Centipede & Millipede Control in Alabama
Millipedes migrate in hundreds after rain. Centipedes appear in bathrooms year-round. Both signal moisture problems near your foundation — and both are treatable.
Centipedes and millipedes are moisture-loving pests that invade Alabama homes after heavy rain. House centipedes are fast predators found in bathrooms year-round. Millipedes invade in mass migrations during wet weather — sometimes hundreds in a single day. Both indicate excess moisture around your foundation that needs to be addressed.
Centipede vs Millipede
Centipedes are flat, fast, and have one pair of legs per body segment. They're predators that eat roaches, silverfish, and other insects — so their presence inside usually means their prey is there too. House centipedes can deliver a painful bite but rarely do. Millipedes are round and slow, with two pairs of legs per segment. They eat decaying plant matter and migrate en masse when their soil habitat floods.
Why They Come Inside
Both species need moisture to survive. Finding them indoors signals excess moisture from poor drainage, leaky pipes, or inadequate ventilation around your foundation. Millipede mass migrations happen after heavy rain saturates soil — hundreds may appear against your foundation overnight, then work their way inside through any gap.
North Alabama Note
Limestone geology in North Alabama (Huntsville area) creates natural underground voids where centipedes and cave crickets thrive. Homes in Madison County see higher centipede pressure than homes on clay soils further south.
How We Treat
Perimeter barrier spray around your foundation and entry points stops both species. Granular treatment in mulch beds and leaf litter where millipedes breed. Interior treatment in bathrooms, basements, and utility areas. We also identify contributing moisture issues — drainage problems and clogged gutters are the most common causes of heavy centipede and millipede pressure.
Common Questions
Why suddenly hundreds of millipedes after rain?
Soil oversaturation forces them out of their underground habitat. They migrate to the nearest dry area — your foundation. A perimeter barrier already in place intercepts them before entry.
Does mulch attract them?
Yes. Keep mulch at least 6 inches from your foundation and no more than 2–3 inches deep. Deep mulch against the house creates ideal millipede habitat and bypasses your perimeter treatment.
Centipede and millipede control is included in our bi-monthly plan — 30+ pests, starting at $35/month. Call today:
- Birmingham — (205) 940-6360
- Lake Martin / Alex City — (256) 234-6162
- Huntsville — (256) 937-7676
Ready to Schedule?
Call the EnviroCare office nearest you.