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About Jack DeAngelis
Expertise
I can answer questions in any area of entomology (study of insects, spiders, mites, ticks, and other terrestrial arthropods). Contact me about home and garden insects such as aphids and spider mites, insects that bite and sting such as ticks and wasps, and insects that damage homes such as carpenter ants and termites.

Experience
20 years as university extension entomologist, now retired; currently publish a website about home and garden insects.

Organizations
see www.livingwithbugs.com/resume.html

Publications
see www.livingwithbugs.com/resume.html Fine Gardening magazine

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in Entomology (the study of insects)

Awards and Honors
see www.livingwithbugs.com/resume.html

You are here: Experts > Science > Insects/Spiders > Pests > Millipedes

Pests - Millipedes

Expert: Jack DeAngelis - 10/25/2009

Question
Hello Jack,
I have some questions regarding the millipedes i am seeing in my living room, foyer and basement floor and carpet.
<1> What can i do to get rid of them>
<2> What can i do to make sure that this problem never happens again?
<3> Can they bite?
<4> Do they carry any disease?
<5> Where do they come from?
<6> How can they come in the basement floor and basement carpet?
<7> Do they multiply fast?

Thanks,
Shilpa Saxena

Answer
Shilpa,

Millipedes live in the leaf litter layer (dead plant material that accumulates on top of the soil) where they feed on organic material. They enter homes, sometimes in large numbers, following heavy rains because their outside habitat gets flooded. When the outside conditions dry out they will stop coming in. They are harmless and won't multiply indoors, in fact they will die because it is too dry inside most homes. Most likely there are cracks in the foundation or sill plate which allows them to enter. Generally no treatment is necessary but you could try to find and seal these cracks.

I hope this is useful.

Jack DeAngelis
http://www.livingwithbugs.com

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