As you are doing some chores around the house, you’re suddenly startled by elongated creatures with countless legs. No, this isn’t a scene from a horror movie. You’ve likely stumbled upon another creepy crawling bug leading you to ask the question, “Why are there millipedes in my house and where are they coming from?”

Are These Millipedes in My House?

You’re not the first if you’ve dealt with these wondering thousand leggers around your place. They and some of their relatives have been on the earth for nearly 400 million years. Scientists believe they may be some of the earliest creatures that moved from the water to land.

While it’s a common mistake to call any minor creepers bugs or insects, millipedes are neither one. Insects and millipedes are arthropods, the largest phylum in the world, with millipedes being more closely related to centipedes, lice, and ticks.

Out of the approximately 7,000 millipede species, at least 1,400 live in the United States and Canada, and many of these species call the Garden State Home. You’re bound to have seen millipedes in your house at one point or another.

How Millipedes in Your House Look

Millipedes in your house are easy to identify by their segmented, wormlike bodies and plethora of legs that give them their name. Depending on the species, they can be anywhere from one-sixteenth to two inches long. Fortunately, you won’t encounter the African species that can grow nearly 14 inches long. Imagine finding that in your basement.

Coloring

These 1,000 leggers blend well with the surrounding dirt, rock, and foliage. They come in various earthy colors, ranging from brown, to black, and even a dull gray. A few species have bright colors, depending on where they live.

Eyes

You’re not apt to see a millipede’s eyes unless you look at it under a magnifying glass. They have several simple eyes called ocelli on the front and sides of their short, round heads. Their ocelli can only detect light and dark, while some species are blind.

Antenna

Their primary navigation source is their antenna that is perpetually tapping in front of them. These creepy crawlers keep their antenna meticulously clean with minute brushes on their front legs. Millipedes also have sensory organs behind their antenna that may sense temperature and humidity.

Spiders have four pairs of eyes, which means a total of eight, but they don’t do them much good. Bugs and insects have complex eyes, and their ability to see is much more enhanced. So, when that spider seems to turn all eight eyes on you, it’s not because they truly comprehend what they see. They will need to use their other senses to help them verify the danger.

Mouth

Unlike their 100 leg cousins, the centipede, aka 1,000 leggers can neither bite nor sting. They have a small, simple mouth opening called a maxilla on the tip of their head. The mouth has elementary jaws that just serve as an opening for food.

The Great 1,000 Leg Myth

Like many people, you might get an immediate sense of repulsion when millipedes in your house scurry across your floor. Something about the wiggly, wormy body and all those legs makes people squeamish. No wonder early scientists called them millipede, meaning 1,000 legs.

Unless you get close enough to count, it may seem like these creatures have an endless supply of legs. However, the 1,000 legs are an ancient generalization that turned into a common myth. It’s the same story with their notoriously nasty cousin, the centipede, or 100 leggers.

Each section of the millipede’s body has two pairs of short, hair-like legs. In reality, most species only have about 40 to 400 legs. However, one rarer species has been noted to have 750 legs, but not 1,000.

Perhaps you’ve observed millipedes in the New Jersey outdoors or your house. You’ll notice that their multiple legs oscillate or move in a wave-like formation. They usually can’t move very quickly, but their legs get them where they want to go.

Habitat

Wherever you travel in the world, you’ll encounter these leggy creatures. Millipedes live on every continent except Antarctica, and they have survived as an organism for millions of years. They are quite at home anywhere soil and decaying matter are found.

They prefer a habitat that’s dark, cool, and damp. One thousand leggers are agile burrowers and often stay hidden in dirt or piles of decaying plant matter. You can find them in your garden, in brushy areas, under rocks, or around your home’s foundation.

Diet

These wormlike arthropods are omnivores, meaning they’ll eat meat or plants. In general, their favorite treat is decaying leaves and other plant matter. They’re a valuable part of bringing nutrients back into the soil.

But when plant matter is scarce, millipedes are fine with munching on dead insects and even larger decaying animals. They’ll dine on the occasional slug or earthworm. Although they won’t eat most processed human food, they will munch on fruit and vegetables.

Behavior

While you can often move rock and see many millipedes scurrying away, they aren’t social. One thousand leggers are loners, and they’re most active at night. The slightest glimpse of light sends them running for cover.

In general, millipedes are shy and docile creatures. Their countless legs aren’t speedy, and they can’t sting or bite. So, their primary strategy for protection is to roll up into a ball.

Life Cycle of Millipede

You’re most likely to see more millipedes in your house during the warm months of June through September. A few weeks after the mating process, the females will find a safe place to lay their eggs. The mothers will deposit up to 300 eggs in the soil.

Egg

It may take up to 90 days for most millipede eggs to hatch. Meanwhile, the mother will guard her underground nest. Some male species will assume the role of protector until the babies emerge from the eggs.

Nymph

The baby 1,000 leggers begin life as nymphs and are a tiny version of their parents. However, they don’t have as many body segments and may only have a few pairs of legs. At this point, they will search for food and fend for themselves.

Most of these scattering creatures spend up to four years as nymphs. As they grow a section at a time, they burrow into the ground. They will shed their old exoskeleton and emerge with a larger body with each molt.

Adult

Finally, the nymphs have molted into full-sized adults. The life cycle starts again, as these new adults finds mates. According to species, the life span of most millipedes can reach up to ten years, maybe more.

Hazards to Humans, Pets, and Property in your Home

Whether you live in a city or the New Jersey countryside, you’ll see 1,000 leggers crawling about in the yard. They prefer damp areas and may congregate in your garden or the brush. You may notice them around the stones in your walkway or along the foundation.

However, millipedes in your house did so accidentally. They can’t reproduce and lay their eggs without soil. If you have a cool, damp basement or cellar, it can keep them cozy. They adore leaky faucets or under washers, or drippy pipes. They can also wander into barns and outbuildings around your property. Unless you discover their hiding place and they scurry away, you won’t see them often during daytime hours.

The wiggly millipede may seem creepy and gross, but they can’t bite or sting. They aren’t aggressive and will just roll into a ball for protection. But that doesn’t mean they are entirely harmless. Millipedes secrete a toxic substance that can irritate your skin if you touch it. It can cause a burning rash if you have sensitive skin.

They are poisonous for pets to consume, but their smelly musk is enough to keep your fur babies at bay. Some millipede species can spray their musk for nearly three feet. If these crawly critters get into your house, they won’t damage the structure, furniture, or clothing. They like plants, and they can nibble and contaminate fruit and vegetables in your pantry. Also, millipedes don’t usually carry diseases harmful to humans and animals.

How to Get Rid of Millipedes in Your Home

In general, 1,000 leggers are beneficial in your garden because they help break down carbon matter. Their constant burrowing also helps aerate your soil and make it drain better. On the other hand, they haven’t welcomed guests in your house.

There’s always the possibility of having an allergic reaction to their smelly musk. You don’t want that sickening scent on any of your furniture or other belongings. Plus, they are high on the “ick” factor and are repulsive to most folks.

Call in the Professionals

Your home belongs to your family and your beloved pets, not millipedes. If you notice any 1,000 leggers that have taken up residence, it’s time to call the New Jersey professionals. Pest control is our business and we can get rid of these creepy crawlers for you.

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