Centipede & Millipede Control in Roswell

Centipedes & Millipedes: What Roswell Homeowners Should Know

How They Differ & What Risk They Pose

Centipedes and millipedes aren’t insects. They belong to a separate group of arthropods called myriapods, distinct from the ants and roaches most people picture when they think of household pests. Neither carries diseases that affect people, animals, or plants, but they behave very differently when disturbed.

Centipedes have poison glands and can bite. Bites are uncommon and rarely serious, but they’re worth avoiding. Millipedes don’t bite, though many species produce defensive secretions that irritate skin and can cause allergic reactions. Some species’ secretions contain hydrochloric acid capable of chemically burning skin on contact. If you crush a millipede indoors, the fluids can also leave a stain on floors and surfaces.

Millipedes have rounded, wormlike body segments, each bearing two pairs of legs. They don’t damage your home’s structure, but a large migration indoors is unpleasant and warrants treatment.

Why Roswell’s Climate & Geography Drive Infestations

Roswell, Georgia sits in a humid subtropical climate with rainfall distributed across the entire year, not concentrated in a single wet season. That sustained moisture creates year-round conditions that centipedes and millipedes need to survive. The city’s southern boundary follows the Chattahoochee River, and riparian corridors like that one can push moisture-dependent pest populations toward surrounding neighborhoods.

Both pests are most active at night and gravitate toward moist habitats: leaf litter, mulch beds, soil against the foundation, and poorly ventilated crawlspaces. Millipedes can climb exterior walls and enter homes through ground-level door gaps, foundation cracks, and openings just above the foundation line. During certain periods, millipede migrations can bring large numbers into a home in a short window of time.

Prevention Steps Between Professional Visits

Professional centipede and millipede control works best when homeowners reduce the conditions that attract these pests in the first place. A few consistent habits make a real difference:

• Clear harborage from the perimeter: Remove leaf piles, woodpiles, boards, rocks, and compost from directly against the foundation to eliminate resting and breeding sites.
• Tighten door and window seals: Doors and windows that don’t fit snugly are common entry points; weatherstripping and door sweeps close those gaps.
• Seal foundation cracks: Caulk crevices and gaps at and just above the foundation line, where millipedes most often enter.

These steps won’t eliminate a persistent infestation on their own, but they reduce pressure between scheduled treatments and help our perimeter applications last longer.