Are Millipedes Poisonous? What DC Area Homeowners Need to Know

If you’ve found a multi-legged creature crawling across your basement floor, your first question is probably: “Is this thing dangerous?” The good news is that millipedes are not poisonous in the way you might think. They can’t bite you, sting you, or inject venom. But that doesn’t mean they’re completely harmless either.

As a licensed pest control technician with over 5 years of experience in the DC metro area, I’ve helped dozens of homeowners deal with millipede problems. In this guide, I’ll explain exactly what risks millipedes do pose, how they compare to their more dangerous cousins (centipedes), and what to do if you’re seeing them in your home.

The Short Answer: Millipedes Are Not Venomous

Let’s clear up some terminology first. Venomous means an animal can inject toxins through a bite or sting. Poisonous means the animal is harmful if you eat it or touch it. Millipedes are neither venomous nor truly poisonous to humans.

According to the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, millipedes do not bite or sting, and they pose no direct threat to humans. They don’t have fangs, stingers, or any way to inject venom into you.

However, millipedes do have a defense mechanism that can cause irritation. When threatened or handled roughly, many millipede species release a fluid from glands along the sides of their body. This is where things get a bit more complicated.

What Are Millipede Defensive Secretions?

When a millipede feels threatened, it curls into a tight coil and releases chemicals from pores along its body. These secretions can contain:

• Benzoquinones (irritating compounds)
• Hydrogen cyanide (in small, non-lethal amounts)
• Phenols and organic acids
• Hydrochloric acid (in some species)

What does the research say?

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, millipede secretions can cause local skin discoloration, edema (swelling), blisters, and a burning sensation that may last several days. Some larger tropical species can spray these defensive fluids up to 32 inches.

The good news? The millipedes common in the DC metro area, Maryland, and Northern Virginia are typically smaller species. Their secretions, while potentially irritating, are unlikely to cause serious harm to healthy adults.

Symptoms of Millipede Exposure

If you handle a millipede or accidentally crush one, you might experience:

• Mild skin irritation or redness
• Itching or burning sensation
• Brown or mahogany staining on the skin
• Temporary blistering (in sensitive individuals)

These symptoms usually go away on their own within a few hours to a few days. Simply washing the affected area with soap and water for several minutes is usually enough to resolve the issue.

Are Millipedes Poisonous to Dogs and Cats?

Pet owners often worry about their curious dogs or cats encountering millipedes. Here’s what you need to know:

Millipedes are generally not dangerous to pets. However, if your dog or cat tries to eat a millipede, the defensive secretions can cause:

• Excessive drooling
• Pawing at the mouth
• Vomiting
• Temporary oral irritation

Most pets learn quickly that millipedes taste terrible and avoid them in the future. If your pet shows persistent symptoms or seems distressed, contact your veterinarian.

Millipedes vs. Centipedes: Know the Difference

One of the biggest sources of confusion I see is homeowners mixing up millipedes and centipedes. This matters because centipedes can actually bite and are venomous.

Key Differences:

Feature	Millipede	Centipede
Legs per segment	Two pairs	One pair
Body shape	Rounded, cylindrical	Flat
Movement	Slow, wave-like	Fast, darting
Diet	Decaying plant matter	Insects, spiders (predator)
Defense	Curls up, secretes fluids	Bites with venomous fangs
Danger level	Low (irritation only)	Moderate (painful bite)

According to the Oklahoma State University Extension, centipede bites are similar to bee stings in most cases. People with allergies to insect venoms may have more severe reactions. Millipedes, by contrast, cannot bite at all.

Why Are Millipedes in Your House?

Understanding why millipedes invade homes helps you prevent future problems. Millipedes are moisture-loving creatures that primarily live outdoors in damp areas like:

• Under leaf litter and mulch
• In rotting logs and compost
• Beneath rocks and landscaping stones
• In thick ground cover plants

They typically enter homes when:

1. Outdoor conditions become too wet (heavy rain floods their habitat)
2. Outdoor conditions become too dry (they seek indoor moisture)
3. Fall temperatures drop (they look for shelter)

Millipedes often enter through:

• Gaps under doors
• Cracks in the foundation
• Basement windows and window wells
• Utility penetrations (pipes, wires)

How to Prevent Millipedes From Entering Your Home

Based on my experience with pest control in the Alexandria, Fairfax, and Bethesda areas, here are the most effective prevention steps:

1. Reduce Moisture Around Your Foundation

• Fix leaky outdoor faucets and hoses
• Ensure gutters drain away from the house
• Grade soil so water flows away from the foundation
• Use a dehumidifier in damp basements

2. Create a Dry Zone

• Keep mulch at least 12 inches away from your foundation
• Remove leaf litter, grass clippings, and debris near the house
• Avoid overwatering landscaping beds next to the home

3. Seal Entry Points

• Install door sweeps on exterior doors
• Caulk cracks in the foundation
• Seal gaps around pipes, wires, and utility entries
• Repair damaged window screens

4. Reduce Outdoor Habitat

• Remove rotting wood, logs, and stumps near the house
• Turn over compost piles regularly
• Keep firewood stored away from the home

When to Call a Pest Control Professional

Most occasional millipede sightings don’t require professional treatment. However, you should consider calling a licensed technician if:

• You’re seeing large numbers of millipedes (dozens or more)
• They’re appearing repeatedly despite your prevention efforts
• You have a basement moisture problem you can’t solve
• You’re not sure if you’re dealing with millipedes or centipedes

At Better Termite & Pest Control, our registered technicians use targeted, EPA-approved products to create a barrier around your home. We also identify the moisture sources and entry points that are allowing millipedes inside in the first place.

With over 57 years in business and more than 1,000 five-star reviews, we’ve helped homeowners across the DC metro area solve all kinds of pest problems. Every product we use is something we’d feel comfortable using in our own homes.

What to Do If You Get Millipede Secretions on Your Skin

If you’ve handled a millipede and notice irritation:

1. Wash the area with soap and water for several minutes
2. Don’t touch your face or eyes until your hands are clean
3. Apply a cool compress if there’s burning or itching
4. Use 1% hydrocortisone cream if irritation persists
5. Watch for allergic reactions (rare but possible)

Most symptoms resolve within a few hours. If irritation continues for more than a day or two, or if you develop severe symptoms, consult a healthcare provider.

The Bottom Line on Millipede Safety

Millipedes are not poisonous or venomous. They cannot bite or sting. While their defensive secretions can cause mild skin irritation in some people, they pose minimal risk to healthy adults, children, and pets.

The main issue with millipedes is that they’re a nuisance pest. Finding them in your home usually indicates a moisture problem that should be addressed. And if you’re seeing centipedes instead (which do have venomous bites), you’ll want to take that more seriously.

If you’re dealing with millipedes in your Northern Virginia or DC-area home and want professional help, give us a call at 703-683-2000 or email us at info@bettertermite.com. We’re happy to answer your questions or schedule an inspection to identify what’s attracting these moisture-loving pests to your home.

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