Silver Bullet Pest ControlCentipede and Millipede Control in NJ
Fast, leggy house centipedes darting across the bathroom floor at night, or dozens of slow, curling millipedes along the basement wall after a rainy week? Both are moisture pests. Silver Bullet Pest Control finds out why they're getting in and what's drawing them, then treats and seals so you stop finding them.
4.9 stars on Google • NJ License 90568B • 15+ years • Based in Garfield • Hablamos español
Not sure which one you have? Text a photo to 973-510-2585 and we'll identify it.
- ✓ Same-day appointments often available
- ✓ Licensed & insured in NJ
- ✓ Homes & businesses
- ✓ English & Español
How do you get rid of centipedes and millipedes?
Centipede and millipede control comes down to two things: drying out the damp spots that attract them and sealing the gaps they use to get inside, backed by a targeted treatment around the foundation and entry points when the numbers are high. Spraying the bugs you see inside does little, because most of them live in the soil, mulch and leaf litter around the house. Silver Bullet Pest Control (NJ License 90568B) helps homeowners across Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties find the cause and keep these pests out. Call or text 973-510-2585 for a free quote.
Centipede vs. millipede: how to tell them apart
They look alike at a glance, but they behave very differently:
| House centipede | Millipede | |
|---|---|---|
| Legs | One pair per body segment; very long legs, about 15 pairs on adults | Two pairs per body segment; many short legs |
| Shape | Flattened, with long antennae and long rear legs | Round, worm-like tube |
| Speed | Very fast; runs and darts | Slow; crawls steadily |
| When disturbed | Runs for cover | Curls into a coil and may give off a smelly fluid |
| What it eats | Other bugs: spiders, silverfish, roaches, ants | Decaying leaves, mulch and plant material |
| Bites? | Rarely; like a bee sting at worst | No, they don't bite |
| Indoors | Can live for a long time in damp basements and bathrooms | Usually dry out and die within a few days |
Seeing other moisture bugs too, like silverfish or water bugs? See why there are bugs in your bathroom and how to get rid of water bugs.
Why centipedes and millipedes come into NJ homes
Moisture
Both need damp places. Leaky pipes, wet basements, sweating walls, bathrooms without fans and crawl spaces with bare soil all hold the humidity they need.
Mulch and leaf litter
Thick mulch beds, leaf piles, firewood and stones against the foundation are where millipedes breed and where centipedes hunt.
Gaps at ground level
Cracks in the foundation, gaps under doors, unsealed sill plates, and openings around pipes, vents and basement windows.
Other bugs to eat
A steady crowd of house centipedes usually means there's prey inside: spiders, silverfish, roaches, crickets or ants.
Older North Jersey homes with stone or block foundations, finished basements and below-grade laundry rooms tend to see the most of both.
House centipedes: fast, creepy, and usually a sign of something else
The house centipede is the one that makes people jump. It's gray-yellow with dark stripes, about an inch or so long, with long legs that make it look much bigger. It runs very fast, often at night, and can climb walls and ceilings.
The good news: house centipedes don't damage the house, don't eat food, and rarely bite people. If one does, it's usually because it was handled or trapped against skin, and it feels like a mild bee sting.
The less-good news: a house centipede that's living indoors is eating something. If you're seeing them often, there's likely a population of other insects in the basement or walls, plus enough moisture to keep everything alive. That's why we look at the whole picture, not just the centipedes.
- Most often seen in basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms and under sinks.
- They hide in cracks, behind baseboards, in floor drains and in clutter during the day.
- Unlike millipedes, they can live and reproduce indoors when humidity is high.
Millipede invasions after rain and in the fall
Millipedes are outdoor animals. They live in soil, mulch and leaf litter, where they help break down dead plant material. Problems start when conditions push large numbers of them toward the house at once:
- After heavy rain, when their soil gets waterlogged.
- During dry spells, when they move toward damp spots by the foundation.
- In late summer and fall, when many species wander looking for places to spend the winter.
