Irvine Centipede & Millipede Infestation — Reading the Underlying Cause
Centipedes and millipedes require specific conditions to establish in significant numbers — and those conditions are almost always correctable. In Irvine properties, consistent centipede or millipede activity points to excess moisture in the basement or crawlspace, organic debris accumulation around the foundation, or an underlying insect population that centipedes are following as a food source.
Millipedes, which feed on decaying organic matter, often invade in large numbers after heavy rainfall — migrating from outdoor mulch and leaf litter into foundations and through gaps in the building envelope. Centipedes follow the insects they feed on.
Identifying Which Species You Have in Irvine
Centipedes move fast — one pair of legs per body segment, predatory, and capable of a mild bite if directly handled. The house centipede is the most common indoor species and is attracted by the insects it hunts. Millipedes move slowly, coil when disturbed, have two pairs of legs per segment, and feed on decaying matter rather than other insects. They do not bite but produce defensive secretions that can irritate skin and eyes.
How We Treat Centipede & Millipede Infestations in Irvine
Lasting centipede and millipede control in Irvine 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.