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Pest Management Priducts Division of CSPA
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Millipedes
Millipedes are rarely if ever serious pests to the householder. When they do become pests
indoors, control is often best achieved by modifying the sites where they are found by eliminating
the damp areas they need to survive. When millipedes are pests out of doors, four approaches
may be used, all aimed at reducing moist areas. Firstly, clear away piles of debris such as leaves,
brushwood, mulch and rocks. Ventilate crawl spaces. Secondly, de-thatch lawns since dense
thatch traps moisture. Thirdly, mow and edge lawns to speed up drying. Finally, water lawns in
the early morning so that they have all day to dry. If these simple measures are insufficient,
insecticides may be applied to basement walls, beds of flowers and ornamental plants, unfinished
basements and crawl spaces. Wettable powders and micro-encapsulated products are usually best
except in crawl spaces where dusts maybe used. Given the millipedes’ dependance upon
dampness, insecticides should only be used as a last resort. During mass migrations, residual
treatment have little effect owing to the brief exposure of the millipedes to the treated substrates.
Using a shop-vac (a vacuum if indoors) to remove the invaders is more effective.
Centipedes
Control of centipedes is similar to that for millipedes. The best approach is to dry out the affected
areas since centipedes can only survive in damp conditions. Therefore accumulations of leaves,
mulch, brush wood, logs, stones etc should all be removed from the affected area. Firewood
should be stored above ground to allow ventilation. For indoor infestations, a vacuum cleaner is
very useful. These simple measures will minimize, or even eliminate, the need for pesticides.
If the above measures do not work, judicious use of appropriately labeled pesticides is needed.
Residual treatment of building foundation walls, basements, flower and ornamental beds, crawl
spaces and similar areas is needed. Wettable powders and micro-encapsulated products are best.
Eliminating the centipedes’ prey source (insects, spiders, worms etc) will also help.