Millipedes

Pest Control for Centipedes and Millipedes

Get Rid of Your Multi-Legged Problem With Ehlers Pest Management

Although centipedes and millipedes don’t carry diseases affecting humans, animals or plants and don’t damage homes, they can be a nuisance–particularly if large numbers get inside your home. Of the two insects, millipedes pose a greater risk of harm.

The control and removal of centipedes and millipedes are two of Ehlers’ primary insect control services throughout Milwaukee, Franklin, Oak Creek, Whitefish Bay, Shorewood, Bayside and other surrounding areas. With us, there are no gimmicks. Just pest control.

Signs You May Have A Centipede Infestation

  • Cold weather – Cold Wisconsin winters often drive pests like centipedes into the warmth of homes and commercial buildings.
  • Moist conditions – Centipedes thrive in moist, damp conditions. Typically, they settle in cracks and crevices in basements, kitchens, and bathrooms.
  • Holes and cracks in the foundation – Centipedes often nest inside small holes and crevices in the walls and foundation of your home.

For more identification tips, check out our pest identification guide.

Milwaukee Centipede Control Identification

Centipedes are yellowish-brown and 1 to 4 inches long with one pair of legs per body segment. They need a lot of moisture and thrive in damp outdoor areas like mulch, compost and flower beds. Indoors, centipedes hide in moist basements, closets or bathrooms and are most active at night. They are often confused with millipedes. The most noticeable difference is that centipedes are flat and run very fast, while millipedes have a rounded, worm-like shape and move much slower.

Milwaukee Millipede Control Identification

Millipedes are brown, 1 to 1.5 inches long, with 30 to 90 legs–two pairs of legs per body segment. Like centipedes, millipedes thrive in the same damp outdoor areas. A change in weather conditions, like a change from moist to dry weather, will stimulate millipedes to seek moisture indoors–usually in bathrooms or basements where there is a lot of moisture.

Are Centipedes and Millipedes A Risk To Humans?

Even though millipedes are not poisonous, many types of them produce defensive sprays containing hydrochloric acid, which can burn your skin and your eyes. If you handle a millipede for any reason, you will likely incite them to spray you and you will notice a distinct odor on your hands. You should thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. If this doesn’t remove the odor, rubbing alcohol will.

Centipedes will occasionally sting humans if they are handled, but their poison is no worse than a bee sting. However, this can cause a serious reaction for those affected by bee stings and other insect venoms. If you are not as affected, the best treatment for a centipede sting is to wash it thoroughly and ice it. Children are the most likely victims of centipede stings, since few adults would even think of picking up a centipede.

Environmentally-friendly, Pet-Friendly and Wallet-Friendly Extermination Methods

Our centipede and millipede control programs utilize eco-friendly insect control methods like locating and removing inhabited materials and potential habitation sites, as well as sealing cracks and holes in the home’s exterior to prevent future infestation. You’ll receive a full report detailing the insect control treatment performed with additional information on preventing future infestations.

Don’t take our word for it, your neighbors in Milwaukee, Glendale, Franklin, and other surrounding counties have relied on our expertise to have a healthier, cleaner, and safer home or business. Find out what they have to say! While other pest control companies might promise a cheap price, they often fall short of fully eradicating the problem. Ehlers is not the next cheap solution. We’re instead a team of well-trained pest control experts who will take the time needed to fully exterminate your pest problem. Ehlers Pest Management makes pest control easy with automated billing, digitized and detailed reports, world-class software and real-time reporting.

Contact Ehlers Pest Management today for more information about our millipede and centipede pest control services!