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Little Blighters

floraltipsfloraltips Posts: 89
in Plants
How do I get rid of them? They're obviously coming from the garden but every time I open my front door they drop to the floor from the door seals. Dozens of them. I sweep up twice a day everyday.
This will go on all summer. I collected thousands last year and it's started again.
Any suggestions welcome.

Posts

  • DimWitDimWit Posts: 553
    edited April 2018
    They look like millipedes. They are detritivores, that is, they feed on decayed matter like dead leaves and twigs etc. Is there a (big and sheltered) source of these nearby? If you clear areas with this kind of debris, you will get rid of their nesting place...
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    edited April 2018
    Cute.   :/  The stuff of nightmares.  
    Utah, USA.
  • floraltipsfloraltips Posts: 89
    DimWit..I just have a tiny garden, couples of raised beds which are clear at the minute and another small grassy weedy bit which will be getting the "no dig" treatment shortly. 
    There's nowhere like you describe. I've already had a root around and couldn't find any nests.
    Blue Onion..it it like a plague here at times 🐍
  • DimWitDimWit Posts: 553
    Neighbours? Rotten wood?
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    floraltips said:
    They're obviously coming from the garden

    Are you sure about that? Millipedes are an indicator of damp penetration and wood rot in houses. Are you sure you don't have any structural issues that are creating the problem? Maybe a suspended floor that isn't properly ventilated or a leaking roof? If there's that many it's likely they have a nice warm, predator free place to breed with plenty of food inside your house somewhere.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • floraltipsfloraltips Posts: 89
    Definitely coming from outside. Just been out there with a torch and they are on the march towards the house. They're on the paths, up the walls and im ready to tear my hair out. 
    Next door is vacant (overgrown grass) and the other side is paths and gravel.
    Would they nest in grass or soil? I ask because of the grassy area next door and the other side of the front footpath and I have the only garden with a bit of bare soil.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited April 2018
    Where do they seem to be marching from? Could they not be attracted to something rotting inside your house? I would imagine they would have to have a good reason to go to the trouble to try and get into your house. Something would be attracting them in.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Have you angered a local witch?  Pestilence upon your house, etc?  Give the rubber and frame around your door, and the door itself, a good scrub of dish soap and mild bleach solution, and see if that helps.  Perhaps you have some yummy algae or something growing around the door?
    Utah, USA.
  • floraltipsfloraltips Posts: 89
    I have no idea what's going on. I don't have any damp patches, condensation, musty smells or anything like that. I have lived here for over 40 years and have never had this problem before..just in last two or three years.
    Wonder if there is any way to trap them before the reach the house?

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Apparently they're attracted to the light ... have a look here 

    https://www.scotsman.com/news/invasion-of-the-millipedes-1-1432060 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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