? Give us a call and let’s make your home pest-free from the ground up.
And remember, it’s okay to live among pests… but you don’t have to live with them!