That's when people find dozens, or even hundreds, along the garage floor, on the patio, on basement walls or around the doorway. They can't bite and they don't hurt the house, but some give off a fluid that smells bad and can stain surfaces or irritate skin, so use a broom and dustpan or a vacuum rather than bare hands.
Indoors, most millipedes dry out and die within a few days. If they keep coming, the fix is outside: the mulch, the moisture and the gaps.
What you can do to get rid of centipedes and millipedes
Lower the humidity
Run a dehumidifier in the basement, use bathroom exhaust fans, and fix leaky pipes, drains and sweating water lines.
Pull mulch and debris back
Keep a strip of a few inches to a foot next to the foundation clear of mulch, leaves, stones and firewood, and don't overwater beds near the house.
Fix the water around the house
Clean gutters, make sure downspouts carry water away from the foundation, and correct low spots where water pools.
Seal the way in
Caulk foundation cracks, add door sweeps and weatherstripping, and seal gaps around pipes, basement windows and the sill plate.
Clear clutter
Cardboard boxes, piles of clothes and stored items on a damp basement floor give them cover. Store things on shelves or in plastic bins.
Sticky traps along basement walls help you see where they're coming from. Store sprays inside the house rarely solve the problem by themselves.
How professional centipede and millipede control works
When the numbers are high or the DIY steps haven't been enough, a professional visit focuses on the cause:
- Inspection inside and out. We look at the foundation, mulch beds, grading, gutters, basement walls, crawl spaces, drains and bathrooms to see where they're living and how they get in.
- Find the moisture. We point out leaks, damp walls and poor drainage that keep the area attractive.
- Targeted exterior treatment. A treatment around the foundation, door thresholds and entry points stops many of them before they reach the house.
- Treat the cracks and voids indoors where centipedes hide, when needed.
- Deal with the prey. If house centipedes are feeding on spiders, silverfish or roaches, we handle those too, so the centipedes have nothing to stay for.
- Sealing. Closing the gaps at ground level makes a lasting difference.
Many homeowners fold this into recurring residential pest control, which covers a wide range of household pests and comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. For spiders specifically, see our spider control page.
Where you see them, and what it usually means
| Where | Most likely | What usually fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| Basement floor and walls | Both, especially after rain | Dehumidifier, sealing the sill plate and cracks, exterior treatment |
| Bathroom, tub and sink | House centipedes | Exhaust fan, fixing drips, sealing around pipes and baseboards |
| Garage and patio slab | Millipedes in big numbers | Clear mulch and leaves, door sweeps, perimeter treatment |
| Laundry room and floor drains | House centipedes | Fix leaks, keep drains covered, reduce clutter |
| Upstairs bedrooms | Occasional house centipede | Check for other insects they're hunting; seal around windows |
| Crawl space | Both | Moisture control, vapor barrier, ventilation, sealing |
Get a Free Centipede and Millipede Control Quote
Tell us where you're seeing them and how many, and send a photo if you can. We'll explain what's drawing them in and the plan to stop it.
Why homeowners call us
- House centipedes in the bathroom every night
- Millipedes covering the garage floor after rain
- Bugs in a damp or finished basement
- Not sure what the bug is
- They keep coming back every fall
Request Service
🔒 Your info stays private · Hablamos español.
Centipede and Millipede Questions
Do house centipedes bite?
House centipedes rarely bite people. If one does, it's usually because it was picked up or trapped against skin, and it feels like a mild bee sting. Anyone with a reaction that spreads or worsens should see a doctor.
Are millipedes poisonous?
Millipedes don't bite and aren't dangerous to touch, but some release a smelly fluid that can stain surfaces and irritate skin or eyes. Use a broom or vacuum instead of bare hands, and wash up if you handle one.
Why do I have so many millipedes after it rains?
Heavy rain floods the soil and mulch where millipedes live, so they crawl up and out, often toward the house. They gather on patios, garage floors and basement walls, and most dry out and die indoors within a few days.
Should I kill house centipedes?
You don't have to, since they eat other household bugs and don't damage anything. But lots of house centipedes means plenty of moisture and plenty of prey, so the better fix is drying the area out and handling the bugs they're feeding on.
What attracts centipedes to my house?
