Millipedes, known as "thousand feet." are common insects in the rainy season. These moisture-loving pests have tan or black coloring, segmented bodies, and numerous legs. They are often mistaken for centipedes because of their small antennae and large mandibles.
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How millipedes feed
Plants and tiny insects are the food of this creepy creature. They usually consume dead or decaying matter, which is harmless to healthy plants. However, they can destroy young plants. There is no danger for humans from millipedes. Gardeners believe that having them around is beneficial because they feed on decaying matter and reduce populations of smaller insects.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Millipedes
Essential Oils
Essential oils with thier calming and energizing scents can deter millipedes from entering your home. Add a few drops of tea tree or peppermint oil to a glass sprayer full of water. Spray it on the areas where you notice millipede activity. It will help you to remove centipedes and millipedes naturally.
Use of Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring powder and is the best non-chemical way to eliminate millipedes. Additionally, you can kill bed bugs with diatomaceous earth. Pour a thin layer of diatomaceous earth around the edges of rooms, between door gaps, in the soil of your houseplants, under furniture, and appliances while donning a face mask to prevent inhaling the powder. Spread it around the base of your home, in gardens, and under fences to treat the yard. You can also use diatomaceous earth to eliminate earwigs in your garden.
Use of Boric Acid to Get Rid of Millipedes
Boric acid is a natural powder that kills insects, similar to diatomaceous earth. Be careful while using this product near children or pets. Sprinkle boric acid powder over the locations where you see millipedes, cover the area with a thin layer. When the bug consumes the powder, its digestive system is upset, and its exoskeleton is damaged as it crawls across it.
Eliminating Millipedes with Bleach
Everything, including insects and mold, is destroyed by bleach. However, suppose you use too much of this liquid. In that case, it can stain surfaces, so diluting it with water before using it as a pest control method is crucial. A slight bleach and a few drops of liquid dish soap can be added to water in a spray bottle to create a centipede-killing solution that kills millipedes and other insects. If you see millipede activity on hard surfaces, label the container, shake it well, spray it there, or spray the millipedes to kill them instantly.
Use Sulfur Powder to Repel Millipedes
Most industrial supply stores carry pure sulfur powder, which has an odor that deters millipedes, beetles, spiders, chiggers, mites, and other household pests. Though it smells just as harmful to humans, try to avoid using it in areas where you spend a lot of time. To create a natural millipede barrier around your home, sprinkle the sulfur powder on the surfaces. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and apply a sulfur foliar spray around your garden and yard. The spray is a natural fungicide for growing plants and discourages millipedes and other insects.
Cayenne Pepper to repel Millipedes
Millipedes and many other insects are deterred by the cayenne pepper's aroma and heat level. It's one of the most straightforward methods of pest control and a fantastic natural substitute for insecticides with a chemical basis.