With fall approaching and the last few weeks of rain we’ve had in the Carolinas, you may be spotting more millipedes than usual. And for many people, these worm-like arthropods are the definition of creepy crawlies. Whether stretched out and crawling or curled up in tight spirals, these many-legged creatures can give even the bravest soul a bit of a scare when found under a flowerpot outside or in the basement under a pile of boxes.

Thankfully, millipedes are not particularly dangerous to humans, though they certainly aren’t pleasant. While millipedes do not bite, some of them produce a foul-smelling chemical excretion from glands on the sides of their bodies. Some can even eject the toxic secretion a distance of more than two feet! This odorous liquid can cause a burning sensation or blisters on humans if you touch or handle millipedes, so be sure to never pick up them up.

Millipedes begin moving around more in early fall and after rains since they are drawn to dark, damp places but need to flee if their homes in the soil become overly wet. If you notice one or two millipedes in your house, odds are that many more have moved in. The experts at Thompson Brothers Exterminating are trained to remove the pests and prevent future millipede infestations in a manner most appropriate for your house, basement or crawl space.

Finding millipedes inside your home or office may also be an indication of a moisture problem either inside or around the outside of your home. Thankfully, Thompson Brothers’ professionals can treat, seal and waterproof basements and crawl spaces.

So whether you want to get rid of the creepy crawlies or solve an overall moisture issue, contact Thompson Brothers Exterminating and Waterproofing today.