Lifted a pot and found this squirming mass of tiny gray coils on the damp soil. It looks like a living pile of metallic springs. Is this something to worry about?

9. make the area less inviting

If you want fewer millipedes around planters and close to the house, aim to reduce the moisture and hiding places. Water early in the morning instead of late evening so the surface can dry by nightfall. Thin mulch if it’s very thick; 2 inches is often enough for many beds, while 4 inches or more can stay damp for too long.

Remove boards, old nursery pots, stacks of wet leaves, and decaying clutter from problem areas. If a decorative pot sits directly on the soil all season, lift and rotate it every week or two. That one small habit can prevent a permanent damp hideout from forming underneath.

10. How to keep them from wandering indoors

Millipedes often end up indoors by accident, especially during very wet weather. They may crawl through small gaps under doors, around basement thresholds, or near sliding doors at ground level.