Millipedes in Salina
Millipedes normally live outdoors where they feed on damp and decaying wood and vegetable matter, as well as tender roots and green leaves on the ground. However, they sometimes do come indoors where they become household pests. Many millipede species protect themselves by releasing an unpleasant odor from a scent-producing gland. Millipedes are found in every U.S. state and can be found here in Salina; they can even be found in Alaska and Hawaii.
Millipede Habitat
In nature, millipedes occasionally feed on young plants but the damage inflicted is seldom significant. Mainly, they scavenge and feed on decaying organic matter. Millipedes require lots of moisture and hide under objects like stones during the day. At night they emerge and crawl about over sidewalks, patios, and foundations. When autumn rolls around with its chillier temperatures, they may migrate into buildings in great numbers.
Millipede Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
While millipedes sometimes enter structures in large numbers, at least they do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases. They also do not infest food, clothing, or wood. Millipedes are simply a nuisance by their presence because people find them creepy, often invading crawl spaces, damp basements, and first floors of structures at ground level. If you see them frequently, it may mean they’re breeding on the lawn in large numbers, or beneath mulch, leaf litter, or debris close to the foundation. Because of their moisture requirement, millipedes do not survive indoors for more than a few days unless there are suitably moist or damp conditions.
If you are dealing with excess millipedes in your Salina property, contact your local exterminators.
