Perth Millipede Control Experts | Envirapest

Potuguese Millipedes. The Enemy Under Our Toes.

Over the past 30 years, Perth millipedes have steadily increased & invaded our homes. They’re a headache. In 2017, Portuguese millipedes treatments were carried out by Envirapest from Two Rocks to Dawesville & everywhere in-between. We sent DIY Nematodes kits & our custom built millipede light traps as far south as Albany & Esperance & as far east as Victoria. Perth millipedes are a problem. We all know it. They have settled into our terrain & they love it. So Envirapest has decided to do something about it. To add to our custom built millipede light traps this year, Envirapest have developed a brand new “easy to use” DIY nematode release kit to suit all home sizes and properties. Envirapest were awarded WA pest manager of the year for 2017/18. Our water based & odourless millipede barrier treatments give instant relief, are cost effective, & the safest in Perth.

# Perth Millipedes. The Life…

Portuguese Millipedes (Ommatoiulus moreletii) belong to a group of insects called Myriapoda. There are several different types of native Australian millipedes. Most are brown in colour, have a bumpy appearance and are usually found in low numbers. However, the Portuguese millipedes have a smooth, black cylindrical body. They curl up into a circle as a defence mechanism & make thrashing, snake like movements when disturbed. They also secrete a yellow liquid that can stain paving and walls.

Millipedes feed on leaf litter, decaying wood & other vegetable matter. They reproduce in autumn and early winter – depending on seasonal rain. The female millipede lays around 200 eggs in the soil. Young Perth millipedes (nymphs) remain in the soil for about 6 months before they emerge as juvenile millipedes in spring. This is why we all see a re-emergence after the first spring rains. They are tough little buggers and can survive without food and water for many, many weeks.

Portuguese Millipedes. The Arrival…

Portuguese Millipedes were accidentally introduced into South Australia in the 1950’s. They hitched a ride on ships sailing from Portugal. Since that date, millipedes have spread to most state, including Tasmania. Perth millipedes were first recorded in the Roleystone area in 1986 and have since spread… well.. almost everywhere.

Getting On The Front Foot. Perth Millipede Control…

Perth millipedes can be difficult to eliminate completely so experience is key. A combination attack method can sometimes be the best approach. Portuguese millipedes are highly attracted to light. Therefore, your home or office, is an invasion hotspot when that sun goes down. So turn off external lights when not needed & even try to limit the light that escapes through blinds and windows. Crazy, we know. They simply love the light that much.

Make sure you have weather strips on your doors and door seals in place. Millipedes love to breed in organic matter such as garden beds. Diminishing this food supply near your home or office will help a lot. Minimising garden beds near building walls & raking up leaf litter regularly, will help reduce millipede numbers. This will also help with Termite Control. 

Biological Control – Nematodes. DIY Release Kits. Natures Lil Helper.

Envirapest are excited to be able to offer a unique biological control method. Its Envirapest exclusive & for the control of Portuguese Millipedes only. This control is in the form of an Australian native nematode called rhabditis necromena. Following our friends in South Australia’s foot steps, Envirapest carried out its own Perth millipede trials in recent years. The results have been quite unbelievable.

Natures nematodes (rhabditis necromena) can dramatically decrease millipede populations and speed up mother nature without the use of pesticides. The nematodes are a natural predator for millipedes & because they are native, will not become a pest themselves (they are already here in our WA soil). The nematode is specific to millipedes only and will not harm any other insect, plant or animal. Envirapest are excited to release a brand new product for 2018. Our new DIY nematode release kits are suitable for Perth properties big or small. We have also custom built larger millipede light traps, for rural & commercial clients, that can be purchased with our nematodes.

Water Based Protection Barriers…

Our odourless chemical treatments are an excellent line of defence. They can be sprayed around your home, office or garden dramatically reducing millipede numbers. When they come in contact with the product, the millipedes will simply die. When applying pesticides you should always enlist the help of a professional. Pest controllers are highly trained & have access to high quality products unavailable to the general public. Chemical barriers will need to be reapplied reguarly to have the most effective results.

Millipede Light Traps. Envirapest Built. The WA Way…

The Envirapest team have developed our very own millipede light traps. We noticed the gap in the market & decided to something about it. There wasn’t a suitable millipede light trap available to the public. So we ended up doing the hard yards and built our own. After years of research and trials, Envirapest can now offer quality, WA made, millipede light traps that last a lifetime. Our millipede light traps are a great, stand alone, chemical-free control option. They can be used in conjunction with a nematode release, or with a more traditional liquid millipede barrier treatment.