Centipede & Millipede Control in Wilmington

Treating the Moisture Problem Behind the Pest Problem

Centipedes and millipedes are occasional invader pests, meaning they don’t come inside looking for food or a place to nest. They follow moisture. When they start showing up in bathrooms, basements, or crawl spaces, something in or around the home is keeping conditions damp enough to attract them. Jay Taylor Exterminating has been handling exactly this kind of situation for Wilmington, North Carolina, homeowners since 1941, and our crawl space moisture control services let us address the underlying cause rather than just the pest you see.

Founded by J.W. Taylor, Sr. and now run by the fourth generation of the Taylor family, we build pest control plans around each home’s specific conditions. Centipede and millipede sightings are a signal worth taking seriously, and we’re here to help you read it correctly.

Call us at (910) 586-3788 to schedule a free at-home estimate. Customers who call before noon can receive same-day service.

House Centipedes vs. Millipedes: How to Tell Them Apart

Both pests get grouped together because they show up in the same damp places, but they look and behave quite differently.

House Centipedes
House centipedes have long, flattened bodies with a single pair of legs per segment. They move fast and are most active at night. Because they prey on other insects and spiders, spotting them indoors often means other pest activity is already present somewhere in the house.

Garden Millipedes
Millipedes are rounder and slower, with a cylindrical, many-segmented body and two pairs of legs per segment. They feed on decaying organic matter like leaf litter and mulch rather than other insects. They’re typically seen during the day and can’t survive indoors more than a few days unless conditions stay wet.

Neither pest poses a serious health threat. A centipede may deliver a mild bite if handled roughly, and some millipedes release a defensive secretion that irritates sensitive skin, but neither spreads disease. The real concern is what their presence tells you about moisture conditions in and around the home.

Our Centipede & Millipede Control in Wilmington, NC

Effective treatment starts with trained eyes. Our technicians identify where these pests are entering, what’s attracting them, and whether a moisture issue is sustaining the problem. We use kid- and pet-friendly products throughout the treatment process.

When crawl space conditions are contributing to the infestation, we can address that directly. Our moisture control services include installation of a reinforced vapor liner, foundation vent sealing, dehumidifier installation, and sump pump installation. Reducing humidity under the home changes the environment these pests depend on.

We’re members of both the National Pest Management Association and the North Carolina Pest Management Association, and we serve homeowners across New Hanover, Brunswick, Columbus, Onslow, and Pender counties, including Ocean Isle Beach.