How to Prevent Millipedes from Entering Your House
Keep Millipedes Out
Find and Seal Points of Entry
The most effective way to prevent millipedes from entering your house is to eliminate potential access points:
- Seal your garage door with weather stripping to close gaps
- Install door sweeps on all exterior doors
- Ensure all windows fully close and repair any damaged screens
- Inspect your basement for cracks in the foundation and seal them with appropriate caulking
- Check utility entry points where pipes and wires enter your home
Remove Millipede Food Sources
Millipedes are herbivores that scavenge for decaying organic matter. Remove these food sources from around your home’s foundation:
- Keep mulch at least 6 inches away from your foundation
- Promptly remove grass clippings after mowing
- Regularly rake and dispose of leaves especially during fall
- Store woodpiles elevated and away from your house
- Remove rotting plants or vegetation from garden beds near your home
Control Moisture Around Your Home
Millipedes require high moisture levels to survive, making moisture control essential for prevention:
- Adjust sprinkler systems to avoid creating standing water near your foundation
- Repair interior and exterior water leaks promptly
- Clean gutters and downspouts regularly to ensure proper drainage
- Run your sump pump as needed to remove excess water
- Use dehumidifiers in basements, crawl spaces, and other high-humidity areas
- Improve ventilation in moisture-prone areas of your home
- Grade soil away from your foundation to prevent water accumulation
Where to Look for Millipedes in Your Home
When conducting millipede prevention inspections, focus on dark, damp areas of your home including basement corners, crawl spaces, under sinks, and near floor drains. Outside, check areas with excessive moisture like mulch beds, under rocks, logs, and areas with poor drainage around your foundation.When to Call Professional Help
Professional intervention is necessary when:
- You continue to find millipedes despite implementing prevention measures
- Your home has significant moisture issues that are difficult to address
- You’ve identified multiple entry points that are challenging to seal
- Large numbers of millipedes are appearing around your property seasonally
- You need a comprehensive inspection to identify hidden entry points or moisture problems
