Why Centipedes and Millipedes in Menlo Park Properties Are a Symptom, Not Just a Problem
House centipedes and millipedes are moisture-dependent arthropods that are rarely present in significant numbers unless the conditions supporting them are well established. In Menlo Park 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).
Millipedes feed on decomposing plant matter and are driven indoors when soil becomes saturated — typically after sustained rainfall or autumn wet periods. They enter through foundation gaps, door thresholds, and utility penetrations, often appearing in large numbers overnight. Centipedes enter separately, following the insect prey populations that live in the same damp conditions.
Centipedes vs. Millipedes
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 Menlo Park
Lasting centipede and millipede control in Menlo Park 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.