Get Rid of Millipedes in Your Englewood Home for Good

How to Get Rid of Millipedes in Englewood, FL

Contrary to what some may believe, millipedes are not insects; they are arthropods, closely related to shrimp and lobsters. While they are mostly harmless to your home’s structure, they can become a problem when they venture indoors, especially when they startle or inconvenience residents. Millipedes tend to feed on decaying organic material, but in the absence of this, they might damage soft-stemmed plants, which can be a concern for those with gardens.

Handling millipedes can cause mild skin irritation in some people, so it’s often best to leave their removal to professionals. Investing in a professional pest control plan not only protects your home and garden but also ensures that millipedes won’t return.

Englewood’s environment presents unique challenges for pest control. The local conditions—high humidity, frequent rain, and abundant vegetation—make it essential to choose a pest control service that understands these factors. All U Need Pest Control has been serving Florida residents for over two decades, offering tailored solutions that address the specific needs of our clients in Englewood.

Signs of a Millipede Infestation in Englewood, FL

The key to effective millipede control is early detection. Here’s how you can identify a millipede infestation in your home:

Sightings in Damp Areas

Millipedes are attracted to moisture, so you’re likely to find them in damp areas such as basements, crawl spaces, and bathrooms. In Englewood, where heavy rainfall is common, you might also notice millipedes in your yard or garden, particularly after a storm. When their natural habitats become too wet, millipedes often seek shelter indoors, making these areas prime spots for infestations.

Damage to Plants

While millipedes primarily feed on decaying organic matter, they can also cause damage to soft-stemmed plants when conditions are dry. Englewood’s sandy soils, which drain quickly, can sometimes lead to periods of dryness that encourage millipedes to feed on live plants. If you notice damage to your garden or potted plants, it may be a sign of a millipede problem that needs to be addressed.

Dead Millipedes

Millipedes cannot survive long in dry environments, so you may find their dead bodies in your home, particularly in less frequently visited areas like basements or storage rooms. While it might be tempting to simply sweep them up, finding dead millipedes is often an indication of a larger problem that requires professional intervention.

What Do Millipedes Look Like?

Millipedes are elongated, worm-like creatures with many pairs of legs. Depending on the species, they can have up to 400 legs, which allow them to move efficiently through soil and leaf litter. However, despite their numerous legs, millipedes move much more slowly than other pests.

Here are some of their distinguishing features:

• Millipedes typically have black or dark brown bodies, although some species may be reddish or tan. The species commonly found in Englewood often have dark, shiny exoskeletons.
• They have long, cylindrical bodies that allow them to burrow through soil and organic material.
• Their short antennae, composed of seven segments, help them navigate their surroundings.

Millipedes can live for several years, reaching maturity within two to five years. They reproduce by laying clusters of eggs, which typically hatch within a few weeks, leading to rapid population growth if left unchecked.

Millipedes are often mistaken for centipedes, but there are key differences: millipedes have two pairs of legs per body segment, while centipedes have just one pair per segment. Additionally, centipedes tend to be faster and more aggressive, whereas millipedes are slow and tend to curl up into a coil when threatened.

If you’re unsure whether you have millipedes or another type of pest, All U Need Pest Control can help you identify and treat the problem effectively.

How to Prevent Millipedes in Englewood, FL

While professional pest control is the most effective way to deal with a millipede infestation, there are several steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of these pests entering your home in the first place:

Reduce Moisture Levels

Controlling moisture in your home is key to preventing a millipede infestation. Englewood’s humid climate makes moisture control a challenge, but there are several effective strategies you can use. Installing dehumidifiers and ensuring proper ventilation in moisture-prone areas such as basements and bathrooms can significantly reduce the risk of a millipede problem. Additionally, taking steps like waterproofing your basement or encapsulating your crawl space can further protect your home from excessive moisture.

Englewood’s coastal location means that moisture can be a persistent issue, so it’s important to stay vigilant about managing humidity levels in your home.

Seal Entry Points

Millipedes can enter your home through small cracks and gaps in the building’s exterior. Regularly inspecting and sealing these entry points is essential in a humid climate like Englewood’s, where pests are often driven indoors by wet weather. Using caulk or weatherstripping to seal cracks and gaps can help keep millipedes and other pests out of your home.

For more serious issues, such as large cracks in the foundation or significant structural gaps, it may be necessary to hire a professional contractor to address the problem.

Remove Organic Debris

Millipedes are attracted to decaying organic matter, such as leaves, wood, and mulch. Keeping your yard free of such debris can help deter millipedes from entering your home. In Englewood, where oak trees and other large vegetation are common, regular yard maintenance is crucial for keeping your property less attractive to millipedes.

Consider options like composting organic waste away from your home or hiring a professional service to regularly clean up yard debris. These steps can make a significant difference in preventing a millipede infestation.

Change Your Landscaping

Modifying your landscaping to reduce moisture can be an effective way to prevent millipedes. In Englewood, where summer rains are frequent, installing a drainage system to direct water away from your home can help keep your yard dry and less inviting to millipedes. Additionally, choosing plants that require less water and are less attractive to millipedes can further reduce the risk of an infestation.

Regular maintenance of your landscaping and drainage systems is essential to keep your property free from millipedes and other moisture-loving pests.

Keep Your Home Clean

Millipedes prefer dark, damp places where they can find food and shelter. Keeping your home clean and clutter-free can make it less appealing to these pests. Regularly cleaning and organizing areas like basements, closets, and garages, and ensuring they are well-ventilated, can help reduce moisture and deter millipedes.

In Englewood, where the climate can create ideal conditions for pests, staying on top of household maintenance is especially important.

Work With a Pest Control Expert

The best way to prevent future millipede infestations is to work with a professional pest control expert. Regular inspections and maintenance by a trained professional can help identify potential entry points and problem areas before they become serious issues.

All U Need Pest Control offers comprehensive pest control services in Englewood, including:

• Identifying potential entry points and areas of moisture that could attract millipedes, particularly in Englewood’s humid climate.
• Exterminating any existing millipedes and implementing preventative measures to keep them from returning.
• Providing expert advice on maintaining a pest-free environment, including tips on landscaping, moisture control, and home maintenance.