Dead Worms Might Be Millipedes

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A reader recently reached out to us about some “yucky little guys” that she found in her apartment. She explained that she swept up some dead ones in her living room and bedroom. She also mentioned that there isn’t carpeting in either room. She would like to know what the organisms are and how she can make them go away. The photograph she sent displays two tiny worm-like organisms in the palm of her hand. They are both brown, though one is darker brown and one is lighter brown. They are curled into tiny C-shapes, and appear to have segmented bodies with minuscule legs:

We think these might be millipedes! Although millipedes are arthropods, not worms, we still write about them all the time. They are small creatures that have brown segmented bodies lined with legs. Each segment of the body of a millipede has two pairs of jointed legs. We often identify millipedes by the C-shape they curl into or by their legs, but sometimes their legs are curled up into their bodies and aren’t able to be seen.

Although millipedes do end up in houses and garages pretty often, they aren’t common household pests. In other words, while they do appear from time to time and can certainly be annoying, they typically don’t breed in a house or feed on or destroy household items. Millipedes usually live in leaf litter, where they can feed on decaying wood and other debris. They enjoy a damp and dark outdoor environment, but sometimes wander into a home when the weather is changing outside and becoming drier and hotter. The millipedes our reader found might have crawled in through an open door, unsealed window, or crack in the ventilation system. We recommend that our reader get rid of the dead millipedes she has found, and then work on preventing more millipedes from sneaking in. She should seal up any potential entry points and clear away any debris from around the outside of her apartment building. This should reduce the number of millipedes hanging around near her building, and hopefully result in fewer sneaking into her home.

In conclusion, one of our readers discovered some brown worm-like organisms in her home. We think they are likely millipedes. Fortunately, millipedes don’t sting or bite, or damage household goods or furniture.

 

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Dead Worms Might Be Millipedes
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Dead Worms Might Be Millipedes
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One of our readers discovered some brown worm-like organisms in her home. We think they are likely millipedes. Fortunately, millipedes don't sting or bite, or damage household goods or furniture.
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Author: Worm Researcher Dori

2 thoughts on “Dead Worms Might Be Millipedes

  1. What are dead worms as I had somebody mention to me dead worms and ever since then it’s made me a bit funny I wasn’t sure if they had it or weather it was a type of worm species that there might be because I have found a couple of worms on the carpet at home where my niece was standing and wasn’t sure if they had come outta her bum and had fallen onto the carpet cause it was right under where she had been standing but it’s grosse and not normal to find worms ? where my niece had been standing they appears to be dead but I wasn’t to sure why somebody I new mentioned dead worms befor I actually found them on the floor so I’m just wondering what they actually are if you could describe in detail where they actually come from and is it a type of worm species that there is out there ?

  2. I see it’s been a few years now since this post was written, but I’m pretty sure those look more like larder beetle larvae to me vs what the other person said.

    Please lmk if you see this/figured it out! I’m curious if they’re what I think they are! (Larder beetles are kind of elongated, & dark brown/black with a lighter brownish band around the middle…that’s what the “worms” eventually turn into if that’s what they are…I learned this by them unfortunately getting into my damn house, & I’m still battling them…they’re quite annoying)

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