Why am I seeing little brown worms inside my basement?

I’ve spotted small brown worms in my basement - what are they and why are they showing up indoors?

If you’ve spotted little brown worms in your house that curl up when disturbed, you’re most likely looking at millipedes. While they’re not actually worms, these arthropods are often mistaken for worms because of their long, segmented bodies and habit of rolling into a tight coil when touched.

Millipedes are common occasional invaders in homes and appear most often when conditions outside are damp, driving them indoors in search of drier shelter. Basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms are common areas where people find these arthropods.

Millipedes are mostly harmless and do not bite, though their bristles can sometimes cause a mild irritation and they can emit a foul odor. However, spotting them inside your property crawling along the floor can be unsettling, and they may show up in large numbers during certain seasons, such as spring to fall.

To help prevent and control millipedes around your home you can:

• Vacuum or sweep them up to remove them
• Look for ways to reduce excess moisture around your foundations by removing standing water and mulch around the edge of your property
• Seal potential entry points around doors and windows, they often enter under doors so installing door sweeps can help to keep them out
• Homeowners can also help prevent return invasions with liquid residual pesticides, baits or dusts. Make sure to read the entire label prior to use and follow all the label directions, restrictions, and precautions.

DIY efforts can help temporarily but often don’t address the root cause. If you’re dealing with recurring problems with millipedes or any other pests, our technicians can identify entry points and develop custom plans to help protect your home