---
title: "Should I be concerned that these baby millipedes are living in my…"
description: "Should I be concerned that these baby millipedes are living in my majesty palm? I just bought it a week or two ago, but I don’t want them possibly…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/EUmBx4nOo58KEtBfHhzU9O"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "kelsey"
published: "2025-10-06T21:17:25.411503Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Ysx4oPWjfd1oorH5Hcf6jdo6U8P_RtQw3KAUL8cJAZk/yDor5mz0TFmn5eqO64bW5w.webp?size=large"
---

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# Should I be concerned that these baby millipedes are living in my…

_Posted by kelsey on 2025-10-06_

Should I be concerned that these baby millipedes are living in my majesty palm? I just bought it a week or two ago, but I don’t want them possibly contaminating other plants.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Ysx4oPWjfd1oorH5Hcf6jdo6U8P_RtQw3KAUL8cJAZk/yDor5mz0TFmn5eqO64bW5w.webp?size=large)

## 6 comments

### Whitney commented on 2025-10-06

Millipedes mostly eat dead material kinda like rollie pollies do. I wouldn’t think they’d be harmful. If you handle them, wash your hands after because they can secrete cyanide. It won’t hurt you unless you get it in your mouth.

#### kelsey replied on 2025-10-06

Thank you!

#### Jneyman replied on 2025-10-06

Wait what?!?!? Millipedes secrete cyanide?!?

#### Whitney replied on 2025-10-06

Amongst other chemicals. It’s to make them taste bad. They don’t have many defenses otherwise. We used to have some as pets. They’re pretty cool!

### Waspinator commented on 2025-10-07

As far as getting millipedes out of your house goes: they're not affected by most pesticides. Physically remove any adults you find (shaking or tapping the pot can scare them out if you don't want to handle them directly) and change out your soil for new to deal with any hidden eggs. Remove any decaying plant material (dead leaves and stuff) and remove any small moist hiding spots between or under pots. Improve air flow to help things dry out between waterings. Also if you ever feel like keeping millipedes as pets, flat-backed millis are among the prettier species and can live 7-10 years

#### kelsey replied on 2025-10-07

Wow, thank you!

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