Comment se débarrasser des mille-pattes

Millipedes are medium to large invertebrates, native to all continents except Antarctica. In general these arthropods are harmless to humans and domestic animals, but they can be considered local household and garden pests when it comes to certain crops. Although they do not bite or sting and most people react to contact with the defense chemicals they secrete with only temporary skin discoloration, more serious reactions have been encountered.
Some tropical species have secretions that cause pain, itching, eczema, swelling, blistering and even sensitive and cracked skin. If the eyes are exposed to these secretions, they become red and irritated, and the risk of serious complications, such as conjunctivitis and keratitis, arises. In addition, there are people who can have severe allergic reactions to these secretions.
Centipedes enjoy moist environments and live mostly outdoors, on forest floors, under rocks, in leaf canopies, dead wood, and even soil; however, in the fall or after a drastic change in their habitat (such as a massive flood), centipedes have been found to migrate, and in the process, they can find a way into homes, through basement doors and windows, open garage doors, cracks, and crevices. If conditions outside are too wet or too dry, you may find these pests making their way into your home.

Signs of infestation

Often the only sign of a millipede infestation is sighting. Around homes, millipedes can be found on porches and patios , in flowerbeds and gardens, under structures such as sheds or doghouses, etc. They live in damp rooms such as basements, under furniture or storage boxes. Kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms are ideal habitats due to the moisture. If the infestation is severe enough, an unpleasant odor can sometimes indicate their presence.
Since millipedes feed on decaying vegetation, avoid leaving root crops, decaying flower bulbs and overripe fruit on damp ground, as this will immediately become a food source for them.

Getting rid of centipedes

A quick solution to eliminating millipedes from homes, especially walls and floors, is to use a vacuum cleaner. For a more noticeable effect, you can use an industrial vacuum cleaner, which you can rent. Alternatively, if you don’t have one, you can use a contact spray insecticide, which kills quickly, after which you can simply sweep the millipedes away. However, this can only kill individuals that are in sight, and is therefore only a temporary solution.
The first step in a more complex treatment program is an inspection, the purpose of which is to find the exact species of millipede that is bothering you, as well as the extent and source of the infestation. Then, chemical and non-chemical treatment methods are available. It is also important to maintain your lawn as long grass and areas with dense thatch can become very wet. Reducing vegetation will help dry out the area which will become inhospitable to millipedes. Water your lawn in the morning so that you give it a chance to dry out by the time the millipedes become active at night. Watering it in the evening will do more harm and so will leaving piles of dead leaves or other debris unattended. Remove anything that can provide shelter for these insects, such as trash piles, rocks, boards, leaves, mulch and compost, as these are the best hiding places. Firewood should also be stored in the basement as it can provide the millipedes with perfect shelter. Removing decaying organic matter can also eliminate food sources for these pests, while trimming shrubs will also allow for drier conditions that keep the millipedes away.
Make sure rainwater drains away from your home, as this can also cause a lot of moisture problems if it seeps into your basement. Divert rainwater as far away from your home as possible and make sure that you waterproof the foundation of the house. Sealing other cracks and crevices that you find in your walls can also prevent millipedes from entering your home, and thus, you can keep the infestation outside. Strapping can be used on doors and windows and screens can be installed over ventilation gaps.

Inside the house, you can get rid of centipedes by vacuuming and using natural control methods. Chemicals can also be used for centipede treatment, but make sure you use the right type of indoor treatment.

Non-chemical control

Non-chemical methods generally involve taking steps to ensure that there are no suitable entrances and habitats for millipedes inside and outside your home. These steps should generally be taken even if you decide to use a chemical treatment, and will go a long way in preventing another population of millipedes from moving into your home and causing a new infestation.
Two natural ways to keep millipedes away from around your home involve using wood ashes and chickens. Wood ashes are a known millipede deterrent. If you mix them with soil, they will dry out, creating a very unsuitable environment for millipedes, so they are a great product to use in your yard or right next to the foundation of your home. Chickens, on the other hand, are natural predators of centipedes and a variety of other pests, and so it can be used to get rid of these invaders, if you have the ability and energy to raise them.
You can use diatomaceous earth sprinkled in problem areas or inside cracks in walls. Centipedes that walk through this powder will have cuts in their outer skeleton and die of dehydration. Boric acid has the same effect and can be used in the same way as diatomaceous earth, killing them on contact, although boric acid takes effect after it has been eaten by the insect as it acts as a poison.

Chemical control

Chemical methods refer to the use of chemical pesticides that can help you kill or remove millipedes from your home, and are the most effective solutions when dealing with an infestation. The most common forms of pesticides are aerosol insecticides, powders, dusts, residual granules, and liquid sprays. The active ingredients known to be effective against millipedes include: amorphous silica gel, propoxur, pyrethrins, cyfluthrin, piperonyl butoxide, deltamethrin, lambda cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, bifenthrin, and hexahydroxyl. You can also use diatomaceous earth or boric acid; however, they have a more organic base.

Spraying concentrated insecticides for millipede control:

Concentrated insecticides are the most widely used products in the fight against insect infestations. They offer the certainty that any insect coming into contact with the treated surfaces will die in a very short time.

Sprayers used for millipede control:

The equipment needed for treatment depends on the type of pest being treated and whether the surface is indoors or outdoors. Sprayers are used to apply products that are designed to reach difficult areas, while ensuring economical application of the solution.

The product you choose should be applied to potential entry points and known harborage sites, and you can also use it around your home where you think it might be possible for millipedes to congregate. Additionally, you can mix it into soil or debris, where the chemicals will easily reach the millipedes and help keep the population under control.

Keep in mind that removing moisture from infected areas remains a very important issue, as pesticides (powders in particular) cannot work to their full potential if applied in humid environments. Be sure to check what type of chemicals you are using, as powders work better in a dry environment and some solutions diluted with water are better applied so that they penetrate the soil. Raking the soil in advance could also help in such situations.

Powdered insecticides for millipede control:

Powder insecticides are ideal for surfaces where liquid insecticides cannot be sprayed, such as cracks and electrical installations. Apply to dry surfaces, do not dissolve in water. It is very important to identify and treat areas with high nesting potential. Be careful of airflow!

Before applying chemicals it is important that you make your home inhospitable to millipedes, so that you do not continue to provide them with food and shelter, and thus attract more individuals. When dealing with an internal infestation, also make sure to change the humidity level of your home and keep a high level of sanitation, so that other insects are not attracted to your home. Use aerosol sprays that kill on contact if you vacuum if this is not effective enough for an internal infestation. You can also use sprays on windows and door frames, as well as a millipede repellent coating, or you can apply them when dealing with cracks where it is difficult to use granules or powders.

Make sure that in addition to all these control methods that you should use in combination, you are constantly aware of the risk of another infestation. Preventing this from happening can be done by exclusion methods, whether natural or chemical, and by always being prepared to fight the millipedes at the slightest sign of their presence. For more details on how to avoid millipedes in the future, check out our article on How to Prevent Millipede Infestation .