Centipede & Millipede Control Ann Arbor — What Their Presence Indicates
House centipedes and millipedes are moisture-dependent arthropods that are rarely present in significant numbers unless the conditions supporting them are well established. In Ann Arbor homes, their presence typically indicates excess moisture in basements or crawlspaces, accumulation of organic debris outdoors, or an underlying insect population (house centipedes prey on other insects).
Millipede migration into Ann Arbor properties typically follows predictable conditions: saturated outdoor soil pushes populations toward drier indoor environments, and foundation gaps provide access. Centipedes arrive independently — tracking the cockroaches, silverfish, and other insects that occupy the same basement and crawlspace environments they prefer.
Identifying Which Species You Have in Ann Arbor
Centipedes are fast-moving predators with one pair of legs per body segment. The house centipede can deliver a mild bite if handled. Millipedes are slow-moving detritivores with two pairs of legs per segment. They do not bite but produce defensive secretions that cause skin irritation in some people.
Treatment Approach in Ann Arbor
Lasting centipede and millipede control in Ann Arbor requires two parallel actions: chemical treatment to reduce the current population, and environmental modification to remove the moisture and harborage conditions that will sustain a new one. Perimeter treatment alone produces short-term results. Addressing root conditions produces lasting ones.