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millipede invasion ? #942476

Asked August 15, 2026, 8:21 AM EDT

Good morning, I haven't looked up what species it is but we are getting dozens of millipedes inside our house (downstairs) every morning. We've not had this issue before despite being at this house 20 years. Do they like our siding or did we disturb a "nest" while doing yardwork ? Thanks in advance.

Olmsted County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thanks for your question.

For unknown reasons, we have received many questions this summer regarding millipedes. The millipede usually found in Minnesota is the greenhouse millipede. It is sometimes also called a garden milliped (Oxidus gracilis). See:

https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/1494682

https://insectlab.russell.wisc.edu/2019/08/27/millipedes/

https://extension.umn.edu/insect-relatives/sowbugs-millipedes-and-centipedes

https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/ENTO/ENTO-43/ENTO-43.htm

This summer the reports we’ve received indicate that large numbers of millipedes are being found in and around houses in many parts of Minnesota. It is a phenomenon that is actively being studied. So far, at least to my knowledge, there has been no good explanation for this.  They are completely harmless.  If you want to deal with them inside your house, use your vacuum cleaner and discard the bag.  Within two weeks you should stop seeing them inside your house. See:

https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/phr-2020-0025

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4790687/

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news2/2008/sep/162601.htm

https://magazine.outdoornebraska.gov/blogs/nebraska-nature/millipede-migration/

Thanks for consulting us.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 15, 2026, 2:08 PM EDT

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