More Occasional Invaders
Pillbugs, Sowbugs, Millipedes, Centipedes, Boxelder Bugs
Pillbugs and sowbugs are closely related to shrimp, crabs and lobsters. Although they may occasionally invade the home, they normally prefer moist areas outdoors at the soil surface in mulched flowerbeds, leaf litter, grass clippings and other debris around foundations. However, cracks between slabs and porches and in basement walls provide excellent hiding places from which these occasional invaders can enter homes
These pests do not pose an economic or health threat to humans. Centipedes usually are too small to injure humans. However, large centipedes (4 to 5 inches long) can inflict a wound similar to a bee sting. Annoyance from the presence of these invaders inside the home is the main concern with this group of pests.

• Pillbugs and sowbugs
  Pillbugs and sowbugs will enter the basement and first floor of a home through cracks and crevices in the foundation and walls. Their presence indoors is a good sign that considerable numbers are present in the soil outside. These pests are very dependent on moisture, and unless there is an unusual moisture problem, these organisms do not survive indoors for longer than a few days.
• Pillbugs
  Pillbugs are dark gray to black, and are more round than sowbugs. The body is distinctly segmented with seven pairs of legs and two pairs of antennae. The abdomen has no tail-like appendages. Unlike sowbugs, pillbugs can roll into a tight ball when disturbed. This response makes them easy to distinguish from sowbugs and has earned them the nickname "roly-poly." The reproductive biology of pillbugs and sowbugs is similar. The eggs are deposited and hatch within a brood pouch, where they stay for up to 45 days before emerging.
  Pillbugs are nocturnal and remain inactive and hidden under objects during the day to reduce water loss. Avoiding water loss is important for them because they lack an outer waxy layer and cannot close their respiratory system. This leads to dehydration at low humidities.
  
  
• Sowbug
  Sowbugs are light gray to slate-colored, with slightly elongated bodies that can reach 1/2 inch in length. The body is distinctly segmented. Sowbugs have seven pairs of legs, two pairs of antennae and two prominent tail-like appendages.
  Female sowbugs retain eggs in a brood pouch for three to four weeks until they hatch. After hatching, the young remain in the pouch for up to a month. These newly hatched sowbugs resemble the adults except in size. Each female can produce broods of 25 to 75 young several times a year. They are nocturnal in habit, due to their susceptibility to desiccation.
  
  
• Millipedes
  Millipedes have long, many-segmented bodies with two pairs of legs on most of the segments. Their legs appear to ripple in waves as they move. They have a cigar-shape body that can be curled up when disturbed. They can remain curled up and motionless for long periods of time. Millipedes range in length from less than 1 inch to more than 4 inches.
  Millipedes may feed on rotting wood but will not attack sound wood.
  
  
• Centipedes
  Centipedes are flattened, elongate animals with many body segments, and one pair of legs attached to each segment. They are a reddish brown color. The antennae of centipedes are longer than those of millipedes and the legs of centipedes project laterally from the body, while the legs of millipedes are held beneath the body. In centipedes, the first pair of legs is modified into venomous fangs located immediately below the mouth. These fangs are used to kill insects and other small creatures that are used as food. Millipedes do not have fangs.
  Centipedes may occasionally enter homes. They may be found crawling on floors, in closets, storage rooms and other dark areas. They are found most in damp basements and other moist indoor areas.
  The common house centipede oes not look like a centipede, because of its extremely long legs and antennae. Their bodies are slightly over an inch long with 15 pairs of long legs. The antennae and the last pair of legs are nearly twice the body length. House centipedes are bluish gray, and the legs have a pattern of dark and light bands. They move quickly and are occasionally mistaken for long-legged spiders.They are very beneficial because they eat spiders and household insect pests. House centipedes usually are found in damp basements and other moist indoor areas. They are not a health threat to humans or pets.
  
  
• Management
  The first step in managing infestations of sowbugs, pillbugs, millipedes and centipedes is to remove vegetation and other organic matter such as rotting wood or clippings from the soil surface around the foundation of your home. Minimize watering near the foundation as well. Removing debris and moisture will reduce the likelihood that sowbugs, pillbugs, millipedes and centipedes will enter the home. A program of continued sanitation close to the building, such as cleaning up or removing piles of rocks, boards, leaves, compost, and general refuse, will help reduce populations of these pests.
  Check the basement, foundation, and first-floor entrances for cracks and crevices and use caulking or other filling materials to minimize the number of entry points around doors, basement windows and other openings. In addition, reduce water seepage and ventilation problems so that damp hiding places are eliminated.

• These nymphs mature in August and September and cause concern to homeowners by congregating in large numbers on trunks of host trees. However, greatest concern usually is during the fall when the adult bugs congregate on the south side of structures and then enter in search of winter hibernation quarters. They hide in small cracks and crevices in the attic, walls, doors and window casings. They also may hide under siding and under trash around the foundation of the home and even in leaves left in gutters.
  During warm winter days and in early spring, they are a nuisance as they crawl or fly in the home. They produce no odor, nor do they damage or injure wood, cloth, fruits, vegetables, humans or other animals.
• Control
  Boxelder bugs eat Boxelder trees. Removing the trees will take care of the bugs. If however you do not wish to remove the trees then there are some things you can do to prevent their entrance into your home. However when squashed they can stain carpet and clothing.
• Place screen wire inside the vents in the attic and eaves.
• Repair and caulk places where bugs may enter the home, such as cracks around doors, windows and siding and in the foundation.
• Eliminate hiding places such as piles of rocks, boards, leaves and general debris close to homes.
• Rake leaves, weeds and grass from a strip 6 to 10 feet wide around the foundation, particularly on the south and west sides of the structure. Such a barrier strip discourages congregation of bugs near the foundation.