PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

If you're tired of being surprised by millipedes around your home, work to get rid of them and prevent them from coming back. Physically remove the millipedes that are inside your house and treat your yard with insecticide or natural repellents. Once you've gotten rid of the millipedes, make your home and yard less attractive to them by getting rid of hiding places and keeping the area dry.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Removing Millipedes from Your Home

PDF download Download Article
  1. As soon as you spot a millipede in your house, stomp or squish it. Do this every time you see a millipede instead of capturing it and releasing it into your yard.
    • Millipedes usually won't invade your home in a large swarm, so killing millipedes when you see them is often effective.
  2. If you're a little squeamish about killing the millipedes or even getting close to them, sweep or vacuum up the millipedes and dump them in the trash can. Then tie up the bag and throw it in a covered dumpster outside.
    • Don't leave millipedes in your indoor trashcan because they can crawl out.
    • If you happen to have a large number of millipedes in your home, use a shop vac to suck them up easily.
    Advertisement
  3. If you prefer, purchase an indoor-safe pest control spray that's designed to kill millipedes. Spray it directly onto millipedes as soon as you see them. The spray should quickly kill them. [1]
    • Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and determine if they're safe to use around children or pets.
  4. Check the hardware store if you'd like to purchase a simple trap. Most millipede traps are designed with a light in the center that attracts the millipedes and sloped sides. This way the millipedes are attracted by the light and climb into the trap, but can't escape. [2]

    Variation: To make your own millipede trap, connect 2 small plastic soda bottles and insert a small plastic tube. Place a bit of fruit into 1 of the bottles to act as bait for the millipedes. The millipedes will go through the tube and fall into the bottles without being able to get out.

  5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Outdoor Repellents

PDF download Download Article
  1. Go to a local gardening center, hardware store, or online to buy a chemical spray or powder. Look for a product that contains bendiocarb, carbaryl, cyfluthrin, or propoxur. [3]
    • Always read the manufacturer's instructions and warnings before using the product.

    Tip: If a product contains pyrethroids, you should spray it directly onto the millipedes instead of using it as an outdoor repellent.

  2. Spray or scatter the pesticides along the perimeter of your house according to the package instructions. When the millipedes cross over the insecticide, the chemicals will get onto their feet and gradually kill them. Remember to wear gloves to prevent the insecticide from irritating your skin. [4]
    • Check the package to determine how often to reapply the insecticide. If you used powder and live in a wet climate, you'll need to reapply it more frequently than if you used a liquid insecticide.
  3. If you know where the millipedes gather outside, you can mix an outdoor insecticide into the soil or debris there. For example, spread the insecticide into mulched flower beds. The chemicals will eventually get inside the millipedes and poison them.
    • For a more natural way to treat the soil, mix a few handfuls of dry wood ash into the soil around your home. The wood ash will dry out the rest of the soil so millipedes won't want to lay their eggs.
  4. Purchase either of these powders from garden centers and sprinkle it into the soil where the millipedes are congregating. Both products will make microscopic cuts that dehydrate and kill the millipedes. The boric acid also acts as a stomach poison that will kill the millipedes. [5]
    • You can use either of these products in your home, such as in the cracks or damp spots, but you shouldn't use them if you have kids or pets.
  5. If you've removed the millipedes from your house, treated your yard, and still have a millipede problem, call a pest control professional. Although this will cost money, it's a good idea if you're also experiencing another pest outbreak, such as centipedes. [6]
    • To find a pest control professional, ask your neighbors for recommendations, read reviews online, and check local listings.
  6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Millipede Outbreaks

PDF download Download Article
  1. Long grass, piles of leaves, and mulch right next to your home make great hiding places for millipedes. Mow your lawn to keep the grass short and remove leaf piles that are near your house. If you have mulch, move it at least 2 to 3 feet (61 to 91 cm) away from the foundation of your home. [7]
    • Common millipede hiding places also include trash piles, rocks, boards, and compost.
  2. Since millipedes love moist environments, keep your home as dry as possible. Clean the gutters and check to see if downspouts are properly directing water away from your house. If you live on a floodplain, you may need to install a sump pump to keep water out of your basement. [8]
    • If you have a constant problem with moisture and millipedes, use extended gutters to divert the rainwater as far away from your house as possible.
  3. Seal cracks or crevices leading into the home. Check the walls, windows, and doors of your home for ways that millipedes could be getting in. Apply weather stripping, seal cracks, and apply caulking to prevent millipedes from getting inside. [9]
    • Some millipedes can crawl through vents. To prevent this from happening, install screens on the outside of each vent space.
  4. Millipedes are drawn to moisture, so set up a dehumidifier to dry out your house. If you're unsure if your house is moist, purchase an inexpensive hygrometer from the hardware store. It will show you the humidity level in your house. Run the dehumidifier until the humidity level is under 50%. [10]
    • Pay special attention to the subfloor crawl space and basement, if your house has these areas. These spaces are usually among the dampest, so if millipedes are entering your home, it might be through these locations.

    Did You Know? Both dehumidifiers and air conditioners can help draw moisture out of the air, but in really damp areas of the house, they may not be enough. Consider running multiple machines or moving 1 throughout the house.

  5. Check your city laws to see if you're allowed to keep chickens in your yard. Chickens eat many garden pests, including millipedes so they're a great natural deterrent. [11]
    • Since chickens eat a lot throughout the day, you probably only need a few to control the millipede population in your yard.
  6. Advertisement

How Do You Get Rid Of Millipedes?


Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do you control a millipede infestation?
    Kevin Carrillo
    Pest Control Specialist, MMPC
    Kevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry’s leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News.
    Pest Control Specialist, MMPC
    Expert Answer
    Be sure to spray the insecticide in dark, damp places around your home where millipedes are likely to be found. This would include your attic, crawl spaces, in the bathroom, and behind large pieces of furniture.
Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • It's important to remove the millipedes from your home and make it unwelcoming to them before using outdoor repellents. If you use the repellents first, the millipedes may be driven into your home.
      • Millipedes are harmless. They may be annoying, but they are helpful to the environment by eating decaying plants.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Note that many non-chemical pesticides can still pose a health hazard to small kids and pets.
      • Follow the label instructions closely when using any pesticide, especially chemical pesticides. Wear a face mask to protect yourself from accidentally inhaling the poison as you apply it.
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      Removing Millipedes from Your Home

      • Indoor pest contact spray
      • Millipede trap
      • Broom or vacuum

      Using Outdoor Repellents

      • Insecticides
      • Gloves
      • Diatomaceous earth
      • Boric acid
      • Wood ash

      Preventing Millipede Outbreaks

      • Dehumidifier
      • Rake
      • Extended rain gutter
      • Caulk
      • Weather stripping

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to get rid of millipedes indoors, start by sealing cracks and crevices in the windows, screens, and vents with weather stripping. You can also spread diatomaceous earth around those areas to kill any insects that make it through. Then, if the problem persists, try installing a dehumidifier because millipedes are attracted to moisture. To prevent millipedes from getting near your house at all, divert water from your property and spread wood ash to dry the soil. For more tips on how to get millipedes out of your yard, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 736,174 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Biatrez Killen

        Sep 19, 2016

        "The article I've been reading was helpful. It gives me an idea on how to get rid of millipedes. We did some of ..." more
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement