Millipedes
Millipedes are very common across Australia and generally prefer to live in your garden or lawn, but they do like to wander into our homes. Millipedes are practically harmless and are quite beneficial in nature due to their habit of eating dead and decaying plants as well as smaller insects. However, too many of them around can quickly become an unsightly and annoying problem overnight, particularly when dealing with seasonal millipede infestations.
About millipedes in South Australia
Portuguese Millipedes have taken to our Australian vegetation and thrived since their accidental introduction and first detection back in the 1950s. They range between 12 to 50mm long and they have a tube-like body that is generally brown or black. Their antennae are relatively short and they have two legs per body segment, with the number of legs ranging between 40 to as much as 400.
Millipedes love leafy vegetation, and your well-mulched garden areas are the perfect environment for them. During the winter months, they tend to stay undercover, and you may find them under piles of wet leaves or where weeds provide good ground cover. You will generally see more millipedes around in the autumn, as they actively prepare for the winter months, and in spring when they emerge to lay their eggs. Adult millipedes are easily spotted as they are much longer than juveniles, which are generally only around three segments long.
Millipedes do not possess the ability to bite, sting, transmit disease, or cause any structural damage, but certain species have been observed to discharge a noxious secretion that can cause irritation to some people’s skin and eyes.
Millipedes in and around the home
According to the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA, if you see millipedes inside, it’s only because they have wandered in accidentally after being attracted to your lights at night. They generally do not live inside houses and prefer to be outside in the soil. They won’t breed inside your home.
If you see one or two inside, just sweep them up and place them back outside, further away from the house. However, if you are experiencing a mass infestation, you might find them in unsightly dense piles around the house as invasions in the hundreds and even thousands can occur quickly. If this is the case, the safest and most straightforward approach is to call a millipede pest control professional to help you deal with your circumstances.
How Greens can help you with millipedes
With over 35 years of experience dealing with pests in Adelaide, Greens Environmental Pest Services has seen all sorts of millipede infestations. Once we've inspected your property, we can advise you on the most suitable millipede control treatment for your situation, as well as advice and some simple strategies to reduce the likelihood of future infestations.
The millipede treatment we recommend will depend highly on where your problem pests are and how many are present. In most situations this involves the application of a wide band of spray to external areas of the house, perimeter, and garden beds.
We can also use eco-friendly pest control methods, typically involving naturally occurring ingredients or non-toxic pesticides. Knowing where to place them is critical for these methods to be most effective, which is why a millipede pest control professional should be contacted.
Greens puts safety first
Safety is always a top priority when pest control treatments and humans come into contact. We always take measures to ensure the safety of your pets, curious children, and all other household members (or visitors) when applying pesticides. Generally, the only requirement is simply restricting access to the treated areas for a short time, but if an alternative approach is required to ensure safety, we will happily discuss the options with you that take into account your unique situation.
Call us to book a pest inspection today. Our millipede pest control specialist will assess the level of infestation and help you determine the best course of action to take.
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