Centipedes and Millipedes in Palm Beach County

Centipedes and Millipedes

Palm Beach County humidity is ideal for centipedes and millipedes. They usually live in mulch, leaf litter and other damp spots outdoors, then wander inside after heavy rain or when irrigation keeps the soil wet.

Centipedes and millipedes prefer humid climates which makes Florida the perfect area for them. These insects are generally considered nuisance pests and usually do not cause significant infestations in the homes they are found in. They are not known to damage personal belongings, homes, or food.

After summer storms here, these arthropods often show up along baseboards and in garages that stay damp, especially where mulch sits against the slab.

Centipedes

Centipedes typically have legs ranging from 10 to 100 depending on the species. They are usually brown and can move very fast across the surfaces they are on present on. They can be distinguished from millipedes by the large pair of antennae on the front of their heads. These insects have venom glands used to immobilize their prey and are active at night. (Insect pictured below in sand)

Millipedes

Millipedes are wormlike insects with a large amount of body segments with each bearing two pairs of legs. These pests will coil up tightly and secrete a foul-smelling liquid when disturbed. These insects feed on decaying vegetation and often found in areas where there is abundant moisture. (Insect pictures above in the hand)

Are Centipedes or Millipedes Dangerous?

No, millipedes are harmless and the worst thing they are capable of is releasing a foul smell when threatened. Centipedes do have a venom gland that they use to immobilize their prey, but the venom is not strong enough to be lethal to humans. Centipede bites from smaller species cannot penetrate human skin, however bites from the larger species can be painful.

After tropical downpours, centipedes and millipedes migrate out of damp leaf litter and mulch beds around Palm Beach County slab homes and end up along baseboards and in garages.

Service areas

We help Palm Beach County homes and businesses with Centipedes and Millipedes in Palm Beach County, including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Jupiter, Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Lantana. From our base in Lantana we also serve nearby Broward communities. See all 49 service areas.

Related reading: general household pest control and our pest library.

The common house centipede can bite if it is handled, but it is not looking to bite people. It hunts other insects. Large numbers usually mean there is moisture and other pest activity worth inspecting.

Millipedes live in wet organic matter. Tropical rain saturates their outdoor harborage, so they migrate to foundations and door thresholds. Drying out mulch beds, fixing irrigation overspray and sealing door sweeps reduces those invasions.

Centipedes are flatter, faster and have one pair of legs per body segment. Millipedes are more rounded, move slowly and have two pairs of legs per segment. Millipedes feed on decaying plant material; centipedes hunt insects.

Yes. Exterior service on a general house plan includes a knock-down of the pests present that day and attention to the foundation, weep holes and damp harborage where these arthropods collect. We also point out irrigation or drainage issues that keep the problem going.

Often the better fix is exterior moisture control plus sealing entry points. We treat inside when we find them harboring in bathrooms, closets or garages. A complimentary inspection tells you which is needed.

Call (561) 725-5274 to Speak With a Representative.

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I used Q and L Pest Management to tent my house for termites. They walked me through the whole process and made the undertaking as painless as possible. Highly recommend their services.

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I had a great experience with Q&L! I was having issues with spiders at my home, I called Q&L and they were there the next day. They’re very knowledgeable and did a very thorough inspection of the house to make sure they were getting to the root of the problem. I will continue to use them and would recommend them to anyone!

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John was very professionally and knowledgeable. The service was great, no more roaches!!!!

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John was super professional and on-time, which is hard to come by for pest management services. We were worried our house was going to fall over based on a previous inspection, but after speaking with John during his initial consultation he assured us he could handle the task at hand. He was incredibly professional and focused on the entomology instead of being overly sales-pitchy. Highly recommend!

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John is professional, dependable, and treated our property like it was his own. Highly recommend his services, couldn’t have been more pleased with the quick results!

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