Moisture and food. Damp basements, bathrooms and crawl spaces give them the humidity they need, and spiders, silverfish, roaches and other insects give them something to eat. Gaps at ground level let them in.
Will a dehumidifier get rid of centipedes and millipedes?
A dehumidifier helps a lot, especially in basements, because both need high humidity to survive. It works best combined with fixing leaks, sealing gaps and clearing mulch away from the foundation.
Is centipede and millipede treatment safe for kids and pets?
Yes, when it's done properly. Most of the work is focused outside around the foundation and in cracks where the bugs hide, and we explain any precautions before we start.
How long does it take to get rid of millipedes?
A professional exterior treatment usually cuts down millipede activity within days. Lasting results depend on fixing the moisture and mulch problems, because new millipedes keep moving in from the yard if conditions stay the same.
Do you serve my town?
We're based in Garfield and serve Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties, with same-day visits often available. We also serve towns in Morris and Union counties with visits scheduled ahead. NJ License 90568B. Call or text 973-510-2585.
¿Hablan español?
Sí, hablamos español. Mande una foto del insecto al 973-510-2585 y le decimos qué es.
Our service area
Bergen County
973-510-2585- Allendale
- Bergenfield
- Bogota
- Carlstadt
- Cliffside Park
- Closter
- Cresskill
- Demarest
- Dumont
- East Rutherford
- Edgewater
- Elmwood Park
- Emerson
- Englewood
- Englewood Cliffs
- Fair Lawn
- Fairview
- Fort Lee
- Franklin Lakes
- Garfield
- Glen Rock
- Hackensack
- Harrington Park
- Hasbrouck Heights
- Haworth
- Hillsdale
- Ho-Ho-Kus
- Leonia
- Little Ferry
- Lodi
- Lyndhurst
- Mahwah
- Maywood
- Midland Park
- Montvale
- Moonachie
- New Milford
- North Arlington
- Northvale
- Norwood
- Oakland
- Old Tappan
- Oradell
- Palisades Park
- Paramus
- Park Ridge
- Ramsey
- Ridgefield
- Ridgefield Park
- Ridgewood
- River Edge
- River Vale
- Rochelle Park
- Rutherford
- Saddle Brook
- Saddle River
- South Hackensack
- Teaneck
- Tenafly
- Teterboro
- Upper Saddle River
- Waldwick
- Wallington
- Washington Township
- Westwood
- Woodcliff Lake
- Wood-Ridge
- Wyckoff
Passaic County
973-510-2585- Bloomingdale
- Clifton
- Haledon
- Hawthorne
- Little Falls
- North Haledon
- Passaic
- Paterson
- Pompton Lakes
- Prospect Park
- Ringwood
- Totowa
- Wanaque
- Wayne
- West Milford
- Woodland Park
Essex County
973-510-2585- Belleville
- Bloomfield
- Caldwell
- Cedar Grove
- East Orange
- Essex Fells
- Fairfield
- Glen Ridge
- Irvington
- Livingston
- Maplewood
- Millburn
- Montclair
- Newark
- North Caldwell
- Nutley
- Orange
- Roseland
- Short Hills
- South Orange
- Verona
- West Caldwell
- West Orange
Hudson County
973-510-2585Union County
973-510-2585- Berkeley Heights
- Clark
- Cranford
- Elizabeth
- Fanwood
- Garwood
- Hillside
- Kenilworth
- Linden
- Mountainside
- New Providence
- Plainfield
- Rahway
- Roselle
- Roselle Park
- Scotch Plains
- Springfield
- Summit
- Union
- Westfield
Morris County
973-510-2585- Boonton
- Butler
- Cedar Knolls
- Chatham
- Denville
- Dover
- East Hanover
- Florham Park
- Hanover
- Kinnelon
- Lincoln Park
- Madison
- Mendham
- Montville
- Morris Plains
- Morristown
- Mountain Lakes
- Parsippany
- Pequannock
- Randolph
- Riverdale
- Rockaway
- Roxbury
- Whippany
Updated November 2026 by the Silver Bullet Pest Control team, Garfield, NJ • NJ License 90568B