Wet weather for the past several summers has favored these beneficial, organic matter recyclers to the point they are a major nuisance to many homeowners. Millipedes live outdoors in damp areas such as under leaves, in cracks and crevices and under mulch around outdoor plantings where they feed on damp and decaying vegetable matter. They are most active at night and usually hide during the day. They characteristically coil into a spiral when handled or when they die in the corner of the basement. The typical millipede has approximately 160 very short legs on the entire length of the body underside.
Millipedes only become a pest when they move indoors as accidental invaders.
They do not feed upon building structures or furnishings, they can not bite or sting and they do not reproduce inside the house. Millipedes found inside wandered in by mistake, and controls should be aimed at keeping them outdoors or reducing their numbers at the source. Cracks, gaps and other points of entry around windows and doors and in foundation walls should be sealed if possible. Removing organic matter such as plant mulch and dead leaves from against the house may help achieve control. Also, damp conditions around the house foundation should be eliminated.