Are The Millipedes In Nashville Dangerous?
Seeing a new type of creature is always amazing. With so many variations of color and appearance, every animal on the planet is unique in its own way. Millipedes are no exception. These long, multi-legged, hard-shelled arthropods are fascinating to look at and have proven useful in the advancement of technology. What these tiny creatures aren’t, is welcome around Nashville home. Although fascinating, millipedes are invasive and troublesome pests. The question is, are they dangerous as well? Today we will be talking about the threats millipedes pose and sharing with you some methods that will help you keep these pests out of your home.
What Are Millipedes
Millipedes have segmented, multi-legged, and hard-shelled bodies. Common millipedes around Nashville are brown in color and have anywhere between 80 and 400 legs, with two sets on every segment of their body. These long pests are often mistaken for centipedes. Although both of these pests are invertebrates, centipedes are much faster and have legs that protrude out from their bodies. A millipede’s main diet consists of decaying plant matter and dead insects.
Nocturnal by nature, millipedes will hide during the day and only come out at night to hunt for food and water. Out in nature, millipedes will use foliage, decaying vegetation, trash, grass clippings, mulch, leaves, and other areas of high humidity to hide. Inside homes, these pests will seek out moisture around basements, crawl spaces, and storage closets, however, it is possible to see these pests in any room of your home.
As the weather cools down in late fall here in Nashville, millipedes will be looking to escape the cold in large numbers. If your home has entry points millipedes can use to get inside, they will be likely to try to invade this year.
Threats Millipedes Pose
The good news is that millipedes are not dangerous pests. They cannot sting, they don’t bite, and they are not known for spreading dangerous diseases. What they are capable of is releasing a foul-smelling fluid from the openings along their sides. They release this substance when millipedes feel threatened, or when individuals interact with them. If you are allergic to millipedes, be extra careful around these pests as interacting with them might cause a rash or itchy skin. To find out if you have allergies to these pests, consult with your doctor.
Prevention Tips For Millipedes
Millipedes enter into homes in several ways for several reasons. To prevent these troublesome pests from getting into your Nashville home, use these detailed prevention tips.
Using a caulking gun or liquid cement fill in cracks in your home’s exterior foundation and gaps around window and door frames.
Inspect weather stripping and door sweeps around your home and make sure they are properly installed and damage-free.
Keep unscreened doors, and windows closed as much as possible.
Eliminate clutter and debris from around your property.
Keep your grass cut short and your landscaping well maintained.
Limit sources of standing water around your property.
Fix leaky pipes and repair broken gutters.
Turn off exterior lights at night or invest in insect-resistant light bulbs.
How To Get Rid Of Millipedes
If you are having trouble with millipedes around your home and need some assistance getting them out, let us help. The professionals at Urbanex Pest Control have the experience and tools needed to effectively address any pest problem your home is facing.
Give us a call today for advice about your millipede problem or to schedule a service visit for your Nashville home. Our team is standing by and ready to find a solution to your pest troubles.
Request Your Free Inspection
Complete the form below to schedule your no obligation inspection.