Posted by Kristi Ambrose on August 5, 2007

Q: Ive seen Millipede's often enough so I do know what they look like. Its another problem Im having thats quite bothersome. We just moved towards the "country" so theres tons of little bugs around here some of which Ive never seen before. It just rained pretty heavily today, on our deck out back before it rained I was noticing a few Millipede's here and there. But now that its rained our deck is literally covered in Millipede's. And I had a question about that. Im noticing that A LOT if not all the Millipede's are carrying on their backs.. other Millipede's. Is this some sort of a mating ritual? They keep crawling along just fine but just like a double decker bus its a double decker Millipede. Kind of cool to look at but quite curious as to what they are doing it for.

Secondly I just went out FRONT and had a look at our driveway (asphalt) and had noticed something else quite odd, theres thousands of dead Millipede's ALL over the driveway. Curled up in tiny little balls like they do when they are touched. What happened to all of them? WHy are they all dead out front on the drive, but thriving out back on the deck? I walked down the street a bit and no one elses driveways are like this.

I know they pose no real threat but they are starting to come inside our house. Is there anything I can do about this? I dont want to kill them especially if they are mating, but its just getting to the point where enough is enough already.

Sorry for the long question(s). Thanks. OH and btw there is a mixture of both hills/meadows and woods.

Habitat: field/meadow

State: Pennsylvania

Habitat: field/meadow

A: Nice photo!!! I too have had trouble with thousands of these millipedes around my house for a second year now. These animals are harmless but not much fun in the house. Once in the house, they seem to dry out quickly and die. I did find a reasonable website from Iowa that gives some advice on what to do at www.ipm.iastate.edu

Although there are many businesses that will come in and spray for you, it sounds as though this is not very helpful and certainly not very healthful. Apparently these animals reproduce quickly under certain conditions and in the right kind of weather (moist and warm) they migrate enmasse. Sorry but I can't figure out why they'd die on your driveway unless they're drying out quickly there but not on your deck. I've resorted to using my vacuum to keep their numbers down in my basement but hate doing that. I think soon their numbers will dwindle and you won't have this problem again for at least a year or longer. I haven't noticed the "doubling up" behavior at all but would surmise that it is related to mating as you suggested. Hope this helps a wee bit. Thanks for asking.

John Wiessinger ( August 6, 2007)